gfmedccatalyst

greater fargo moorhead economic development corporation

2 0 1 6 • A N N U A L R E P O R T

The GFMEDC will:• Lead the development

of a robust economy where people and businesses thrive

• Strategically pursue job creation and business attraction

• Work with K-12, higher education and industry to ensure a strong talent pipeline

• Support a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem

• Create collaboration between public and private sectorsvi

sion

The Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation (GFMEDC) is a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity. Using a comprehensive approach to economic development, the GFMEDC accelerates job and wealth creation in Cass County, ND and Clay County, Minn.

mission gfmedc

a ca

taly

st fo

r eco

nom

ic gr

owth As we approach the midpoint of our 2015-2020 strategic

plan, the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is well-positioned to support job and wealth creation. The EDC continues to be a catalyst in our region focusing on: business retention & attraction, workforce and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

We call on more than 150 businesses each year to ensure we understand their challenges and barriers to growth. Attracting new businesses, while still part of our strategy, has taken a secondary role because we lack available workforce to support businesses interested in moving to our region.

Workforce is a challenge we have faced for many years. We continuously search for new and innovative ways to support

recruitment, retention and development of workforce. A three-pronged approach is vital to answer the challenge. Our strategy goes beyond recruitment and retention and includes education support to ensure students gain the skills needed for success.

The EDC strongly supports the entrepreneurial community. Our region is recognized as an up-and-coming entrepreneurial hotbed. Organizations like Emerging Prairie and Folkways, as well as support of higher education, fuel entrepreneurial growth and vitality.

To support our work and diversify our revenue, we increased investor outreach and grant funding. Our new tiered investor program provides clear and tangible benefits.

Our economy has remained stable despite a continued downturn in the agricultural manufacturing sector. Regionally, our sector diversity including healthcare, manufacturing, distribution, education and technology, provided overall market stability. With farm equipment sales up slightly for the first time in recent years, the agriculture manufacturers moved into 2017 with a fair amount of optimism. We are excited for what’s to come. We continue marketing efforts to attract companies in targeted sectors like embedded technology and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), which further increases our economic diversity.

A sincere thank you to the EDC staff and Board of Directors for their hard work and dedication and a big thank you to our investors for supporting the EDC and economic development.

The EDC is a catalyst that brings together many partners in the community to support economic growth. We are proud of our work and proud to be a catalyst for our region.

JIM GARTIN President, GFMEDC • TAMMY MILLER Chair, GFMEDC Board of Directors

the edc, a catalyst

The EDC’s playbook is full. Our organization attends and supports 1 Million Cups, the entrepreneurial gathering; meets with K-12 superintendents; organizes manufacturing tours for high schoolers and recruits companies to our community (and that’s just a small sampling of our activities).

We’re a bit different from the economic development corporation you might remember. We’ve evolved in response to the current economic climate.

Our business attraction strategy targets specific sectors like technology and unmanned aerial systems (drones). But we do so much more to create a community that is attractive to new business. This is important since we boast a very low unemployment rate with a high number of open jobs which inhibits our ability to recruit companies to the area.

Our organization sees a bigger picture for the Fargo Moorhead metro. We see a region where education, entrepreneurism and businesses come together to create a better economy.

Our vision includes a place where education equips needed workers, as well as future leaders, who take ideas and turn them into companies. With that in mind, we partner with area schools and higher education institutions to prepare a workforce that aligns with industry and business needs. We also meet with companies on a regular basis. From those conversations, we create, promote or enhance policies

Why do we call ourselves a catalyst?

A catalyst is something that creates

energy and provides pathways that

cause reactions, events or changes

to happen more quickly.

and programs that support business growth. New businesses want to move to a community that is vibrant and dynamic. Great education, supportive infrastructure and business-friendly legislation are part of making an attractive community. When you look at it from a broad, long-term perspective, it all makes sense.

We bring people together with a shared vision for a vibrant regional economy. Working on multiple fronts, the EDC creates pathways for collaboration between public and private sectors and supports environments that lead to job and wealth creation.

The synergies created by these efforts and shared vision create an extraordinary environment for work, learning and living. Our efforts help to develop, attract and retain a qualified workforce, while bringing in new business and taking existing businesses to new levels. We inspire entrepreneurs and equip influencers to successfully market our region to the world.

CONNECTS CHANGE MAKERS

ADVANCES EXISTING BUSINESS

JOB CREATION

ATTRACTS PEOPLE &

BUSINESSES

INSPIRES ENTREPRENEURS

The GFMEDC is a key catalyst for business growth and prosperity.

EQUIPS SELLERS AND

SEEKERS

Agency Partners

Area Schools

Valley Prosperity

Partnership

Diverse Industry

Base

Millenial Magnet

Smart Move

#iloveFM

Job Shadow

Educators in Industry

Partners in Classroom

Storytelling Tools

Industry Summits

Economic Developers

Startup Support

Prairie Den

Emerging Prairie

AIDS STEM & WORKFORCE

DEVELOPMENT

Education

Manufacturing Tours

workforceIn 2016, the Fargo Moorhead regional unemployment rate averaged around 2.60. In fact, the FM area has boasted one of the lowest unemployment rates nationally for many years. We also have a high number of open jobs. In some ways, that’s good news. It means we have a healthy economy with a lot of people working; however, there is a downside. A lack of employees can hinder growth. Companies may not be able to get projects done or take on new projects. The EDC works to solve that challenge through recruitment, retention and development initiatives.

PARTNERS IN THE CLASSROOMOne speaker can educate, motivate and inspire students. Through Partners in the Classroom, we connect educators with the most appropriate industry representative for their topic. Regional experts volunteer to speak to and work with students. In 2016, the EDC facilitated more than 55 teacher requests resulting in at least 157 volunteer connections in both K-12 and higher education.

teacher requests

volunteer connections

Education that Works Nestled between industry and education, the EDC has a unique vantage point. We understand the demands of industry as well as the challenges education faces. Through the Education that Works initiative, the EDC, United Way of Cass- Clay and K-12 education leaders create and support programs that better prepare students and educators for the changing economy. For three years, we’ve worked on several goals including: accelerating professional development, communicating the importance of project-based learning, the four C’s (communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity) and working with higher education to enhance teacher preparation at the college level.

Educators in IndustryHundreds of students will benefit from the real-world experiences their teachers received through a unique internship. In the summer of 2016, teachers participated in four-week internships with area industries. The teachers observed how companies do business and learned what it takes to succeed in the workplace. Based on their experiences, teachers then created project-based learning activities to enhance their curriculum. Six years into the program, Educators in Industry has gained traction across the state of North Dakota, and teachers continue to call the experience transformational. In 2016, 16 teachers participated with ten of those in the FM area. Forty-four teachers have participated in the program since it began. Company participants include: Bobcat, Microsoft, Sanford Health, Border States Electric, Moore Engineering, Trail King, KLJ and John Deere Electronic Solutions.

The second grader’s face was a combination of surprise, pride and more than a little relief.

He’d just rattled off correct answers presented one after the other, quick-quick-quick, no time to think. Six weeks earlier he couldn’t grasp the concept of 10, let alone solutions to problems with higher numbers. But there he was, near the end of a 10-week enrichment program, grinning wide after a rapid-fire exercise involving numbers up to 20.

His math mentor, Josh Roesler, saw even more in the boy’s expression.

Here was a student who, for the first time, was envisioning problems and getting the “Why?” behind the solutions. New confidence that would help him do much better in math – and life – was there, too. And he saw someone who, just maybe, because of Roesler’s influence, might go into a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) field one day.

Multilevel enrichmentThe connection between the boy and Roesler, a senior in mechanical engineering at North Dakota State University, started months earlier when the GFMEDC saw an opportunity to provide additional assistance to second graders. We reached out to Holly Erickson, the STEM outreach coordinator in the NDSU College of Engineering, for help.

Erickson worked with Ed Clapp Principal Jennifer Schuldheisz and teacher Jennifer Kujanson to design a pilot program that would give kids at all levels of ability extra exposure to math concepts under the guidance of exceptional engineering students.

The GFMEDC provided $2,000 for two stipends, and Erickson knew just who she wanted as her first math mentors.

Factors of fluency Erickson spent time with Roesler and Mackayla Headlee, a senior in electrical engineering, on teaching strategies,

The kids just need to know whyElementary students see solutions in math mentor program

“It’s really an inquiry-

based approach where

we provide students

opportunities to develop

conceptual understanding

rather than just saying,

‘This is how you do it.’”

– Jennifer Schuldheisz, Ed Clapp Principal

classroom control and other essentials. They also developed a six-week plan based on the Add+VantageMR® (AVMR) methods of math instruction embraced by Fargo Public Schools.

“It’s really an inquiry-based approach where we provide students opportunities to develop conceptual understanding rather than just saying, ‘This is how you do it,’” Schuldheisz explained. “Students learn there is usually more than one way to approach and solve a problem and that math is supposed to make sense.”

Erickson, a former English Language Learner and STEM teacher, likens it to sight words for young readers. “If you know your sight words and phonetic alphabet, you’re going to be a much faster, more fluent reader. Visualizing solutions has the same effect in math.”

For the first four weeks, the NDSU students sat in on regular math time, observing, helping out and letting the students get to know them. From there they introduced students grouped as high and low achievers based on

Kujanson’s classroom observations and AVMR assessments from fall and winter to projects that were the basis for the next six weeks.

Mentorship from one to fiveHeadlee and high achievers spent an hour each week working on “The T-Shirt Factory,” a project for teaching place value. Students solved problems like this: You’re selling T-Shirts for $10 each and you sell them in singles, rolls of 10, and boxes of 10 rolls of 10 shirts. If a customer wants 738 shirts, how many boxes do you need, and how much will it cost?

Roesler and the low achievers met twice a week on either “The T-Shirt Factory” or “The Double-Decker Bus.” The Double-Decker Bus has 20 seats, 10 on each level, and the driver wants to know how many are available at all times. If he knows 13 people have boarded and none have exited, and if he can see five people on the lower level in the rearview mirror, how many passengers are up top?

Both mentors used the Math Congress approach, in which pairs of students come up with problem solutions, then explain and defend their reasoning to a larger group.

Some students who started the 2015-16 school year with a one on the zero-to-five AVMR assessment scale finished at five. Not everyone jumped that many levels, but all the students improved.

Based on that, Schuldheisz gave her go-ahead for an expansion of the Math Mentor Program in 2016-17.

“Student achievement is essential, obviously, but an unexpected outcome that was just as important was the connection our students had with the college students,” she said. “Students who had never thought about going to college suddenly were talking about it.”

The bus rolls onThe Math Mentor Program is rolling again at Ed Clapp, this time with four 2nd-grade classes and eight NDSU mentors.

Headlee is now at Burns & McDonnell, Kansas City. Roesler works at Appareo Systems, Fargo, and tutors students in his free time.

“It’s really cool to see a student who, at the beginning, you don’t know if you’re really reaching them,” he said. “At some point you see it click, and when you’ve been through all the lessons, you can really see they’ve made strides in how they understand the concepts behind the numbers.”

“Student achievement is essential, obviously, but an unexpected outcome that was just as important was

the connection our students had with the college students,” she said. “Students who had never thought

about going to college suddenly were talking about it.” – Jennifer Schuldheisz, Ed Clapp Principal

Workforce StudyWhen you’re faced with a long-term, critical workforce shortage, a unified community effort may be your best strategy. In 2015, our EDC partnered with four local organizations: the Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, The Chamber of Commerce of Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo, FM Area Foundation and United Way of Cass-Clay, to tackle our workforce challenge. Three years into the process, more than 200 volunteers drive four initiatives:

CULTIVATE: Strengthen the pipeline of local talent to support regional employers.ATTRACT: Enhance and coordinate efforts to bring new talent to the region.BUILD: Develop a framework for financial self-sufficiency and upward mobility for workers in basic-skill jobs. INNOVATE: Encourage the development of innovative solutions to address the region’s workforce-related challenges.

workforcegfmedc

Manufacturing Day ToursIn 2016, more than 130 high school students got a firsthand look at what a modern manufacturing facility looks like. Students hopped on a bus and spent the day touring local manufacturing firms. The tours provided a hands-on experience with the high-tech, high-paying manufacturing jobs available today. Since the program’s inception in 2013, more than 700 students have toured local manufacturing facilities.

four initiatives4

FM welcome partyAs part of a larger strategy to support workforce retention, our organization hosts FM Welcome parties to welcome new residents to the community. Twice a year we host a party, providing food, entertainment and lots of regional information. Volunteer hosts, who have moved here themselves, provide additional information and personal experiences, as well as connections.

Entrepreneurial (Priority 4&5)

Why we do it/the results

Graphic – ways we help - resource connections - Sponsorhips/programs - connect to others

entrepreneurial supportOver the years, entrepreneurial support has become one of the EDC’s primary focuses. The region’s low unemployment rate limits our ability to attract large businesses to Fargo Moorhead. At the same time, the region houses talented people with great ideas. With a bit of luck, the right resources and a lot of hard work, those ideas can grow into businesses that add jobs and stimulate our economy.

FUELING INNOVATION The EDC supports and inspires innovation through programs and processes that educate, connect and guide innovators and entrepreneurs to the next stage. We believe each touchpoint is important. It could be as simple as an introduction or a brief brainstorming meeting. It could be something big like helping to create a coworking space. Small or big, each action holds the potential to move entrepreneurs closer to their goals.

The EDC works alongside other community supporters, facilitating and sponsoring conversations and events. 85assistance provided to 85 entrepeneurs

Emerging Prairie The EDC is a strong supporter of Emerging Prairie with both time and money. We see this partner as a younger, more casually dressed version of us. Focused on the technology and entrepreneurial community, Emerging Prairie works to facilitate events and programs that push ideas into businesses.

EDC-supported events and initiativesStartup Weekend 1 Million Cups Drone Focus ConferenceCo.StartersEmerging PrairiePrairie DenTech TailgateFolkwaysSBA Emerging Leaders Program

The EDC was the 2016 recipient of the Information Technology Council of North Dakota’s ND IT Champion award.

Every additional job contributes to a growing economy and improved quality of life. A job might result from a newly recruited business, an expansion or a startup. We work hard to recruit new companies and support the retention and expansion of local businesses.

business expansion + new business

NEW BUSINESSES

Local businesses are the soul of our economy. When our companies have the resources needed to accomplish their mission, they prosper and our economy benefits. We manage a robust business and retention program meeting with as many primary-sector companies as we can.

We made 150 business retention visits in 2016, asking company leaders what’s working and what resources they need. With that information, we worked to enhance policies and programs and create or advocate for additional resources and infrastructure to support growth.

Bayer Value Added Agriculture — Bayer researches and develops molecular products to drive innovation and improve quality of life for humans, animals and plants. Located in Sabin, Minn., the company is investing $3.5 million in a 13,000-square-foot facility and expects to add three new jobs.

FedEx Air Distribution — FedEx Air opened a facility near the Fargo Airport, investing $1 million to repurpose an existing facility and $5.3 million to add an additional structure. The company will create more than 75 full and part-time jobs.

EXP

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PG

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DES Digi-Key Distribution — Digi-Key

Electronics distributes electronic components for more than 650 industry-leading suppliers. Digi-Key has invested $10 million in automation equipment in its Fargo location and expects to add 50 new jobs in Fargo. Digi-Key is head-quartered in Thief River Falls, Minn.

Monsanto Valued Added Agriculture —Monsanto delivers agricultural products for farmers around the world including various seeds and herbicides all designed to increase efficiency and sustainability. Monsanto invested more than $1 million in equipment in its West Fargo location to meet increased customer demands.

SpaceAge Synthetics Manufacturing — SpaceAge Synthetics, a Fargo-based company, manufactures reinforced composite products for the marine, transportation and building products industries. The company recently invested roughly $1 million in capital investment and plans to add at least five new jobs.

Dakota Specialty Milling Value Added Agriculture —After 48 years in business, Fargo-based Dakota Specialty Milling began an eight-year multi-phase, multi-million-dollar expansion project. The company plans to invest in property and facility improvements adding many new jobs. New equipment will increase capacity by more than 300 percent. The company also purchased two contiguous pieces of property, one that houses a gluten-free production facility. Dakota Specialty Milling is one of the largest suppliers of custom-milled ingredients and wholegrain blends in North America.

“There has been a lot of

encouragement and support

on the local level and from

the state. It’s a great business

climate, and there’s a lot of

support you wouldn’t find in

other states. North Dakota

does a lot to enhance business

growth.”

– Peter Matthaei, CEO, Dakota Specialty Milling

Still growing after 48 years

business developmentgfmedc

Smart Move Summit The EDC’s one-day Smart Move Summit brought education and industry leaders together to tackle issues standing in the way of economic growth. The summit focused on workforce challenges and opportunities, CEO best practices, and industry-specific education and roundtable discussions.

A panel of company representatives discussed the importance of a strong company culture in retention efforts. An education panel talked about the changes and needs in both K-12 and higher education. Building on discussions held during the summit, action committees continue to address challenges in healthcare, engineering, manufacturing and technology.

“I just wanted to share my sincere thanks and appreciation for the opportunity to share my story about my ‘Second Chance’ at the Smart Move Summit yesterday. I really enjoyed the whole program, and learned a lot of very practical information. The event was very well organized and impeccably planned,” said Molly Theis, Solid Comfort, Inc.

Valley Prosperity PartnershipWith a mission to drive long-term economic growth and sustainability across the Red River Valley, the Valley Prosperity Partnership serves as a voice for local businesses. One of the VPP’s primary focuses is advocating for business-friendly legislation in North Dakota. Started by William Marcil Sr., 26 regional leaders from Minnesota and North Dakota signed on in 2013.

VPP committee members, representing industries and higher education from across the Red River Valley, focus on six strategies: • Workforce attraction, development and retention• Water security and management for the Valley• University research capacity and relevancy• Entrepreneurial activity and output• Infrastructure development and capital improvements• Perceptions of the Valleysix VPP strategies

6

Protosthetics is advancing the industry of prosthetics and orthotics through innovative design and additive manufacturing of affordable devices. Founded by NDSU students, its mission is to deliver a full suite of affordable, effective and accessible products.

Leidholm Technologies was initially formed to provide software development resources to companies improving their technology needs. While providing these services, Leidholm Technologies has also developed two of its own products. Grizzly Quote is a quoting, invoicing and time-tracking tool. Through a development partnership, PaidYET was created as a virtual point-of-sale platform with swipe-less transactions and patent-pending, one-click payments.

Advanced Bone Technology is a startup founded by NDSU graduate students who have created an artificial bone platform, SimuBone. The product uses 3D printing to recreate human bone material. The standard for device, therapy, and procedure development has been human cadaver or animal testing. Simubone is the most realistic alternative to bone available. The product would allow device, training and medical procedure developers to test their products more efficiently, consistently and affordably.

Harvest Profit Ag is a farm-business software startup that works with farmers to assist them in confidently analyzing, executing, and tracking their farm management through profit-focused farm business decisions. Harvest Profit Ag has been working with clients to further refine the software and launch new functions.

Intelligent Malt is a provider of automated malting equipment and malting facility design services for the growing craft malting industry. Intelligent Malt’s equipment allows for the automatic processing of raw barley into finished malt, bringing years of malting experience and cereal science to bear in easy-to-use, economical, commodity processing equipment. The equipment’s utility in malting barley also makes it useful for commodity processing for natural products, like sprouted grains.

OpGo Marketing provides marketing performance analysis services to make sales and marketing teams more efficient and marketing plans effective. Its automated tool efficiently analyzes the clients’ sales and marketing efforts, and allows OpGo to supply relevant and guided solutions for its clients’ marketing plans. The startup is located in the NDSU Research & Tech Park Incubator.

SpinUps designs, develops and markets fitness equipment and exercise routines for the equipment. Inspired by improvised military workouts while stationed in Afghanistan, the product and system targets customers looking for hard-core workouts. SpinUps recently worked with the Rugged Maniac obstacle events and continue to broaden its customer base.

Jumpr is a trip sharing online tool that connects riders and drivers with a common destination. A product of a Fargo Startup House tenant, Jumpr’s software allows drivers to earn money by sharing the open seats in their car. In its first year, users posted trips across 23 states.

2016

sta

rtup

s

Ask questions. Share crazy ideas.

One startup’s winning formula.

“I was overwhelmed

by the support and

programs available

to help my company

grow. It was amazing.”

Ray Berry, CEO OmniByte Technology

OmniByte Technology is driven by the phrase “Ask questions. Share crazy ideas.” It seems to be working. Ray Berry and his business partner, Brian Gietzen, started the company in June of 2015. Berry says persistence and fun have been a big component as they’ve grown to a 14-person company with the potential for $1 million in revenue in 2017. Nestled in NDSU’s Research & Technology Park, OmniByte’s goal is to make simple, affordable mobile and web applications for businesses. The company is focused on field service businesses like electricians, plumbers or HVAC technicians. OmniByte creates simple, straightforward apps reducing or eliminating the need for paper forms. Technicians input their information on their phone or handheld computer. OmniByte offers three products within the field service industry. The company’s fourth product, rTown, provides small towns with a simple, affordable mobile app. The North Dakota company draws a majority of its revenue from outside Minnesota and North Dakota. With the help of the EDC, OmniByte became primary-sector certified opening the door to various incentives and programs. OmniByte has used the ND New Jobs Training Program, participated in InnovateND and recently received a Flex PACE loan. Berry also credits the NDSU Research & Tech Park for a variety of resources and assistance.

by the numbersgfmedc2016

RECRUITINGThe GFMEDC recruits through marketing initiatives and by responding to inquiries and proposals. We responded to 23 new business projects in 2016. Requests originated with companies from outside the area, entrepreneurs, local sources, site selectors, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and the North Dakota Department of Commerce. 23 new business projects

23Capital InvestmentsTotal Capital 2016 ...................................$108,095,790Property 2016 ...........................................$51,397,711Equipment 2016 .......................................$56,698,079

Growth Initiative Fund2016 loans approved: 11 ...............................$481,0002016 loans funded: 7 .................................... $276,585• Total capital investment of the 11 approved

projects was $9,518,000.• The four approvals for child care included the

addition of 347 child care spots into the community.347

appr

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7 ch

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2016 FT 2015 FT Change %Back Office 4,066 3,806 260 7%Corp HQ 1,693 1,677 16 1%Distribution 712 691 21 3%IT 3,181 3,039 142 5%Life Sciences 132 116 16 14%Manufacturing 5,336 5,386 -50 -1%Physical Sciences 157 155 2 1%Value Added Ag 1,000 981 19 2%Total 16,277 15,851 426 3%Survey Data response rate: 164 out of 238 (69%)

Primary-Sector Employment

FM AmbassadorsMore than 230 FM Ambassadors share content across social media platforms every week. Over the past year, FM Ambassadors have garnered more than 650,000 total impressions. That’s a total earned media value hit of more than $55,000.

Career FM Promotes JobsWe continue to market the region’s jobs through our online careers page. We look for creative ways to increase exposure to the jobs on our website, including sharing them across social media platforms.

marketingWe believe this is one of the best places to live and work, and we have quite a few facts to back up our claim: great companies with an abundance of jobs, arts and culture, events, safe neighborhoods, great schools, clean air, and on and on. The EDC markets the region to attract people and businesses. We also recruit enthusiastic locals who love it here and want to share that message.

230 FM Ambassadors created more than 650,000 social media impressions during the past year

230 650,000

College BrochureWhen we talked to a group of students who attend local colleges and universities, we learned that almost all of them picked their school with no expectations of Fargo Moorhead. In other words, they didn’t think Fargo Moorhead was going to be all that great. We took their feedback and redesigned our college-focused brochure. It’s intended to be a companion piece to the materials local higher education institutions already use. While their marketing materials sell their respective schools, ours will sell the community and all the benefits it offers.

FM MagazineThe EDC partnered with Forum Communications Company to produce the 2016 Impact Magazine. Published yearly, the magazine highlights health, education, and arts and culture in our community. Impact is distributed nationally.

Follow usWe are joining conversations and sharing the great things happening here.

Like us, follow us, check us out.

www.facebook/careerfm

@careerfm

CareerFM

smartmovefargomoorhead

Blog: www.areavoices.smartmovefargomoorhead.com

college

Where college is just the beginning of the college experience

Fargo Moorhead

“Fargo-MoorheadA MillennialMagnet.” -USA TODAY

smartmovefm.com

From Arizona to Fargo-Moorhead

Jamie Behymer, Full-time Student

Part-time Fargo Ambassador

Through a college match test, Jamie discovered NDSU and the Fargo-Moorhead community. Here’s just a few reasons why she’ll stay:

“I can see myself living here...

a place where I believe it will be easier to be

successful.”

• A thriving economy and countless career opportunities.

• 75 percent of NDSU graduates are staying in-state for careers according to the NDSU Career Center. This contributes to Fargo-Moorhead’s very young and exciting atmosphere.

• Big city amenities with a small town atmosphere.

• A historic and bustling downtown.

• A safe community with nationally-ranked school systems.

Visit us today and find your own reasons to make the smart move to Fargo-Moorhead.

smartmovefm.com

Send a message to your friends today. This is a great place to live and work.

Now, that’s a smart phone.

investorsFOUNDER $50,000 AND ABOVE Cass County Electric Cooperative • Cass County • Clay County

LEADER $20,000 – 49,999 Alerus Financial • Bell Bank • Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota • Border States Electric

• Forum Communications Co. • Gate City Bank • John Deere Electronic Solutions • Sanford Health • U.S. Bank Foundation •

Xcel Energy • City of Moorhead-EDA

INNOVATOR $7,500-19,999 Bobcat Company • Bremer Financial Corporation • Dakota Supply Group, Inc. • Eide Bailly,

LLP • Essentia Health • Goldmark Commercial Real Estate Inc. • Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson • Microsoft • Moorhead Public

Service • Otter Tail Corporation • RDO Equipment Company • TMI Hospitality • Wells Fargo Bank North Dakota • West Acres

Development, LLP • City of West Fargo

ACCELERATOR $2,500-7,499 AE2S • American Crystal Sugar Co. • Amity Technology • Cardinal IG Company • Caterpillar

Reman Drivetrain, LLC • Cornerstone Bank • Flint Communications, Inc. • FM Area Association of Realtors • Fredrikson &

Byron, P.A. • Gremada Industries • Holiday Inn • Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead • Moore Engineering, Inc. •

Mortenson Construction • Olaf Anderson & Son Construction • Park Company Realtors • Roers’ Construction & Development,

Inc. • Starion Financial • Strata Corporation • True North Steel • Vogel Law Firm • Casselton JDA • Fargo Automaton • First

International Bank & Trust

ENTREPRENEUR $1,000-2,499 Advanced Business Methods • Appareo Systems • Arthur Ventures LLC • Beverage

Wholesalers, Inc. • Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) • Cable One Inc. • Capital Credit Union • Choice Financial Group •

Christianson’s Business Furniture • Consolidated Communications • Crary Industries • Dawson Insurance • D-S Beverages,

Inc. • Fargo Jet Center/Weather Modification, Inc. • Fargo Moorhead Area Foundation • Fargo-Moorhead Convention and

Visitors Bureau • Fiebiger, Swanson, West & Co., PLLP • Great Western Bank • Happy Harry’s Bottle Shops • Indigo Signworks,

Inc. • Integreon • JLG Architects • McNeilus Steel • Midco • Fargo Municipal Airport Authority • Nilles Law Firm • NDSCS •

Northern Plumbing Supply • Odney • Pepsi Bottling Group • Preference Employment Solutions • Promersberger Company •

QBE NAU • Red River Commodities, Inc. • Robert Gibb & Sons, Inc • Royal Jewelers • T.L. Stroh Architects, LTD • The Marvin

Company • The Title Company • Ulteig Engineers, Inc. • Union State Bank of Fargo • United Way of Cass Clay • Warner and

Company Insurance • Western State Bank • Dakota Certified Development Corporation • Real Truck • Sundog Interactive, Inc

• T F Powers Construction • Wanzek Construction

OTHER Appraisal Services Inc. • Cole Papers • Concorde General Agency, Inc. • Dakota Specialty Milling • First State Bank

of North Dakota • Mid-America Aviation (MOOG) • NDSU Research & Technology Park, Inc. • Property Resources Group •

Spherion Staffing • The Chamber • Tri-College University

Executive CommitteeJeffry Volk, Chair President and CEO, Moore Engineering Inc.

Randy Gerhold, Chair-Elect Partner Engineering Manager and Fargo R&D Site Leader, Microsoft

Judd Graham, Treasurer Market President, Bremer Bank

Marshal Albright, Secretary President & CEO, Cass County Electric Cooperative

Tammy Miller, Immediate Past-Chair CEO, Border States Electric

Thomas J. Budan General Manager, John Deere Electronic Solutions

Denise Kolpack Sr. Vice President Communications, Public Affairs and Strategy, BCBSND

Grant Weyland Clay County Commission

Chad Peterson Cass County Commission

At-Large DirectorsJames Burgum Co-founder and Managing Partner, Arthur Ventures

Brent Teiken CEO, Sundog Interactive

Bryce Johnson Executive Vice President, Home Builders Association of Fargo Moorhead

Paul Richard Executive Vice President, Sanford Health Systems

Todd Kumm CEO, Dakota Supply Group Inc.

Denise Magness Executive Vice President and COO, Warner and Company Insurance

James P. Sweeney President, Fargo Jet Center, Inc.

Jim Buus President, GOLDMARK Commercial Real Estate, Inc.

Teresa Warne Vice President of Finance, American Crystal Sugar Co.

Kevin Biffert President, Fargo Automation

Delton Steele Regional President, U.S. Bank Southeast ND Region

Agency DirectorsDr. Dean Bresciani President, NDSU

Kevin Campbell Clay County Commission

Dr. William Craft President, Concordia College

Timothy J. Mahoney, M.D. Mayor, City of Fargo

Rich Mattern Mayor, City of West Fargo

Jesse Hagen Casselton JDA

Rick Steen Cass County Commission

Dr. Anne Blackhurst President, MSUM

Del Rae Williams Mayor, City of Moorhead

Dave Piepkorn Fargo City Commission

Community DirectorsDr. Jeffrey Schatz Superintendent, Fargo Public Schools

Dr. Lynne A. Kovash Superintendent, Moorhead Area Public Schools

Dr. David Flowers Superintendent, West Fargo Public Schools

Honorary Board MembersDr. John Richman President, NDSCS

Dr. Peggy Kennedy President, MState

2017 Growth Initiative Fund BoardGreg Mastrud, Chair First International Bank and Trust

Chad Sapa, Vice-Chair Cass County Electric Cooperative

F. John Williams, Treasurer Fredrikson & Bryron, P.A.

Shelly Kegley, Secretary Bell Bank

Bernie Sinner First State Bank of North Dakota

James Burgum Arthur Ventures

Chuck Hoge NDSU Research & Technology Park

2017 board

our staff James Gartin President

Tifanie Gelinske Vice President, Workforce Development

Lisa Gulland-Nelson Vice President, Marketing and Public Relations

Libby Larson Finance/Office Manager

John Machacek Sr. Vice President Finance & Entrepreneurial Development

Missy Froeber Executive Assistant

Mark Vaux Executive Vice President, Business Development

Sammi Rowe Project Manager

51 Broadway Suite 500Fargo, ND 58102 701-364-1900Toll Free: 877-243-0821Fax: 701-293-7819info@gfmedc.com