- We cheated a bit and are adding today’s news to January’s highlights. The City Council just voted (on Monday, February 1) to approve tax exemptions for four redevelopment projects—three downtown and one on the UND campus. The Grand Forks School Board approved the applications last week. These projects total a $116 million investment in our community.
- SafetySpect, Inc., a California-based bio-tech company, moved their headquarters to Grand Forks, N.D. officially on January 1, 2021. Last summer, the company established an office in the University of North Dakota (UND) Center for Innovation as part of the North Dakota Bioscience Association (BioND).
- The StartUp Grand Forks program approved a loan for Software 701 LLC. They received a $30,000 loan to develop and market a computer program that aims to improve the success for businesses using Google and YouTube advertising.
- Amy’s Place LLC, a business that plans to start a lunch restaurant at the Grand Forks Air Force Base, also received a StartUp Grand Forks loan. The business will begin with lunch, then expand to breakfast and dinner options. This shows even more support for the GFAFB from our local community.
- The Grand Forks Growth Fund Committee approved Northstar Insulation for a FlexPACE loan. Northstar Insulation provides a unique product and service to the region by servicing primary sector companies in the area such as JR Simplot and American Crystal Sugar.
- Congratulations to Grand Forks Sen. Ray Holmberg on receiving the prestigious Henry Havig Award from the Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce. It’s the highest honor a person from Greater Grand Forks can receive for community service.
- Our EDC board of directors is starting off the year with a change of leadership: Jonathan Holth, community & client development manager at JLG, is now board chair; John Oncken, CEO of True North Equipment, is board vice chair; and Shawn Gaddie, division manager at AE2S Nexus, is secretary-treasurer.
- This year, the workforce development program Career Conversations will be held virtually on March 2 and 3. Thank you to everyone who signed up to be a mentor. Student registration is now open through February 19.
- Emily Windjue has joined the EDC team as a marketing and communications intern. Windjue will be working on content creation and other projects for the Greater Grand Forks: Way Cooler Than You Think! initiative.
- This past year wasn’t all bad. The EDC looked back at the top 20 happenings in the region in 2020 and shared one highlight per day. In case you missed it, you can find a full list here.
The EDC is preparing a monthly report on key regional economic indicators. Click here to see December’s Economy at a Glance.