Becca Cruger has been promoted to director of workforce development at the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation (EDC). This move reinforces the critical nature of the EDC workforce development strategy and Cruger’s expanding role at the EDC and throughout the region.
Cruger, who joined the EDC in 2017, has taken on increasing responsibility since she was first hired as the strategic initiatives coordinator. Many of the EDC’s workforce initiatives did not exist even 10 years ago, and Cruger has played an integral role in expanding workforce retention and recruitment efforts in the community including Greater Grand Forks: Way Cooler Than You Think!, the Northern Valley Career Expo, and InternGF, as well as partnering with other agencies for programs like Accelerate to Industry (A2i) and Career Conversations.
Cruger’s impact is being noticed within the region, throughout North Dakota and nationally. In 2021 alone, Governor Burgum appointed Cruger to the North Dakota Workforce Development Council, she was named to the International Economic Development Council’s Young Professionals Advisory Committee, and she was recognized in Prairie Business’s 40 under 40 list. In the fall of 2021, Cruger and other contributing team members won the 21st Century Workforce Award for the Governor’s 2021 Main Street Awards for the Greater Grand Forks Relocation Guide, the “What’s Cooler Today?” blog, and InternGF.
“The Grand Forks Region EDC’s role in regional workforce development has expanded over the past five years, which is a direct result of Becca’s ongoing and increasing leadership,” said EDC President & CEO Keith Lund. “She is an outstanding team member who is passionate about the region and connecting companies to resources to help them drive success.”