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Growth Initiative Fund provides a $2 million North Dakota Centers of Excellence match to NDSU's Vaccine Center, the Center for Biopharmaceutical Research & Production (CBRP)
Aligning with the GFMEDC Cass Clay Economic Plan, the GIF provided a $2 million ND Centers of Excellence match for NDSU's Center for Biopharmaceutical Research and Production (CBRP). The CBRP will receive about $9 million including both in-kind and cash contributions.
The CBRP will construct a state of the art wet lab and office space at the Batcheller Technology Center located in the NDSU Research and Technology Park. They will also continue to recruit top notch talent who can manage the CBRP.
One of the goals of the CBRP's is to help people working in the biopharmaceutical space transition research or ideas into viable concepts and then into clinical trials.
The Cass Clay Economic Plan contains a component that focuses on growing a cluster of biotechnology companies, specifically in the area of vaccines and vaccine research through the attraction and expansion of businesses into the region and by assisting start-ups and entrepreneurs. |
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Search continues for GFMEDC president
Four candidates are scheduled to interview for the GFMEDC president position:
Steven Anderson, recently the president and CEO of Lake County Partners Inc., Libertyville, Ill
James Gartin, president and CEO of Lenawee EDC, Adrian, Mich.
Mike Kirchhoff, recently vice president for business retention and recruitment at the EDC of Kansas City, Kansas City, MO
Donald Berg, Interim President of GFMEDC.
The GFMEDC search committee hopes to have a president in place by February.
Jorgenson Consulting Inc. (JCI) is leading the search. JCI is a national executive search firm serving community and economic development organizations throughout the United States.
Kevin McKinnon resigned from the GFMEDC in November and returned to the State of Minnesota. McKinnon cited personal reasons for his decision. He served as GFMEDC president for approximately one year.
The search committee members are: Ann McConn, GFMEDC Chair and President of Alerus Financial, Dennis Millirons, Sanford Health; Brad Schlossman, West Acres Development; Cheri Schoenfish, Microsoft; Tom Dawson, Dawson Insurance; Jerry Waller, Clay County Commission; Scott Wagner, Cass County Commission; Mark Nisbet, Xcel Energy; Lloyd Case, Forum Communications; and Pete Fullerton, Cornerstone Bank.
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American Airlines files Chapter 11, officials say it won't affect service
A recent American Airlines decision to file for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankrupcty Code will not affect normal business operation nor will it affect the airline's commitment to it's five hubs. That is according to a recent email sent by an American Airlines Vice President. "The Chapter 11 process lets us continue normal business operations while we restructure our debt, costs and other obligations, and gives us much more flexibility to address these matters while preserving the fundamental value of our business and operations," said John Nicks, VP Corporate Services & Supply Chain.
The Fargo Airport was recently awarded a small community air service development grant worth $750,000 from the Federal Government. That grant combined with local contributions will total roughly one million dollars. The Fargo Airport and Sixel Consulting will continue their efforts to add American Airlines service to and from Dallas/Fort Worth. Airport officials don't expect American's recent decision to file for Chapter 11 to affect those ongoing conversations. Under the grant, the Airport can solicit service to Seattle as an alternative option.
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Mircrosoft, Hitachi Consulting announce joint venture
A joint venture between Microsoft and Hitachi Consulting has formed to develop new software for Microsoft's business group. Officials recently announced the venture saying they expect to add 20 jobs within six months. The organization is establishing a technical development center and will work out the Microsoft Campus at first but could expand. The new venture could mean as many as 1,500 technology jobs in the future.
Hitachi Consulting cited the workforce as a major factor is deciding to add a location in Fargo. The company also has technology hubs in India and China.
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Visa program could bring in more foreign investments; GFMEDC co-organized and co-sponsored information session with UND
The GFMEDC recently collaborated with the UND Center for Innovation Foundation to provide an informational session on EB-5, which is a category of visa.
The EB-5 program allows a foreign investor to obtain a provisional green card if they invest one million dollars in an eligible American company. In some rural and targeted employment areas, the investment can be as low as $500,000.
The UND Center for Innovation Foundation is the only EB-5 Regional Center in North Dakota and Northwest Minnesota.
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Black Friday job fair a success
A Black Friday Job Fair which focused on engineers returning home for the Thanksgiving holiday was a success. More than 40 candidates showed up to the event. Five companies with a strong demand for engineers, especially electrical engineers, were on hand as well as ND Job Service and Spherion Staffing. The GFMEDC sponsored the event and received excellent feedback from job seekers as well as company representatives.
"The Black Friday Career Fair exceeded our expectations. We had a constant flow of candidates to visit with who were interested in moving back to the area and being part of the Bobcat team. The majority were experienced engineers who will make a good fit for some of our current or future openings," said Tina Amerman, Human Resources Manager, Bobcat. |
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Health, Tech & Trades Career Expo exposes 9th graders to many occupations
More than 2,000 students headed to the FargoDome for the Health Tech & Trades Career Expo. The students had the opportunity to check out about 75 companies in professions ranging from health care to the skilled trades.
The GFMEDC helped plan and also sponsored the event. Reporter, Danielle Miller, WDAY T.V., covered the story.
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GFMEDC investment campaign going strong
The GFMEDC and its board of directors would like to thank all the regional businesses that continue to pledge their support to the GFMEDC and economic development.
The GFMEDC is 60% of the way to its goal for the 2012-2015 Focus Campaign. If you would like more information about becoming an investor, check out www.gfmedc.com/benefitsofinvesting
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In the News...
North Dakota tops another list; this one comparing economic competitiveness. "Which States are Growing More Competitive" www.newgeography.com
Forbes puts North Dakota at #4 of The Best States for Business
www.forbes.com
Fargo Moorhead is #2 on Livability's List of Top Ten Winter Cities
www.livability.com
Fargo Moorhead is #3 on Men's Health ranking of Blues Proof Cities
www.menshealth.com
A FOX News story takes a look at North Dakota's economy and the relative hunt for jobs on the western side of the state "Unprecendented Boom has jobs looking for people in North Dakota" by Kelly David Burke
www.foxnews.com |
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Do you have news to share?
If you have news items you would like included in an upcoming newsletter, please send the ideas or articles to lgnelson@gfmedc.com. Thank you! |
