- According to The Council for Community & Economic Research (C2ER), Grand Forks is 9.3% more affordable to live in than the average US community. This report identifies Grand Forks as the most affordable North Dakota metro on the Cost of Living Index.
- Philadelphia Macaroni Company has acquired pasta company A. Zerega’s Sons, making it the largest privately owned pasta company in North America. The Grand Forks facility is considered the company’s “flagship property.” Read more.
- Forbes featured Rhombus Guys in a piece about the unique challenges restaurants who have locations in multiple states face as they navigate pandemic operations under conflicting guidelines. Watch here
- EDC President and CEO Keith Lund was named to Mayor Brown’s Economic Response Advisory Group. The purpose of the group is to inform the City of Grand Forks’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic by reviewing data and providing their collaborative insight to the Grand Forks City Council.
- Congratulations to EDC Workforce Development Manager Becca Cruger on being awarded the North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations Emerging Leader Award. Thank you for all the cool work you do, Becca! #gfiscooler
- The EDC and Chamber of Commerce collaborated on a business survey to understand the overall impact of COVID-19 on regional businesses, business confidence outlook, and greater insight on employment.
- Svea Olson has joined the EDC team as an intern. Olson will be working on search engine optimization (SEO) projects for the Greater Grand Forks: Way Cooler Than You Think! initiative.
- It’s awesome to watch UAS innovation happening in our backyard… literally! From stores to backyards via drone delivery, Flytrex is proving that the sky’s the limit in Grand Forks. Watch here
- North Dakota small businesses secured more Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds, relative to the state’s workforce, than businesses in any other state- More than $5,000 per private-sector worker as of May 8. Full story
- The Bank of North Dakota has released two business financing programs to assist North Dakota businesses with impacts of COVID-19. Loans must be applied for through your local lender.
The Small Employer Loan Fund (SELF) will provide a loan of up to $50,000 to small businesses with a full-time employee equivalent (FTE) of 10 employees or less. SELF info sheet
The COVID-19 PACE Recovery Program (CPRP) will provide a loan of up to $5 million for businesses of less than 500 employees and a loan of up to $10 million for businesses with more than 500 employees. CPRP info sheet