Top 10 | August 2024 | Grand Forks EDC

1. iSight Drone Services Marks Another First for UAS

Grand Forks marked another FIRST for UAS! On Thursday, August 8th, Grand Forks-based iSight Drone Services and U.S. Senator John Hoeven announced they received a Federal Aviation Administration waiver under the Near-Term Approval Process (NTAP).

The waiver will allow iSight pilots to utilize the beyond visual line of sight network, Vantis, to fly beyond the pilots’ sight without needing FAA approval for each flight.

Accompanying the NTAP announcement, iSight shared and signed an agreement with Altru to explore how they could utilize Vantis to deliver important medical supplies.

Congratulations to all involved who worked to make this happen! Grand Forks leads the United States for UAS with many firsts for the industry.

2. Grand Forks Wins Urban Main Street Excellence Award

The City of Grand Forks and the EDC were awarded the Urban Main Street Excellence Award at the Main Street Summit in Watford City on August 29th!

The Main Street Awards honor communities that demonstrate excellence in the pillars of the Main Street Initiative. The four pillars are supporting a 21st-century skilled workforce, investing in smart and efficient infrastructure, healthy and vibrant communities, and economic diversification. Awardees exemplify the principles of the Main Street Initiative by enhancing the quality of life for residents.

Grand Forks was selected because of our collaboration and team effort. Our region works together to foster an environment that attracts innovative people and business investment with a focus on industry diversification. The award presentation highlighted our region’s national leadership in the UAS industry, as well as the recent investments in downtown.

Additionally, the award recognized the creation of workforce development programs in partnership with local businesses, arts, and nonprofit partners leaning into the positive aspects of the region. Thanks to all of our partners and community leaders who made this possible!

3. Ideal Aerosmith awarded $14.5 million U.S. Navy contract

The InternGF Summer Cohort Series concluded after six sessions, spanning 12 weeks. 33 interns participated in the program, representing 21 employers. The sessions were designed to help students understand all the region offers, familiarize them with local industries, introduce them to community leaders, and network with their peers.

To measure program effectiveness, students were asked to complete a perception ranking survey pre- and post-program. Results amongst all perception ranking questions scored significantly higher across all categories. Two questions most significant to our work: We asked students if they thought Grand Forks had good career opportunities for them and were able to shift perceptions 15% higher post-program. We also asked if they saw themselves living in Grand Forks after graduation. Before the program, just over half of the students responded affirmatively. Post-program, 77% of students said they could see themselves staying in Grand Forks.

Photos from the graduation are available to view on the GF is Cooler Flickr.

4. 60 HR Professionals Learn About Workforce Strategies at HRVIP Day

On August 27th, the EDC in partnership with Job Service ND – Grand Forks, True North Equipment, and UND School of Graduate Studies brought together 60 area workforce development professionals and human resource managers for a day of connection-building, learning, and information sharing for the 2nd HR VIP Day. Presentations included global recruitment strategies, college and university partnerships, graduate-level talent, state and local talent attraction initiatives, engaging with the Grand Forks Air Force Base talent, and high school talent pipelines. Thanks to all who attended and presented!

Photos from the event are available to view on the GF is Cooler Flickr.

5. North Dakota Mill and Elevator Celebrates Another Record Year, Provides Employees $27,000 Checks

The North Dakota Mill and Elevator celebrated a record year for profits and shipments! The rich and fertile soil of the Grand Forks region contributed to a great year for the largest wheat mill and the only state-owned milling facility in the country. With the records set, 143 employees received gainsharing checks averaging $27,000 at the mill’s annual picnic. North Dakota feeds the nation, leading as the number one commodity-producing state for 13 crops. Congratulations to the North Dakota Mill and Elevator!

6. EERC Receives $5 Million for Carbon Capture

The Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) has received $5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy! The funds will enable the EERC to provide technical expertise for carbon capture efforts in the Williston Basin in western North Dakota. Carbon capture continues growing in popularity and use, which has led to commercialization. Commercialization projects include large-scale CO2 storage facilities, regional carbon management hubs, storage reservoirs, and pipeline transport systems. With EERC serving as a leader in the energy sector, they will help navigate the new landscape.

7. Red River Potatoes Awarded ADD Funds

Red River Potatoes was awarded $200,000 from the Agriculture Diversification and Development (ADD) Fund! The funds will assist with the purchase of additional equipment to handle the increased production of potatoes. Congratulations!

The ADD Fund offers up to a $500,000 grant to support new or expanding value-added agriculture businesses. Contact EDC Business Development Manager Kevin Hatcher to learn more about the program.

8. Cooler Connects with Community and UND Students

Greater Grand Forks: Way Cooler Than You Think! hosted informational booths at the Downtown Street Fair and UND Community Expo! New residents to Grand Forks learned about the relocation guide, “What’s Cooler Today” newsletter, promotional materials, and merchandise to spread awareness about the workforce attraction campaign. While the ‘Cooler’ efforts focus on attracting new people to our community, they have also proved to provide a quality of life value to the Grand Forks region. The top visited pages to the Cooler website include careers, volunteer opportunities, and a community-written blog highlighting quality-of-life amenities. The team will continue to engage with UND students to encourage them to stay in the region after graduation at UND’s Fall Career Fair in September.

9. Hatcher Receives Econ Dev Updates at Developer Day in Bismarck

On Tuesday, August 20th EDC Business Development Manager Kevin Hatcher attended the Economic Development Association of North Dakota (EDND) and North Dakota Department of Commerce’s Developer Day event in Bismarck. During the event, Hatcher learned about commerce’s upcoming legislative goals and priorities for the next legislative session and received an update on the new Office of Legal Immigration. Additionally, there were several educational sessions that included effectively responding to requests for proposals and case studies for identifying relevant state economic development financing programs and tax incentives.

10. Mathiason Receives Basic Economic Development Certification

From August 5th through 8th, EDC Workforce Development Specialist Brenna Mathiason successfully attended and completed the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) accredited Basic Economic Development Course in Olympia, Washington. The program covered a comprehensive range of topics, including Strategic Planning, Business Retention and Expansion, Site Selection, Economic Development Finance, Entrepreneurial and Small Business Development, Workforce Development, and Rural Development, among others. The Basic Economic Development Courses (BEDCs) are independently managed by state-level organizations and universities, providing professionals with the essential knowledge and skills needed to advance their careers in economic development. Congrats, Brenna!

Spring ‘25 InternGF Applications Due 10/31

Employers: do you want to offset the cost of a spring 2024 internship by $3,500? Apply for InternGF internship funding program for your new and innovative internship by the deadline of October 31st!