Top 10 | December 2025 | Grand Forks EDC

1. mayor bochenski selected as gf herald's person of the year for work on air service expansion

Congratulations to Mayor Brandon Bochenski for being named the Grand Forks Herald’s 2025 Person of the Year! The Herald named Bochenski for his work on expanding air service at the Grand Forks Airport. His hard work led to a $1 million Small Community Air Service Development Program grant award, added a fourth daily flight with Delta, and an anticipated additional air service carrier soon announcing flight options.

2. fridolfs joins edc board, holth concludes service

The EDC welcomes Mike Fridolfs to its Board of Directors. Fridolfs is the Director of Site Operations for Northrop Grumman at Grand Sky and serves as the Ward 5 Council Member on the Grand Forks City Council. He was elected by the EDC member companies to his first three-year term and began his role as of January 1, 2026. Jonathan Holth, the Commissioner of Recovery & Reentry for the State of North Dakota, is transitioning out of his board role, serving the maximum of three three-year terms, or nine years in total.

3. gfafb nathan twining school awarded $55 million

The Grand Forks Air Force Base and Grand Forks Public Schools received positive news on December 2nd, 2025, the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation awarded Nathan F. Twining Elementary and Middle School a $55 million grant! The grant will assist in addressing capacity and condition deficiencies. This grant is part of a larger $69 million project to build a new school on the base. The new state-of-the-art school will better position the Grand Forks Air Force Base for mission retention and growth.

4. edc growth fund committee nominee matt walkowiak approved by city council

The EDC works closely with the Growth Fund Committee and the Jobs Development Authority. The EDC Board of Directors reviews PACE and FlexPACE applications, and if approved, they are forwarded to the Growth Fund for additional screening. The EDC Board of Directors nominates two out of five members to the City of Grand Forks Growth Fund Committee. Three members from the City Council also comprise the committee.

Jonathan Holth previously served on the Growth Fund Committee since May 2018, and his second three-year term concluded on December 31st, 2025. With this, the EDC Board of Directors recommended Matt Walkowiak for a three-year term beginning January 1st, 2026. Walkowiak is a partner at Harry’s Steakhouse and owner of Ground Round in Grand Forks, giving him a strong understanding of the needs of the small business community. The recommendation was confirmed by the Grand Forks City Council on December 8th.

5. northwood deaconess cuts ribbon on hospital expansion

The newly renovated Northwood Deaconess Health Center (NDHC) held an open house on December 10th, 2025, just before opening its expanded facility. The $39.6 million renovations added 25 new long-term care resident and hospital rooms, community gathering spaces, and space for the emergency room and general operating room. This first phase of the project began in May 2024. Phase two includes remodeling within the existing facility and adding CT scanning and ultrasound rooms. This is an impressive facility and a significant investment for the entire rural Grand Forks region.

6. agristo project progresses

As Agristo continues to progress, they’re sharing why they chose Grand Forks for their first U.S. facility. The company has been selling its products in the U.S. for years, meaning its next step was always finding a place in the States to put down roots. The only thing they needed to know was the best place to do it. By the end of their search, it was between Grand Forks and a town in Wisconsin. What did it all come down to? Grand Forks grew the best potatoes. Along with expansive fields and farmland, the Red River Valley grew the best potatoes. Read more from Agristo.

7. affordable housing projecct receives pilot

An affordable housing project called the Brookstone Development Project received approval for a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement for 20 years, 90% tax increment. The PILOT was approved by the Grand Forks City Council, Grand Forks County Commission, and the Grand Forks Public Schools Board. The complex includes 160 apartment units, and rent amounts would be fixed to reflect moderate rent and income levels. Housing availability and affordability impact our region’s ability to recruit and retain talent, which directly impacts our ability to attract and retain business development opportunities.

8. ray richards redevelopment plan proposed at city council

The redevelopment plan for the Ray Richards Golf Course took another step forward. The proposed redevelopment led by the University of North Dakota addresses several community needs. It will provide 169 apartments that are much needed to support our growing community’s housing demand. The plan preserves the golf course, which is a key asset for UND and the community. It provides a new golf amenity, a Top Tracer driving range, which can be added to the growing list of community amenities, such as the Altru Sports Complex, Grand Forks Children’s Museum, and a reenvisioned and vibrant downtown. This development and all of the projects above add to the livability of Grand Forks and our ability to attract citizens and workers to fuel our continued growth.

9. cruger assumes new role as director of economic development

Becca Cruger has transitioned to the Director of Economic Development for the EDC as of January 1st, 2026. Cruger previously held the role of Director of Workforce Development. In the new role, she will provide leadership to and oversight of both the EDC’s business development and workforce development initiatives.