Ross spoke on “Our Region, Our Future” following a luncheon at the State Fair Center Thursday.

“Every contribution matters to the overall collective success of our region,” he said. “Collaboration, partnerships, cooperation. Those things happen in every one of our communities on a regular basis. Those ideals help make our communities, large and small, successful and working toward a common goal of good for all of our residents. But collaboration, partnerships and cooperation between communities themselves is equally vital to the future success of our region and our state. In Minot, we’re certainly mindful of the role we play in north central North Dakota. We’ve grown into a regional resource and a destination, but it wouldn’t be possible without the support and contributions of other communities in our region. We take our role as a regional hub seriously, and we welcome the challenges that come along with that responsibility.”

Ross held a mayors’ roundtable attended by mayors of five area communities prior to his address. The roundtable discussion included tourism, the intermodal facility, Northwest Area Water Supply Project and the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection project. The group also heard from a representative of the League of Cities.

In his address, Ross highlighted Minot’s medical services, businesses and shopping, regional water supply, flood protection, landfill, intermodal facility, arts and entertainment, sports facilities and educational institutions as well as major events such as Norsk Hostfest and the North Dakota State Fair that make Minot a regional resource and a destination.

Area mayors listen to a presentation while participating in a mayors’ roundtable prior to Minot’s State of the City event Thursday. Mayors sitting around the table clockwise from front are Arlen Gartner of Kenmare, Dean Halstengard from Bergen, Kevin Naumann from Maxbass and Tom Witteman from Mohall. Standing in back is Surrey Mayor Michael Thiesen and at the table at right is Minot Mayor Tom Ross, Anna Schraeder, administrative assistant with the Minot city manager and mayor offices, stands behind Ross.

He singled out the leadership of Bob Schempp, who died in January at age 92, in making the Northwest Area Water Supply project happen.

“I”m happy to say that after a couple of decades of work, NAWS is closer to reality than it’s ever been,” Ross said.

He also singled out Minot Air Force Base as a partner in every aspect of life in the city and many cities in the region.

“They are essential to the fabric of our community,” he said.

Ross referenced the sisu of Minot. Sisu is a Finnish word variously translated as stoic determination, tenacity of purpose, grit, bravery, resilience and hardiness. Visit Minot recently rolled out a new initiative around Minot’s sisu.

Minot Mayor Tom Ross, left, talks with Mohall Mayor Tom Witteman following his State of the City address on “Our Region, Our Future” Thursday.

“There are endless examples of sisu in our community,” Ross said, identifying the resilience of the Roosevelt Park Zoo. Following recovery from the 2011 flood, the zoo found itself in the path of enhanced flood protection.

“But instead of lamenting the necessary changes, the Minot Park District has embraced the coming changes as an opportunity to make the zoo even better for the future,” he said.

“Sisu is there for every one of our small towns and our bigger cities. We just have to look for it,” Ross said.

“We embrace the often difficult or sometimes unpopular decisions that must be made to keep Minot and all of our cities moving forward. In our future, we commit ourselves to keeping our eyes firmly focused on the future of our communities, as we learn from both our past mistakes and our previous successes,” he said. “Moving forward, my hope is that all of our communities continue to celebrate each other’s successes and offer support and assistance, too, in the face of adversity.”