The Grand Forks City Council expanded the Grand Forks Growth Fund Committee at its December 21 meeting. Amy Whitney, director at the UND Center for Innovation, and Russell Crary, realtor and developer at Crary Real Estate, were unanimously approved as new committee members. Whitney and Crary were nominated by the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation (EDC) board of directors as a result of an ordinance change that occurred earlier this month. Prior to the change, the Growth Fund Committee was comprised of five members, two of which are nominated by the EDC and confirmed by the Council. The ordinance change expanded the committee to seven, four of which are nominated by the EDC.
“We commend the Grand Forks City Council on its decision to expand the Growth Fund Committee to increase citizen participation in the economic development process,” said Keith Lund, EDC President & CEO. “Ms. Whitney’s experience working with entrepreneurs, start-up companies, and University spin-off ventures and Mr. Crary’s expertise as a business owner and real estate developer will be an asset to the Growth Fund Committee. We are tremendously grateful at their willingness to offer their talents to serve the region.”
The Grand Forks Growth Fund, established in 1987, is the City’s primary economic development financing program. It has been managed since 1995 by the Growth Fund, a Jobs Development Authority with advice from the Growth Fund Committee. The goal of the Grand Forks Growth Fund is to encourage the creation of new jobs, enhance the economic climate, save existing jobs, create new wealth, enhance the local property tax base, encourage capital investment, and diversify the local economy.
The Grand Forks Region EDC works collaboratively to foster an environment that attracts innovative people and business investment to Grand Forks County and the surrounding region, enhancing economic vitality for long-term prosperity and growth.
