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Photo Courtesy of Fargo Moorhead CVB

Smart Brief

Fargo Moorhead MSA has an unemployment rate of 2.3% (not seasonally adjusted) compared to the U.S. unemployment rate of 5.7%. To see the GFMEDC's latest economic indicators, please check out the following link.

October Economic Indicators

President's Report - Working on workforce

All the details have been finalized and the contract signed for TIP Strategies of Austin, Texas to perform a comprehensive Workforce Study for Cass and Clay Counties.

This study will cover all types of employment in our region and will consist of the following main areas:

1. Labor Market Profile - A comprehensive overview of the labor market with a comparison to the state and US

2. Industry and Workforce Alignment - A detailed look at the region's occupational structure and how these skills align with industry

3. Sector Councils - Employer-driven strategies for ensuring the availability of a skilled workforce.

The most important component of the study will be "YOU", businesses, education and non-profits in Cass and Clay Counties.

You will be asked to participate in this study, and the end results will be totally dependent on your engagement and participation. So when you receive a survey please take the time to complete it. If asked to participate in a group or one-on-one interview by the consultants, please say yes and participate.

This workforce study will be YOUR study and hopefully provide you with programs and initiatives that will help you retain and attract the workforce you need today and for your future growth.

Please help us make this Workforce Study a real success. Please make a difference and PARTICIPATE!

GFMEDC and four organizations announce major regional workforce study

As the region consistently boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, workforce presents a challenge to continued economic growth and prosperity. In response to that challenge, five organizations, along with a diverse range of businesses and higher education organizations, have come together to sponsor a first-ever regional workforce study.

TIP Strategies, a consulting firm based in Austin, TX has been hired to lead a six-month study to examine the region's labor market, study the industry-workforce alignment and develop systems for ongoing collaboration to enhance this alignment.

The project will cost an estimated $150,000 with an anticipated November start date. The study will look at labor market characteristics, labor shed definitions, target industry alignment and high-demand occupations. The consulting firm will also conduct sector council facilitation.

The Regional Workforce Partnership & Collaboration involves The Chamber, the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation, the Fargo Moorhead Area Foundation, United Way of Cass-Clay and the Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau along with several sponsors who helped fund the study.

Valley Prosperity Partnership hires lobbyists to support initiatives

The Valley Prosperity Partnership (VPP) has hired two lobbyists from Vogel Law Firm to support initiatives important to the VPP.

Three working groups have so far created white papers focused on water management, workforce challenges and research capacity and relevance.

Water Management

The Valley Prosperity Partnership will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the Valley's water security infrastructure and management systems are fully funded, constructed and operational, effectively protecting against future flooding while providing for a readily sustainable water supply at all times.

Workforce

The Valley Prosperity Partnership will help to coordinate regional talent attraction, development and retention initiatives to ensure the Valley can meet and sustain the current and future employment demands while helping to give North Dakota, Minnesota, and the Valley a greater voice in national policy.

Research Capacity and Relevance

The Valley Prosperity Partnership will work to ensure that the Valley's universities' research and technology commercialization activities are fully funded, can attract quality faculty and can support regional industry and their unique competencies. Within this priority, a critical focus should be placed on the Valley's opportunities associated with the convergence of specialized areas of technology and innovation to include unmanned aerial systems (UAS), precision agriculture, healthcare and medical services, and energy.

In May, the VPP released an action-oriented strategy that identified six focus areas for high value and sustained economic growth in the Red River Valley.

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 Valley

Valley Prosperity Partnership (VPP) Report on Progress Luncheon - SAVE the DATE

Hear more about the work the VPP committees have done since the action agenda was release in May.

The VPP Report on Progress Luncheon

Wednesday, December 10

Noon-1:30

Holiday Inn

Fargo

GFMEDC's Mark Vaux earns prestigious Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) certification from International Economic Development Council

Mark Vaux, EVP Business Development, recently earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), a national recognition that denotes a mastery of principal skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to personal and professional growth. The CEcD exam is administered by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)

The CecD recognizes qualified and dedicated practitioners in the economic development field and sets the standard of excellence within the profession. Candidates must pass a rigorous and comprehensive three-part, two-day examination, which tests a practitioner's knowledge, proficiency and judgment in the key areas of economic development including business retention and expansion, marketing, finance, workforce development, community development, real estate planning, technology-led economic development and management.

Connecting new residents to events, resources in the area through Smart Connections Event

The GFMEDC is getting ready to host another Smart Connections event for folks who are new to the area. The events include a social typically planned around an event happening in the metro. The participants can meet others, ask questions and learn about the community. They also get an opportunity to experience a local event.

Our next event will be held at our GFMEDC office during the Holiday Lights Parade, November 25.

The GFMEDC also invites local people to act as hosts to engage with new residents and create a more welcoming environment.

If you have employees who are new to the area and would like to be invited, please contact us at 364-1900.

Strength of local economy evidenced in number of business expansion projects

The GFMEDC, through its business retention and expansion (BRE) visits, has learned of or assisted with an increasing number of expansion projects across the metro.

Year to date, there are about 34 new business expansion projects adding more than 500 jobs to the Fargo Moorhead region. A conservative estimate of total project value is $81 million (Not all projects disclosed project amounts.)

A spotlight on our programs...

The GFMEDC organizes and supports many programs that focus on helping local businesses succeed and grow.

MSUM Sector Breakfasts- The GFMEDC helps to coordinate an ongoing series of meetings between the university and industry groups to better understand and respond to the skills needed for today's workforce. In 2014, the GFMEDC and the Education that Works Initiative added the sector "education".

Smart Book - The GFMEDC developed this tool to provide an overview of state incentives in North Dakota and Minnesota for businesses. These books are regularly distributed to local lending institutions and other service providers to provide information on opportunities for local businesses.

Professional service provider awareness meetings- The GFMEDC meets annually with commercial brokers and business bankers to inform them of the GFMEDC programs and available incentives for clients.The Smart Book is used in these visits.

Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Visit program -The GFMEDC visits approximately 150 businesses each year. These visits are to informbusiness leaders about incentives and assist in expansions and with workforce needs.

Upcoming Events

1 Million Cups

Every Wednesday 9:15

FMCT The Stage

http://fargo.sites.1millioncups.com/

Hackathon Fargo

December 3rd

Myriad Mobile

503 7th Street N. Fargo

$10

Get Tickets

GFMEDC Annual Meeting video available

The complete annual meeting is now available to watch.

Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation

Check out our 2013 Annual Report

Do you have job openings? Post them on our new careers page and help us market the Fargo Moorhead Metro as a great place to work and live!

Your jobs enhance our website and allow us to better market the region to potential residents.

Your investment includes the opportunity to post your jobs on our careers page. We ask that you limit the jobs to degree-required positions in the Fargo Moorhead Metro.

We appreciate your help!

Please contact Tifanie Gelinske, VP, Workforce Development with questions tgelinske@gfmedc.com or log on and post them at http://www.gfmedc.com/careers/jobs/

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 Lisa Gulland-Nelson at lgnelson@gfmedc.com. Thank you!

The mission of the GFMEDC is to grow and diversify the economy in Cass County, ND and Clay County, Minn. through the attraction, retention and expansion of primary-sector employers.

A primary-sector company is one that brings new wealth into the community through the sale of its goods and services outside the trade area. This new wealth circulates and supports all other sectors of the local economy, thus making the primary sector the principle driver of economic growth.

Thank you for your continued support of the Greater Fargo Moorhead EDC and economic development. We look forward to your feedback.