Top 10 | March 2025 | Grand Forks EDC

1. Altru Health System Receives EDC Klaus Thiessen Impact Award

The EDC board of directors has announced Altru Health System as the 2025 Klaus Thiessen Impact Award recipient! The award was accepted by CEO Todd Forkel, President Dr. Josh Deere, and Chief Partnership and Philanthropy Officer Kristi Hall-Jiran at the EDC Annual Meeting held at the Alerus Center on Thursday, March 27th. Instead of a traditional award plaque, the health system was presented with artwork titled ‘Lineage of Healing’ by Grand Forks local artist Eric Castle. The work captures three generations of Grand Forks’ hospital buildings, connected by a bold roofline symbolizing their shared purpose across time.

Since 2014, the EDC board has presented the award annually to recognize an outstanding business or individual who has made a positive impact on economic growth, vitality, and prosperity in the Grand Forks region.

“The impact award has typically been presented to an individual, however, we do have a category for businesses or organizations,” said EDC President & CEO Keith Lund. “The board felt that Altru stood out this past year. They provide significant contributions to the economic health of the region as one of the top employers. On top of their economic impact, they have established several community partnerships and investments to make the region a better and healthier place to live. The half-billion-dollar investment in a brand-new hospital demonstrates confidence in the region and will provide economic impact for years to come.”

2. EDC Hosts Annual Meeting, Highlights Local Businesses, Shares Economic Indicators

On Thursday, March 27th, the EDC held the 2025 Annual Meeting: Plant & Prosper!

The event featured several speakers in a series of fireside chats: Sandi Luck of North Dakota Coffee Roastery, Mollie Ficocello of Three Farm Daughters, Bella Peterson, a UND student, and Joe Zaharia of True North Equipment. Sandi and Mollie highlighted their businesses and how the support of the Grand Forks region and the EDC helped them succeed. Bella and Joe highlighted the workforce pipeline programs InternGF Summer Cohort and the Northern Valley Career Expo and how they helped them decide to stay in the region. The EDC also presented the 2025 Klaus Thiessen Impact Award to Altru Health System.

The EDC prepared an annual report highlighting Grand Forks’ primary sector businesses, workforce programming, and business development pipeline. From 2014 to 2024, EDC client businesses saw a 10% increase in the number of people they employ, a 42% increase in the average salary of their employees, and a 55% increase in the total payroll. In 2024, they had $645 million in annual payroll and $216 million in expenditures on goods and services in the Grand Forks region, equating to a total economic impact of $861 million!

Photos from the event are available on the GF is Cooler Flickr. A copy of the 2024 Annual Report is available on the EDC Website. The program was recorded and will be available to stream on the EDC YouTube Channel at a later date.

Please complete the very short two-question 2025 Annual Meeting Survey to share any feedback about the event.

3. Senate Passes $30M Ag Incentive, Paving Way for Agristo

On Tuesday, March 25th, the North Dakota Senate passed the $30 million ag incentive bill. The funding will support the $450 million Agristo potato processing facility slated for Grand Forks. If the bill is signed by Governor Armstrong, it will allow the company to apply for the $30 million grant. The funding would be paid out in two parts with the first half when the facility receives a certificate of occupancy and the remainder when it reaches 50% of production capacity. This is an important step for the Agristo project!

4. Governor Announces $20M for Grand Forks Underpass Project

Governor Armstrong announced on March 7th that the North Dakota Department of Transportation will allocate $20 million in state funding to fast-track a railroad underpass project near the University of North Dakota campus! The project aims to improve traffic flow and safety by constructing an underpass at the 42nd Street railroad crossing. A $30 million federal grant was previously announced for the project. Construction is set to begin in 2026, with the final touches expected on the project in 2028.

5. CFI Launches New Program, Awards Funds to Support Rural ND through UAS Technology

UND Center For Innovation announced they launched a new project to advance unmanned aerial systems technology across North Dakota to revolutionize rural living, enhance economic resilience, and support rural communities. The center has awarded $50,000 to three companies to support the initiative: iSight Drone Services, Botlink, LLC, and Censys Technologies.

The project will further technological advancements and industry growth through developing a statewide UAS commercialization strategy and economic impact study. There are three areas of focus and three use case tests that will be carried out for the three companies. The implementation phase of the project is set to begin in the coming months.

6. EDC Team Attends Grand Forks Day at the Capitol

EDC President & CEO Keith Lund, Director of Workforce Development Becca Cruger, and Business Development Manager Kevin Hatcher attended Grand Forks Day at the capital. They joined a record-breaking number of participants in meeting with state leaders and advocating for Grand Fork’s legislative priorities.

*File photo of Colonel Monroe from the 2024 EDC Annual Meeting.

7. Colonel Monroe Hosts State of the Base

Colonel Monroe delivered an address at the annual State of Base breakfast. He announced the 319th Reconnaissance Wing will begin flying operational sorties from the Grand Forks Air Force Base for the first time in 3 years. Monroe also announced that his successor, Colonel Alfred Rosales, will take over command of Grand Forks Air Force Base on July 1st. Monroe touched on other topics such as GrandSky, the base’s early childhood center renovations, and national security threats facing the United States.

8. EDC Awards Additional InternGF Funds

The non-priority deadline applications for InternGF summer semester funding were reviewed. In addition to the 10 internships at nine companies already funded, four additional internships received funding. Altogether a total of 14 internships at 13 companies were funded for the summer semester with a total dollars awarded of $35,568. InternGF program applications for fall 2025 will open on June 1st.

Additional awardees include:

Midwest Planning – Civil Engineering Intern
MindMend Biotech, LLC – Biomedical Engineering Intern
322 Hospitality Group – Operations & Development Intern
Northern Plains Rail Services – Human Resources Intern

First round awardees:

Opp Construction – Spanish Speaking HR Intern
RJ Energy Solutions – Field Engineer Intern
Ideal Aerosmith – Operations Intern
Ideal Aerosmith – Supply Chain Intern
Integrated Steel Solutions – Finance Intern

Northern Plain UAS Test Site – Marketing & Communications Intern
University Park Neighborhoods, Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, and Region – Engagement & Policy Intern
Meadowlark Aircraft – Accounting Intern
Vorbeck Materials – Production Strategy & Engineering Intern

9. Hatcher Engages Site Selectors at Annual Conference

Business Development Manager Kevin Hatcher attended the Site Selector’s Guild Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, from March 12th to March 14th. Hatcher engaged with several site selectors to share the business development opportunities in Grand Forks and North Dakota. Engaging with site selectors is a priority within the EDC strategic plan. The EDC staff continues to work to increase awareness of the region through attending conferences or hosting site selectors like the Advisory Forum in May 2024.

10. Brustad Selected for Military Affairs Executive Committee

EDC Operations Manager Brendan Brustad “BRU” was selected to serve on the Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Executive Committee! The committee was established to foster a strong relationship between the community and the military units and help provide community support for future missions. With BRU’s 20 years of experience in the military, he is a great contribution to the committee. Congratulations Bru!