1. EDC Hosts Annual Meeting & Presents Impact Award
The 2023 EDC Annual Meeting was on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at the Alerus Center. The theme, ‘Today. Tomorrow. Together.’ highlighted our community’s strength of working together. From a thriving agribusiness sector, robust UAS ecosystem, and an award-winning talent attraction initiative. The presentation took a look back to celebrate the accomplishments, collaboration, and look ahead to tomorrow and encourage continuing our work together for a thriving and prosperous community.
Dave Molmen was awarded the 2023 Klaus Thiessen Impact Award for his positive impact on economic growth and prosperity in the Grand Forks region.
The event was video recorded and will be uploaded to our Youtube channel and our website at a later date.
2. EDC Clients Awarded Funding
Congratulations to several Grand Forks operating companies who have been awarded funding!
North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC)
- Epitome Energy – awarded $250,000 for front-end engineering and rail plans for the $418 million soybean crushing facility.
- Vertipads – awarded $150,000 to develop a dedicated UAS ground infrastructure to service drones used in and for agriculture.
- Tailorie – awarded $250,000 to continue their tremendous growth in authentic brand and product recommendations.
3. Fenworks Hosts State ESports Tournament
Client and member company Fenworks hosted the second annual Esports state tournament on March 31 and April 1 at the Alerus Center. The tournament was attended by 130 students from schools in North Dakota and Minnesota. Congratulations to Fenworks on a successful event!
4. Steamatic Awarded US Franchise of the Year
Congratulations to member company Steamatic for being recognized as the 2022 Franchise of the year! The award recognizes the franchise for its outstanding commitment to excellence in the restoration industry, business operations, customer service, and community involvement.
5. Shining Staff Moments
Welcome Kate Preszler
On March 27, the EDC welcomed Kate Preszler to the team as the Workforce Development Specialist! Kate joins the team with a background in business and project management, as well as creative expertise writing scripts, video filming, editing, graphic design, and more.
Maliskey Awarded 2023 GGFYP Rising Star
On March 28, EDC Marketing & Communications Manager, Mark Maliskey was recognized with the 2023 Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals Rising Star Award at the Annual Launch. Congratulations, Mark!
6. SoARS Symposium Takes Off
EDC Director of Workforce Development, Becca Cruger, Business Development Officer, Kevin Hatcher, and UAS Development Officer, Bill Adams attended the inaugural Strategic Operation and Research Symposium hosted at the University of North Dakota on March 21 and 22.
The purpose of the symposium is to bring together providers, enablers, and customers that will help drive the rapid High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) and High-Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) development. Key supporters included United States’ Department of Defense, United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense, key technology, and governance enablers. Several other countries were represented including Japan and Germany.
EDC Director of Workforce Development Becca Cruger hosted a ‘Building the Workforce of the Future’ panel at the Symposium. Panelists included Dr. Nuri Oncel and Dr. Ryan Adams with UND, Mary Houdek with Job Service of North Dakota, and Mike Fridolfs with Northrop Grumman.
7. Community Leaders Attend GF Day at the Capital
EDC Director of Workforce Development, Becca Cruger and President & CEO, Keith Lund joined community leaders for the biannual Grand Forks Day at the Legislature in Bismarck on March 2 and 3. The group was able to advocate and education on several legislative priorities on behalf of ‘Team Grand Forks.’ Topics ranged from quality of life funding, infrastructure projects, and the natural gas pipeline.
8. InternGF 2023 Round 2 Awards
InternGF, a partnership program with the University of North Dakota’s Center for Innovation reviewed and approved applications for summer semester internships (round two of FY2023). In total $28,759 in awards were made to thirteen companies.
Approved internships included:
- Resource Auction – Business Management Internship
- Iviry, LLC – IT Internship
- Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority – Airport Management Internship
- Alerus Center – Sales & Graphic Design Internship
- Cirrus Aircraft – Manufacturing Engineering Internship
- PS Industries – Payroll/HR Internship
- Silverberry Group – Content Creation Internship
- Ideal Aerosmith – Mechanical Engineering & Software Engineering Internships
- Downtown Development Association – Grand Rides Data Analyst Internship
- Northern Plains Rail – Accounting Internship
- Burian & Associates, LLC – Engineering Internship
- Grand Forks Public Schools – Human Resources Internship
The InternGF program continues to be successful with 80% of surveyed students who went through the program having selected their first job in the Grand Forks region or continued with their internships.
9. EDC President & CEO Presents to City Council
EDC President & CEO, Keith Lund presented information about the EDC to the Grand Forks City Council on Monday, March 13. The information included funding sources, board structure, primary sector businesses, and staffing information.
See copy of the presentation >
10. EDC Staff Attend GFAFB Events: State of the Base/Awards
The EDC staff attended the 2023 GFAFB State of the Base breakfast at the Alerus Center on March 7. Colonel Curry, Commander 319 Reconnaissance Wing presented on the theme ‘what are we up to’ which reinforced the reconnaissance mission at the GFAFB.
Later that week, EDC President & CEO, Keith Lund attended the GFAFB awards on March 10. Several individual awards were presented, including the Chamber’s Golden Eagles Club presenting the Marijo Shide Squadron of the Year award.
Marketing & Communications Intern Posting
We’re looking for a dynamic self-starter with a creative flair and ability to craft impactful messages to support our promotion of the Greater Grand Forks region.
Internship starting May 2023 and ideally continue through at least December 2023.
$15/hour | 15-20 hours per week
Economy at a Glance
The EDC is preparing a monthly report on key regional economic indicators.
February Economy at a Glance > | Archives Economy at a Glance >
UPCOMING EVENTS
- April 6 Board of Directors Meeting
- April 7 Good Friday: EDC Office Closed
- May 4 Board of Directors Meeting
- May 29 Memorial Day: EDC Office Closed
- June 1 Board of Directors Meeting
- July 4 Independence Day: EDC Office Closed
- July 13 Advisory Board Meeting