1. Bollingberg Bestowed Klaus Thiessen Impact Award
The EDC board of directors has announced Karl Bollingberg as the 2024 Klaus Thiessen Impact Award recipient. The award was presented to Bollingberg at the EDC Annual Meeting held at the Alerus Center on Tuesday, March 26. Since 2014, the EDC board has presented the award annually to recognize an outstanding business or individual that has made a positive impact on economic growth, vitality, and prosperity in the Grand Forks region.
Bollingberg worked at Alerus Financial in Grand Forks for 35 years, from 1987 to 2022 where he played a pivotal role in providing invaluable financial support and guidance to countless businesses and entrepreneurs across the region. Congratulations, Karl!
2. EDC Hosts Annual Meeting, Highlights Local Businesses, Shares Key Economic Indicators
On Tuesday, March 26, the EDC Hosted the 2024 Annual Meeting: Our Time Is Now! The event had a new program structure featuring several different speakers and segments highlighting EDC support to business and community. A high-level review of the event topics include reporting key stats of the EDC supported primary sector businesses, Klaus Thiessen Impact Award presentation, Bifrost Manufacturing 3D printing demo, workforce panel of InternGF participants, Northrop Grumman and Core Scientific community support, and Real Good Cookies baking demonstration.
Grand Forks primary sector businesses saw a 21% increase in the number of people they employ, 29% increase in the average salary, 67% increase in payroll, and $573 million in annual payroll in the last 10 years. In 2023, those businesses reported spending $375 million on goods and services from the Grand Forks region.
Photos from the event have been uploaded to the GF is Cooler Flickr. The event was recorded and will be uploaded to the EDC YouTube channel once it is ready. If you have any feedback about the event, please complete the 2024 Annual Meeting Survey.
3. RWIP Award & RFP Announcement
On Thursday, March 7th, the EDC hosted a press conference announcing $412,000 in state RWIP and matched grant funds for two workforce programs. To address workforce attraction, in partnership with the Red River Regional Council and the Chamber of Grand Forks/East Grand Forks, funding will support the creation of a workforce action plan and pilot talent recruitment strategies for the manufacturing and UAS sectors. To address workforce retention in partnership with UND Center For Innovation, Altru Health System, Blue Zones Project, and GGFYP, funding will be utilized to establish an InternGF Summer Cohort Series, enhance the GGFYP mentorship program, and Blue Zones worksite expansion.
To support the Workforce Study and Action Plan, the EDC has announced Requests For Proposals. Responses to the RFP are due by April 15th.
4. Integrated Steel Solutions Receives Growth Fund Approval
Integrated Steel Solutions received Growth Fund Committee support for their PACE program application to assist in the expansion of their Grand Forks manufacturing processes which assists in saving time and money on construction sites. This company is a tremendous example of a Grand Forks company that started from humble beginnings and is now on a growing trajectory with a bright future!
5. Compton Named Top 25 Women in Business
EDC Board Secretary and Treasurer Meghan Compton has been announced as Prairie Business Magazine’s Top 25 Women in Business list for 2024! Compton was selected out of more than 40 nominees and recognized for her wealth of experience, depth of knowledge, and strong leadership qualities. Congratulations, Meghan! The Grand Forks region is lucky to have you.
6. GF Companies Awarded ADD Funds
Congratulations to two Grand Forks companies for being awarded Agriculture Diversification and Development (ADD) Funds!
Associated Potato Growers was awarded funding for a packaging machine and robotic palletizer to increase productivity.
Three Farm Daughters was awarded funding to assist in the purchase of co-packing machines for bulk pasta.
7. GF Companies Awarded APUC Funds
Congratulations to two Grand Forks companies for being awarded Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC) Funds!
Northdale Oil was awarded funding to conduct a feasibility study and business plant for a new bio plant.
SafetySpect was awarded funding to further develop drone capability of disease detection in crops.
8. UND EERC Receives $4.2 Million
Congratulations to the UND Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) for being awarded $4.2 million to develop commercially viable hydrogen cell technology! The funding will contribute to the Heartland Hydrogen Hub efforts led by the EERC. The Grand Forks region is a leader in energy research and innovation having over $1 billion invested in the last year.
9. InternGF Funds Awarded
Congratulations to 15 Grand Forks companies who were awarded a total of $42,548 from the InternGF program for the Summer 2024 semester!
Awardees include:
AE2S – Engineering Intern
BBI International – Sales and Marketing Intern
Billie’s Soap – Project and Events Intern
Dakota Don’s Artisan Waffles – Sales and Marketing Intern
DragonFly Pads – PR and Communications Intern
Express Employment – Business Intern
Grand Forks County – IT Intern
Ideal Aerosmith – Electrical Engineer Intern
Kirwall – Autonomous Systems Security Intern
Minnkota Power Cooperative – Civil Engineer Intern
Opp Construction – Human Resource Specialist
SSE Computer Services – Marketing Intern
Steffes, LLC – Supply Chain Intern and Design Engineer Intern
True North Equipment – Engineering Intern
Three Farm Daughters – Marketing Intern
Applications for the Fall 2024 semester will open on June 1st.
10. InternGF Summer Cohort Series Registration Open
Announcing the InternGF Summer Intern Cohort Series! The program is for interns working in the greater Grand Forks region over the summer of 2024. The summer event series provides students the opportunity to network, explore the cooler culture of our region, connect with young professionals, and imagine a future for themselves in greater Grand Forks. This program is separate from the InternGF funding program, which helps offset the cost of starting a new internship at your company.
Businesses employing interns during the summer can begin registering their interns for the program, with a registration deadline of May 15.
Thanks to grant funds, there is no cost in 2024 for participation. Registration is limited to 50 participants.
Other Economic Development Headlines
Grand Forks’ downtown sees 7.5% boost in traffic since Olive Ann Hotel’s opening
‘We’re on cloud nine,’ says Grand Forks DDA president following award win
Northdale Oil considering building biodiesel plant in Grand Forks
State of the Base: Satellite network operations to go online in 2024; $246 million upgrade planned
You’re Invited: Grand Forks Region Company Spotlights
April 16th
11 am – 2 pm
UND Memorial Union Ballroom
University of North Dakota, Job Service ND, EDC, and the Chamber of Grand Forks/East Grand Forks are partnering to host an event for local employers to showcase their companies to UND students. The event, called Grand Forks Region Company Spotlights will be held April 16th from 11 am to 2 pm at the UND Memorial Union Ballroom. It is free for employers to attend.
Register through the Handshake event. Note that a HandShake account is required to see event details. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jen Proulx jennifer.proulx@und.edu.
EDND Conference in Grand Forks
The Grand Forks region is hosting the state-wide EDND Spring Conference from April 30th to May 2nd! Registration for the event is NOW OPEN, and the tentative schedule has been released.
Conference highlights include the opportunity to tour Grand Sky facilities, with a UAS panel and reception at The HIVE; site selector panel and social; a case study with O’Leary Venture Group, Bank of North Dakota, and ND SBDC. Conference sponsorships are available.
Thank you to all the community partners and stakeholders assisting in the conference planning and preparation!
Economy At a Glance
The EDC has a new, interactive Economy at a Glance dashboard that compiles key regional economic indicators.
Upcoming Events
Apr 4 Board of Directors Meeting
Apr 9 Grand Awards
Apr 16 Grand Forks Region Company Spotlights
Apr 30 EDND Conference Begins
May 2 Board of Directors Meeting
May 2 EDND Conference Ends
May 13-15 Site Selector Advisory Forum
May 15 InternGF Summer Cohort Series Registration Due
May 27 Memorial Day 2024: EDC Office Closed
June 1 Fall 2024 InternGF Apps Open
June 6 Board of Directors Meeting
June 19 Juneteenth 2024: EDC Office Closed
July 1 Spring 2025 InternGF Apps Open
July 4 Independence Day 2024: EDC Office Closed
July 11 Advisory Board Meeting
Aug 1 Board of Directors Meeting