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Home > Top 10 – December 2021

Top 10 – December 2021

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1. New Year, New Look!

Check out our new, beautifully designed website! We’ve been working on this project since last spring and are excited for its unveiling. Please forgive any errors as we are still working on some final details.

2. 40 Under 40

Congratulations to Workforce Development Manager Becca Cruger on being recognized in Prairie Business magazine’s 40 Under 40. They acknowledged what we already knew—you’re talented, hard-working, and making a difference in the Grand Forks region.

3. Global Hawk Contract

The Department of Defense has awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman to retrofit four Global Hawk drones for hypersonic missile testing. Sen. John Hoeven’s office announced that the program, called Sky Range, will save the military time and money in developing new missiles.

4. Technology Accelerator

The City of Grand Forks, through the Jobs Development Authority, is moving forward with the development of the Technology Accelerator in the former Grand Forks Herald building. The JDA authorized City staff to bid the construction project at their December 6th meeting. Project costs are estimated at $3 million, supported by an Economic Development Administration grant of $1.08 million. The project is anticipated to begin in February with expected completion in the fall.

5. Cirrus Aircraft

Bill King, Cirrus Aircraft vice president of business administration, retired at the end of 2021. King has been the EDC’s and community’s principal contact at Cirrus since they established their production facility in Grand Forks in 1996. He recently traveled to Grand Forks to introduce community leadership to individuals who will fulfill his prior role. Meetings with city and EDC included discussion of possible Cirrus growth in the near future.

6. Career Impact Academy

After raising $10 million for a matching grant, the Career Impact Academy application has been submitted to the State. The award amount will be announced by March 31. Meanwhile, the steering committee set its sights on a new $8 million fundraising goal. They hope to expand the career center by another 30,000 square feet for automotive, building trades, and welding areas.

7. Evolve Annual Meeting

Evolve Grand Forks, operator of the 701 Coworking Space, held their 2021 Annual Meeting earlier in December. Board members shared metrics of success including reporting more than 70 coworkers and 25 companies now operating out of The 701. The event also featured entrepreneurs who have benefitted from Evolve Grand Forks’ programs.

8. Alerus Ribbon Cutting

Alerus held a ribbon cutting for their new location inside Hugo’s Pure Market downtown. The EDC member company also just announced an agreement to acquire Metro Phoenix Bank, the largest full-service community bank headquartered in Phoenix. This is their 25th acquisition since 2000.

9. Altru Expansion

Altru Health System announced an expansion for a future hospital in Devils Lake. The flagship regional hospital will provide outpatient services, dialysis center, imaging services, women’s services, orthopedics, oncology, cardiology, and pharmacy.

10. InternGF

InternGF awarded nine companies almost $18,000 in funding for the first application cycle of 2022. Now in its fifth year, the program is designed to increase the number of local internships by aiding employers’ workforce recruitment and retention efforts by introducing UND students to career and entrepreneurial opportunities in the greater Grand Forks region.

    • Tau Drones – Sales Intern
    • French Taste – Marketing Intern
    • Steffes – Buyer Intern
    • Valley TechPros – IT Technician Intern
    • Burian & Associates – Engineering Intern
    • Academy of Kids Childcare Center – Teaching Assistant Intern
    • The Flight Corp – Air Traffic Control & Junior Software Development Intern
    • Lace Up & Run, LLC – Business Development Intern
    • Half Brothers Brewing Company – Social Media Marketing Intern

The EDC is preparing a monthly report on key regional economic indicators. Click here to see November’s Economy at a Glance.