City of Mandan honors refinery for community impact

Community News

Mandan, North Dakota, foundation, award
Mandan City Commission
The Outstanding Supporter for the City of Mandan award presentation took place during a meeting of the Mandan City Commission. Front row (L to R): Deputy Police Chief Jason Bier, Mandan Refinery General Manager Joshua Dorfmueller, Mandan Mayor Tim Helbling, Commissioner Joe Camisa and Communications Specialist Kari Schmidt. Back row (L to R): Fire Chief/Public Works Director Mitch Bitz, Marathon Petroleum Senior Human Resources Business Partner Jody Skogen, Marathon Petroleum Senior Administrative Assistant Kari Leier, Commissioner Dennis Rohr and Commissioner Brad Olson. 
  • The city of Mandan, North Dakota, recognized Marathon Petroleum’s Mandan refinery for its ongoing efforts to meet local community needs.
  • The city recently presented the refinery with an Outstanding Supporter for the City of Mandan award, noting the impact of more than $100,000 in grants over the past couple of years.
  • Among other assistance, the grants have helped fund tree-planting initiatives, an irrigation project and the purchase of a special emergency response vehicle for the police department.

“A great neighbor.” This is just one way representatives of the city of Mandan, North Dakota, describe Marathon Petroleum’s Mandan refinery because of its community involvement. The city recently formalized its gratitude to the refinery with the Outstanding Supporter for the City of Mandan award, citing the refinery’s efforts year after year to identify local needs it could help meet.

“Marathon is truly an outstanding community supporter, not just to departments within the city of Mandan, but to the whole community in general,” City Administrator Jim Neubauer said. “Their impact reaches far and wide, and we’re a better community because of it.”

A side view of the Mandan utility task vehicle A back view of the Mandan utility task vehicle
One of the Mandan refinery’s grants allowed the Mandan Police Department to buy its first utility task vehicle, which can navigate through snowy terrain that’s inaccessible by conventional patrol vehicles.

“Marathon is truly an outstanding community supporter. Their impact reaches far and wide, and we’re a better community because of it.”

The company targets its community investment at promoting thriving communities, sustainability and workforce development. During the award ceremony, city officials highlighted recent grants from the refinery that reflect this approach: 

  • Law enforcement – The Mandan Police Department received a $35,000 grant to acquire two drones that are designed to assist with circumstances such as hostage situations, incident de-escalation, negotiations and special event security.
  • Environmental enhancement – A $20,000 grant to the Grounds Maintenance Division of Public Works supported two tree-planting initiatives and the expansion of an irrigation system.
  • Civic pride – The Business Development and Communications Department received $13,240 to replace banners on street poles leading into downtown that promote community attributes.
  • Emergency response – A $50,000 grant allowed the Mandan Police Department to purchase its first utility task vehicle, which can navigate through snowy terrain that is inaccessible by conventional patrol vehicles and has space for transporting medical patients. 

Mandan Refinery General Manager Joshua Dorfmueller and two refinery employees accepted the award at a meeting of the Mandan City Commission.

“We are grateful for this recognition because it represents what Marathon Petroleum is all about in the communities where we operate,” Dorfmueller said. “We focus on making contributions and working with local partners in ways that create positive, lasting impacts.”

A street banner with the word Opportunity printed on it.
The Mandan Business Development and Communications Department received a grant from the refinery for banners on street poles leading into downtown that promote community attributes.