Top 10 | December 2023 | Grand Forks EDC

1. Development Agreement Approved for $455 Million Epitome Energy Facility

On December 18th, the Grand Forks City Council unanimously approved the proposed development agreement for Epitome Energy! The development agreement paves the way for an anticipated 2024 groundbreaking. This approval is a critical development for the community. At the same meeting, the City Council approved the Epitome Energy financing inducement agreement, supporting the City of Grand Forks as a financial conduit for tax-exempt revenue bonds for the project. The revenue bonds will be used to finance equipment for solid waste disposal and controlling environmental pollution including water, sewer, and other underground infrastructure utilized for processing agricultural products. When operational, the plant will add 50-60 permanent jobs to the region.

2. Minnkota Receives $350 Million for Project Tundra

Minnkota Power Cooperative, a key investor in Project Tundra, secured a substantial $350 million in federal funding for the project! This major investment is a testament to the groundbreaking efforts of Minnkota Power in advancing clean energy technology. Project Tundra aims to revolutionize carbon capture and storage in traditional coal-fired power plants, making strides in environmental stewardship. As Minnkota President and CEO Mac McLennan stated, “Innovation is our path forward through the energy transition.” This substantial funding from the Department of Energy’s Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program propels Project Tundra into its final development phase, with advanced engineering and design work set to be completed by spring 2024.

3. Billie's Soap Awarded $500,000

Congratulations to EDC client and local Grand Forks company Billie’s Soap and Spa Products for being awarded $500,000 in Agriculture Diversification and Development (ADD) Funds! The company uses locally sourced ingredients to produce natural bath, cleaning, and personal products that are high-quality and affordable.

4. Tailorie & Thread Named Best Tech Startups in ND

Congratulations to Thread and Tailorie, two Grand Forks local companies named 2023 best tech startups in North Dakota by The Tech Tribune! Multiple factors considered for the title included revenue potential, leadership team, brand/product traction, and competitive landscape.

5. The Olive Ann Cuts Ribbon & Sells Out

Downtown development has hit another major milestone as The Olive Ann Hotel officially opened its doors, bringing a world-class boutique hotel to downtown Grand Forks! Mayor Brandon Bochenski described it as a cornerstone, embodying the city’s momentum and unstoppable growth at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 13th. Since its opening in early December, the 79-room hotel has consistently sold out, showcasing its strong demand and appeal. As we look forward to 2024, we’re thrilled to have the space available as the Grand Forks region is hosting the statewide Economic Development North Dakota (EDND) spring conference in April 2024 at The Olive Ann Hotel and Cloud 9 Events Center!

6. Air Service Expansion Committee: Fly Local

The Air Service Expansion Committee, convened by Mayor Bochenski, held a second meeting on Monday, December 4th. The primary discussion focused on identifying an air service expert to help craft a proposal to secure additional service. Commitments from regional businesses to fly locally through GFK were also a point of discussion at the meeting. The first step in furthering service offerings is for our community to demonstrate demand for the current service offerings; a critical part of how we do this is with buy-in from the business community. The committee is crafting a letter they intend to send to local businesses asking for their support.

7. EDC Facilitates Meetings With Local Companies and Mayor

Over the last two months, EDC staff assisted Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski in coordinating meetings and tours with EDC client and member companies. The ongoing effort is to gather feedback from the business community on issues facing the Grand Forks industry and to ensure the City is doing what it can to provide a supportive local government structure. The overall feedback received is that companies are doing well and appreciate the Mayor’s leadership to streamline the City’s development process.

8. IState Legislative Committee Hosted at EERC

North Dakota’s Interim Legislative Workforce Committee held a meeting in Grand Forks on November 30th to discuss the benefits and challenges posed by autonomous systems. The committee’s charge is understanding workforce dynamics and opportunities within the UAS and AI spaces. The best place to gather that information is in the Grand Forks region, the epicenter for UAS with close ties to AI. At the meeting, the committee heard several presentations about UAS and AI creating solutions for the industry and the workforce needed to support those industries. The committee’s work will inform proposed legislation in the 2025 legislative session. These efforts are critically important as we seek solutions to expand these exciting industries in Grand Forks.

Photo credit: UND Today

9. EDC Releases First of Shovel Ready Sites

To better reach site selectors, the EDC staff has been working with community partners to identify available sites that are ‘shovel-ready’ for development. Site selectors are working to identify communities and sites that meet the criteria specified by their clients. Having complete, shovel-ready information on available sites is critical when competing for projects on a regional and national level. The first of several Shovel Ready Site documents has been released and is available on the EDC website. Going forward, EDC staff will work to prepare additional Shovel Ready Site documents to market our region.

10. Thanks to Outgoing Board Members

Thank you to outgoing board members Mac McLennan of Minnkota Power Cooperative and Tammy Peterson of Bremer Bank. Mac and Tammy have made a tremendous impact on the EDC and the Grand Forks region. Both served for nine years in total, each serving as Board Chair for two years. We’re grateful for your service!