1. Grand Forks Hosts EDND Conference, Showcases Region
The Grand Forks region came together to host the state-wide Economic Development Association of North Dakota 2024 Spring Conference from April 30th to May 2nd! Over 150 people registered for the conference, breaking records for the largest number of attendees. Several communities from across the state were represented: Williston, Watford City, Bowman, New Salem, Bismarck, Oakes, Fargo, Grafton, Cavalier, and more.
Cloud 9 Events and The Olive Ann Hotel served as the primary event space and hotel. Attendees had the opportunity to tour Grand Sky and see General Atomics and Northrop Grumman facilities, experience the new and exciting developments downtown, hear from leaders across the state about financing programs, workforce attraction and development initiatives, site selectors about the site selection process, data, and marketing.
EDC Director of Workforce Development Becca Cruger, Operations Manager Bridget West, and Marketing & Communications Manager Mark Maliskey all participated in panel presentations to showcase the work they do in their respective areas.
EDND staff noted that Grand Forks raised the bar, providing tremendous support through the planning committee and sponsorships, and the beautiful spaces available in the community.
2. Air Service Consultant Hired to Secure Additional Air Service, Complete Survey to Provide Support
The Mayor’s Air Service Expansion Committee has made great progress in securing additional air service as the City of Grand Forks has engaged The Meehan Aviation Group for support. Meehan will work alongside the city and EDC to engage the business community and capture Grand Forks business air travel data to position the region for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Small Community Air Service Development Program. With about two months to complete this work, time is of the essence for Grand Forks leaders and businesses to lean in on this critical initiative. Thank you to Mayor Brandon Bochenski’s leadership on this issue so we can continue to make the Grand Forks region the best it can be.
As part of this effort, the committee is requesting business leaders complete a 3-minute online survey of their organization’s air travel and requirements. Survey results will remain confidential and used only in the aggregate during discussions with airlines to help attract nonstop service to GFK. Only one response per business is necessary.
3. UND EERC Awarded $11 Million
UND EERC was awarded $11.6 million for research related to enhanced oil recovery and carbon capture! Funding was made available by the US Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management. Funds will enable the EERC to conduct 18 months of field and laboratory research studying the viability of injecting CO2 into unconventional oil reservoirs for enhanced oil recovery and long-term emissions storage. The Grand Forks region continues to lead energy research and innovation. Congratulations, EERC!
4. Thread Receives Additional $2.5 Million Wonder Fund Investment
Thread has been awarded an additional $2.5 million from the North Dakota Wonder Fund! An initial $2.5 million investment was made from the fund in 2023. The latest funding will help Thread grow and scale as utility providers undergo a once-in-a-generation replacement or expansion of their critical infrastructure. Congratulations, Thread!
5. Aethero Secures Investments of $1.1 Million
Investments remain strong in Grand Forks as local AI and UAS startup Aethero secured a $1.1 million investment from several angel investors and venture capital firms through gener8tor 1889 North Dakota! Funding will go toward research and development initiatives and expansion of customer support and business development teams. Congratulations, Aethero!
6. Epitome Energy has Air Permit Public Hearing
The Epitome Energy soybean crushing facility continues to make progress toward opening the facility with a public hearing about the facility’s air permit application on Tuesday, April 23rd. The air permitting process began on March 28th and concluded on April 27th. Preliminary findings expect the facility to be well within the standards to protect the environment and people. A decision on the permit will likely come by early summer leading to construction beginning early fall 2024.
7. Altru Ranks Top 250 Hospitals in Nation
Congratulations to Altru Health System for being named one of the top 250 hospitals in the nation! Healthgrades the organization that announced the designation specifically cited Altru’s exceptional work in critical care, neurosciences, and pulmonary care. Healthgrades is a national company that compiles data about physicians and care providers. The hospital’s performance evaluation is based on objective quality measures including clinical outcomes, patient safety, and patient experience.
8. Local Companies Featured at Career Exploration Event
The Grand Forks Region EDC, in collaboration with the Chamber, the Pancratz Career Development Center, UND Career Services, and Job Service North Dakota, launched the inaugural “Explore your Future: GF Company Spotlights” event, held on Tuesday, April 16th. The event, which took place at the Memorial Union on the UND campus, featured 24 local employers to foster connections between UND students and companies in Grand Forks by offering hands-on learning experiences and insights into local career paths and organizational cultures. A total of 143 students were in attendance.
9. 47th Ave Interchange Gets Thumbs Up
The Federal Highway Administration has provided approval for an interchange at 47th Ave S and Interstate 29! The approval gives way to the planning, design, and eventually construction process. As planning continues, it is anticipated that construction will begin around 2029. This project will pave the way for future business expansion and community growth.
10. FAA Awards $3 Million to GFK for Runway Reconstruction
The FAA has awarded around $3 million to the Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority to reconstruct 4,206 feet of runway at the airport to maintain the pavement’s structural integrity and minimize debris. Funding was made available through the Airport Infrastructure Grant Program.
Other Economic Development Headlines
Biomedical sciences brought in $13.2 million in NIH grants to UND last year
Northern Plains UAS Test Site provides drone training for Grand Forks Fire Department
Grand Awards honor Grand Forks entrepreneurs for innovation, resilience, success
GGFYP Hosts Annual Launch, ND Commerce Commissioner
Alerus Financial donates $50,000 to Grand Forks Children’s Museum
Welcome Cooler Intern Isabelle
Welcome to our Cooler Marketing & Communications Intern, Isabelle Kraemer! Isabelle is a senior at the University of North Dakota, double majoring in communications and health sciences.
Best of luck to our graduating intern, Meghan Ray!
Business leaders: have interns apply for the free InternGF Summer Internship Cohort Series by 5/15!
Business leaders: have interns apply for the free InternGF Summer Internship Cohort Series by 5/15!
The InternGF Summer Internship Cohort Series is a free, six-session program for interns working in the greater Grand Forks region over the summer. This summer event series allows students to network, explore the cooler culture of our region, connect with young professionals, and imagine a future for themselves in greater Grand Forks.
Learn more and have interns apply at grandforks.org/intergf-summer
Economy At a Glance
The EDC has a new, interactive Economy at a Glance dashboard that compiles key regional economic indicators.
Upcoming Events
May 13-15 Site Selector Advisory Forum
May 15 InternGF Summer Cohort Series Registration Due
May 27 Memorial Day 2024: EDC Office Closed
June 1 Fall 2024 InternGF Apps Open
June 6 Board of Directors Meeting
June 19 Juneteenth 2024: EDC Office Closed
July 1 Spring 2025 InternGF Apps Open
July 4 Independence Day 2024: EDC Office Closed
July 11 Advisory Board Meeting
Aug 1 Board of Directors Meeting