The Career Impact Academy announces $645,000 more commitments to support development of the career and technical education center in Grand Forks. The donations will be used to unlock matching grant dollars up to $10 million that’s available from the North Dakota State Department of Career and Technical Education. These are the latest companies to invest in the Career Impact Academy:
| Rydell GM Auto | $150,000 |
| Acme Tools | $125,000 |
| Custom Aire | $100,000 |
| Bears Home Solutions | $50,000 |
| Choice Bank | $50,000 |
| Pro Transport & Leasing | $50,000 |
| RJ Zavoral & Sons | $50,000 |
| Bremer Bank | $25,000 |
| Greenberg Realty | $25,000 |
| Northstar Insulation | $10,000 |
| CPS, Ltd. | $10,000 |
So far, the Career Impact Academy steering committee has raised $6.5 million from community partners with nearly $3 million of pending requests.
“We continue to be inspired by the level of industry support for this critically important workforce development project,” said Keith Lund, Grand Forks Region EDC President & CEO. “This is one of the most rewarding developments I’ve had the pleasure to work because I believe the Career Impact Academy will have such a positive impact on students and industry in the region”.
The Career Impact Academy will provide learners with real-world, hands-on learning spaces to explore high-wage, in-demand career fields in the Grand Forks region. The Academy will offer students specialized training, allowing them to become career ready or college prepared. The commitments of investments continue to gain momentum from local businesses and organizations.
Once operational, the Career Impact Academy will offer career programming to both high school and adult learners. One example of this will be the array of medical field training available. High schoolers participating in the Career Impact Academy will be able to complete their high school diploma while obtaining credentials like CPR certification, or credits toward a college degree or certificate. Participating post-secondary institutions will provide training pathways, certifications, and degree programs for adult learners. Similar pathways will be created in the construction, building trades, precision agriculture technology, advanced manufacturing, engineering, unmanned systems, computer science career fields, and more.
A steering committee comprised of leaders from regional public entities, educational institutions, and industry leaders have been developing a grant application to seek $10 million dollars in funding to support capital costs needed to build the Career Impact Academy. Grant funds must be matched locally on a $1 per $1 basis and can include cash or in-kind contributions. The application will be submitted to the state by December 1, 2021.
More information about the Career Impact Academy can be found at GrandForks.org/CareerImpactAcademy.