Top 10 | November 2024 | Grand Forks EDC

1. NCTC Ranked Minnesota's Number 1 Top Community College

Congratulations to Acme Tools for receiving approval for a FlexPACE loan through the Jobs Development Authority and Bank of North Dakota! Acme is investing in software to enhance its ability to manage its robust e-commerce platform and order lifecycle.

2. EDC Receives 2 International Awards for Economic Development

Northland Community & Technical College has been named Minnesota’s Number 1 Top Community College. The ranking is according to WalletHub, which ranked NCTC as number 18 nationwide. NCTC has two campuses, one in Thief River Falls and one in East Grand Forks. The college plays an important role in training and preparing the workforce for open careers in the Grand Forks region that support key industries like UAS, agribusiness, and manufacturing.

3. GF Public Schools Showcase Capital Projects in Breakfast Address

Superintendent Terry Brenner hosted the Grand Forks Public School District Breakfast and Community Report on Thursday, November 14th. The breakfast theme, Building Our Future, was very fitting as the several new buildings and spaces under construction were featured along with staff that will work within them. The highlight of the breakfast was the talented students featured in what Dr. Brenner referred to as the ‘parade,’ which had national merit scholars, state championship winners, and skillful musicians.

4. Northwood Airport Receives Funding for New Terminal Building

Northwood Municipal Airport-Vince Field received a $950,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to build a new terminal building estimated to be 650 square feet. The space will provide necessary amenities for the airport which continues to see an increase in air traffic. The project is the next in a string of upgrades and updates the airport has seen in the last six to ten years, including a ramp expansion for additional aircraft parking, runway reconstruction, added lighting, and a precision aircraft position indicator system. Congratulations, Northwood!

5. Career Impact Academy Update

The Career Impact Academy continues to make progress! One of the most important components of the project is the coursework that will happen within the space. On Monday, November 25th, Eric Ripley, Executive Director of Career Education and Technology for the Grand Forks Public Schools, presented over twenty-four new, existing, and expanded curricular offerings at the school board meeting. Included are ten new courses that are able to be offered with the Career Impact Academy coming online. Ripley also shared that the courses will be taught in three 100-minute blocks versus the seven-period schedule currently used at the high schools.

Thank you to the industry partners who came together to make this possible!

6. Cypress Rail Acquires Assets in GF Region from Northern Plains Rail

Cypress Rail Solutions has acquired railcar maintenance assets from Northern Plains Railroad Services. Cypress was formed by LongWater, an alternative asset management firm focused on the lower middle market that has a location in Fargo, ND. Assets acquired include locations in North Dakota and Minnesota, specifically Grand Forks. Northern Plains Rail will maintain its maintenance shop in Fordville, ND.

7. InternGF Spring 2025 Awardees

The InternGF applications for the Spring 2025 semester were reviewed and approved bringing the total number of dollars awarded to $12,416. These dollars will fund 6 internships across 6 businesses.
Awardees include:

Alerus Center – Administrative Events Intern
All Embracing Home Care – Social Work Intern
Integrated Steel Solutions – Structural Engineer Intern
Praxis Africa Ltd – Social Media and Communications Intern
Retrax – Environmental Health and Safety Intern
True North Equipment – Safety Intern

Applications for the Summer 2025 semester open on January 1st.

8. Cruger Attends GCEC Conference in Boston, Showcases InternGF

Director of Workforce Development Becca Cruger presented about the InternGF Funding Program at the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Center’s Annual Summit in Boston. Cruger was invited to speak alongside the UND Center For Innovation staff. The Summit brings together leaders from entrepreneurship centers around the world for two days of sharing best practices, ideas, and networking.

9. Lund Attends ND Military Commission

EDC President & CEO Keith Lund attended the last North Dakota Military Commission under the current administration on November 15th. The current Lt. Governor, Tammy Miller, presided over the meeting largely focused on legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session. The priorities include workforce development, occupational licensing/interstate compacts, childcare support, healthcare, and youth services for active and reserve forces in ND. Incoming Lt. Governor Michelle Strinden attended, who will chair the commission upon taking office.

10. Cruger & Mathiason Promote GF Region with GF is Cooler at Veterans Virtual Job Fair

EDC Director of Workforce Development Becca Cruger and Workforce Development Specialist Brenna Mathiason attended the Job Service North Dakota Veterans Virtual Job Fair on November 7th. Several job seekers from across the country joined to connect with Grand Forks employers and learn about available opportunities. Cruger and Mathiason showcased what life is like in the Grand Forks region by connecting attendees to the What’s Cooler Today blogs as well as the relocation guide.