- The EDC is part of a coalition of business, education, and industry leaders in the Grand Forks region that are moving forward with a grant application to create a career and technical education workforce center. The CTE center would allow students to enter a career path more quickly and affordably. Read more here.
- Governor Burgum held a round table discussion in Grand Forks on workforce concerns, challenges, and solutions with various industry leaders including staff members from the EDC.
- The JDA approved its first loan from the Accelerate Grand Forks Loan Program, which is designed to support early-stage technology companies get established and grow in the region. Grand Forks-based drone company First-i was awarded a $250,000 loan on July 19 to commercialize a tethered drone product to be used in public safety and emergency response.
- Airtonomy was selected as one of 13 semi-finalists in GENIUS NY, a New York-based business accelerator competition, for its innovations in UAS. Companies were selected from a highly competitive pool of nearly 600 submissions from more than 50 countries.
- EDC Business Development Director Brandon Baumbach attended the Chamber’s “Return to the West” event earlier this month. The objectives of the event were to build and strengthen relationships with our business partners in the west, develop a better understanding of what the challenges and opportunities are, and connect with elected officials to identify and strategize potential east-west partnerships.
- InternGF awarded seven companies over $16,000 in funding for the second application cycle of 2021. Now in its fourth year, the program is designed to increase the number of local internships, aiding employers’ workforce recruitment and retention efforts by introducing UND students to career and entrepreneurial opportunities in the greater Grand Forks region.
- The EDC hosted a roundtable discussion with a Gateway to Science team from Bismarck, N.D., and local UAS industry leaders to generate input for creating a UAS exhibit for the state science center. Some goals of the exhibit are to promote UAS applications happening in the state, provide a hands-on lab experience in the form of a drone or simulator, and educate youth and the public about UAS.
- North Dakota joined the National Defense Industrial Association as part of its 30th Chapter. They now represent the Northern Tier alongside Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming. The 5-state chapter’s goals include educating stakeholders about arms control issues, bombers, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and upgrades to nuclear command, control, and communication.
- Fenworks E-Sports is now a member of the EDC! The Grand Forks startup company is dedicated to giving all kids the opportunity to utilize video games in an educational manner.
- Check out the article “Why Young Professionals Are Flocking to Grand Forks, ND”. The region’s YPs were featured in Livability, a national platform showcasing what makes small to mid-sized cities great places to live.
The EDC is preparing a monthly report on key regional economic indicators. Click here to see June’s Economy at a Glance.