The Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation (EDC) will host its annual meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 30 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks. Former Secretary of Agriculture, North Dakota Governor, and interim president of UND Ed Schafer is the keynote speaker.
The EDC board of directors will present its 2017 Impact Awards, which honor businesses or individuals for making a positive and significant impact on economic growth and prosperity in the Grand Forks region. Board members will also be elected.
The event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP online at grandforks.org or call 701.746.2720.
Schafer is one of very few leaders with extensive experience and proven performance in both business and government. He has led a multi-national consumer products business and several entrepreneurial start-up companies in addition to public service positions at the state and federal levels.
“Our keynote speaker, with his experiences in public and private leadership positions, has been instrumental in shaping the foundation of our state’s economy. He is a champion for embracing growth, encouraging entrepreneurship, and engaging communities,” said EDC President & CEO Klaus Thiessen.
The EDC is a non-profit organization that leads business expansion, retention, recruitment, and workforce development initiatives to expand the regional economy and create new employment opportunities.
“The EDC continues to broaden its scope, responding to the needs of the region,” Thiessen said. “We work to be a collaborative partner with stakeholders, promote our region’s tremendous assets for business expansion, and ensure our community is progressive and growing.”