1. Buttigieg Announces $30 Million During Visit to Grand Forks
On Monday, June 5th, US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced that the Grand Forks Region is receiving a $30 million infrastructure investment towards an underpass project for 42nd St and Demers for the railroad crossing. The first study of the intersection to create an underpass was completed over 20 years ago. Event speakers included Lieutenant Governor Tammy Miller, US Senator Kevin Cramer, Mayor Brandon Bochenski, and Grand Forks Fire Chief Gary Lorenz. This investment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all those involved in economic development in the Grand Forks Region and North Dakota as a whole. Thank you to our city leaders for their effort in securing this funding.
2. Career Impact Academy Project Progress
The month of June marked exciting progress for the Career Impact Academy project! On Monday, June 5th, Grand Forks City Council approved the transfer of land from the city to the school district. On Monday, June 12th, the Grand Forks Public School Board accepted the transfer of land.
The most exciting news came from Governor Burgum who announced on Friday, June 9 that the $68 million in federal funds for the career and technical education centers was received, meaning that a loan through the Bank of North Dakota was no longer necessary. The next steps for the project include construction bids, followed by a groundbreaking that will hopefully take place before winter! Construction is expected to take 16-18 months, with a tentative opening slated for the spring of 2025.
3. Meadowlark Aircraft Company Launches in Grand Forks
Meadowlark Aircraft Company, a manufacturer of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), has launched its operations in Grand Forks! The company specializes in “mission-specific” UAS design and manufacturing, employing advanced systems engineering tools and design principles.
Mike Furmanski and Ned Tabat founded the company after meeting at the 2022 UAS Summit. The company aims to build a flexible manufacturing system capable of tailoring aircraft to the unique needs and missions of its customers. Meadowlark Aircraft Company will open offices at The HIVE. Furmanski and Tabat shared that they chose to open in Grand Forks due to the thriving UAS ecosystem in the region.
4. UAS Industry Hosts Curriculum Meeting
UAS Development Officer, Bill Adams joined the Grand Forks UAS ecosystem partners as they recently held a successful curriculum discussion, which was attended by almost 40 individuals from UND and local private sector UAS and related tech businesses. The feedback received on the aerospace curriculum was vital in understanding industry needs both in the present and future. The discussion was led by Paul Snyder, the Director of the UAS Program at UND. UND is generating exceptional talent for the UAS industry and, by working together, we can better equip the workforce to meet the demands of the industry.
5. Col. Timothy Monroe Takes the Helm as Commander of 319th Reconnaissance Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base
During a change of command ceremony at the Grand Forks Air Force Base on June 23rd, Col. Timothy Monroe became the new commander of the 319th Reconnaissance Wing! Col. Timothy Curry officially relinquished command after two years of leading the wing to great success, including earning the Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award and the Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award. Monroe will be responsible for leading three groups, 14 squadrons and three detachments, including supporting NATO’s eastern flank with the RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 40 mission and operating the E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node.
6. Lund Attends Task Force for Military in ND
EDC President/CEO, Keith Lund, attended the Governor’s Task Force for Military in North Dakota (TF MIND) on June 6th, at Camp Grafton. Charged by the Governor, the mission of the task force is to advocate and craft policy to show that North Dakota is the most military-friendly state in the nation. Recent accomplishments of the task force include advocating for licensure reciprocity for nursing, teaching, and other medical professions to ease moves for military families. The task force is led by Lieutenant Governor Tammy Miller.
7. Epitome Energy Receives Preliminary Approval for PILOT
Grand Forks City Council members gave preliminary approval for property tax relief for the proposed $418 Million Epitome Energy Soybean Crushing Facility. The plant is proposed to be built north of Grand Forks and is seeking a 15-year, 83% PILOT exemption. A public hearing is scheduled for the proposed Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) exemption for the project on July 5.
8. Memorial Village II Receives Project Receives Green Light
Grand Forks City Council gave preliminary approval for property tax relief for the $44 million Memorial Village II project slated for UND’s campus. The mixed-use facility will include commercial and residential space. It will feature the UND Bookstore, a restaurant/bar, offices, 167 apartments with fitness and study rooms, and more. Updates to the space will include a new softball complex with an NCAA regulation field as a complementary addition to the Fritz Pollard Jr. Athletic Center. Construction is expected to start in August 2023 with a grand opening in June 2025.
9. Cruger Represents EDC at Workforce Development Council & Summit
On June 1st, Director of Workforce Development, Becca Cruger, attended the Governor’s Workforce Development Council (WDC). The group met at the Microsoft Campus in Fargo to celebrate workforce successes during the legislative session and to begin strategy discussions for the next biennium. The council’s 2022 report of recommendations influenced appropriations and policy in more than ten bills that passed.
From June 11th-14th, Cruger attended the invitation only RoleCall Talent Attraction Summit that brought the top innovators in workforce from around the country to Flint, Michigan. Leaders discussed unique talent attraction strategies and shared best practices.
10. Pillars of Place Conference Showcases Quality of Life Investments
The Downtown: Pillars of Place conference on June 13th highlighted the importance of universal design in creating spaces. Valuable quality-of-life investments are critical for workforce attraction and retention. The four pillars of placemaking include identity/belonging/vision, sociability, comfort/image, and accessibility. Presenters spoke about each pillar and how community leaders should consider each of them when creating a place. The conference ended with attendees developing a placemaking opportunity, with one group receiving a $2,000 grant to implement the project.
InternGF Open for Fall Semester Applications
InternGF, a partnership program between UND’s Center for Innovation and the EDC is accepting applications for Fall semester internship awards. Grand Forks area businesses can apply for up to $3,500 in matching funds for newly created internships that will take place during UND’s Fall semester (August 1 – December 31). Businesses must be a GFREDC member company OR a startup business that’s within five years of establishment. Interns must be currently enrolled UND students or recent graduates. Full eligibility and application criteria can be found at grandforks.org/interngf
Northern Valley Career Expo Exhibitor Registration Now Open
2023 Northern Valley Career Expo
Wednesday, October 25th
The Northern Valley Career Expo brings more than 1,800 high school students from 14 counties and 50+ school districts in the Northern Valley region (Northwest Minnesota & Northeast North Dakota) to a one-day event where they can explore high-wage, in-demand careers.
Economy at a Glance
The EDC has a new, interactive Economy at a Glance dashboard that compiles key regional economic indicators.