Our new five-year strategic plan was presented to our Board on December 17, 2014 by Fourth Economy from Pittsburg, PA. The Board accepted and approved the new plan which will help guide the EDC in our planning and implementation.

Five key priorities will become the base for all of our projects and initiatives. Fourth Economy also recommended that the EDC review and expand our mission and focus to include entrepreneurial development activities in addition to primary sector related business.

The five priorities are:

1. Facilitate the attraction of talent to our region: focusing on Ex Pats, building the Fargo brand and hosting talent attraction missions.

2. Encourage the expansion and awareness of: tech training, higher education and STEM Education in K-12.

3. Advance an advocacy agenda: flood and water supply, air & rail service, immigration and broadband expansion.

4. Help leverage industry and NDSU research capabilities for product commercialization.

5. Continue to develop a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.

This new strategic plan was devised to be an active document which can be adaptable to market and regional changes and one that will create working groups to help implement the recommendations.

The success of this new strategic direction will depend on active participation from the community, so as an investor, if any of these five priorities are important to you or your organization, let us know

your interest in participating in an action committee. 

The Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation recently unveiled Livability: Fargo, ND - Moorhead, MN 2015, a print and digital program that promotes the area to newcomers, visitors and relocating businesses.

The magazine highlights the metro's quality of life, business climate, attractions, restaurants and must-do activities. Articles focus on the area's recent accolades, driven by population and job growth along with vibrant creativity and innovation; collaborations between the business community and the three FM public school districts to ensure student success; as well as the booming technology industry strengthening the local economy.  

For a free digital version of the magazine optimized for iPads, tablets and other mobile devices, visit livability.com/nd/fargo/digital-magazine .

After months of planning, a new angel fund DakotaNext with nearly $1 million in commitments is ready to launch.

The GFMEDC helped facilitate several meetings and helped conduct research to create the angel fund. Formalized in December 2014, DakotaNext was developed to invest in the growing number of attractive regional startup opportunities. Rob Lindberg was recruited as a General Partner. 

The investment fund has been organized by nine individuals, including an area venture capitalist, the former CFO of Great Plains Software, a private equity manager, a recognized entrepreneurial leader, and other area leaders. 

Lindberg and the fund leadership team are hosting a presentation and social Wednesday, January 14.   

When: Wednesday January 14, 4pm with social to follow

Where: Elevate Room of the Loretta Building (4th Floor, 210 Broadway, Fargo)

RSVP/Contact: Rob Lindberg, rl@laventurellc.com, (701) 989-5432

In a report to stakeholders, the Valley Prosperity Partnership released three reports that identify action steps to support the first three of six initiatives: workforce attraction, development and retention; water security and management for the Valley and university research capacity and relevancy.

During the report to stakeholders, the VPP leadership team outlined the process and development of the strategic plan, results of the working groups and next steps for the VPP.

Immediately following the release of VPP's report in May of 2014, three working groups came together to start putting strategy into action. The groups focused on ways the region could collectively have an impact. The groups put together recommendations that support each initiative including a legislative agenda.

Talent Attraction, Retention & Development:

The VPP will help 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.

Expanding research capacity and relevancy:

The VPP 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.

Ensuring water security and management:

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

The VPP has retained lobbyists with Vogel Law Firm and is moving forward with a legislative agenda that includes support for business and education partnership initiatives aimed at retaining youth and increasing in-migration to meet future employment needs; for increased investment in university research and growth of commercialization capacity; and funding for water projects that impact the Red River Valley.

"The priority areas we have identified impact our businesses, our employees, and our communities. We will not achieve these goals by duplicating programs or systems that already exist. We are focused on enhancing collaboration and bringing new partners together." said Tammy Miller, committee co-chair and CEO of Border States Electric.

The strategic plan identified six key areas for action:

• 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

The VPP will begin tackling the final three initiatives in May of 2015. 

A spotlight on our programs...

Here at the GFMEDC, we work many collaborative initiatives, support community efforts and manage some sizable projects of our own. Please take a look at what we have going on here. You can see the complete list in an online booklet on our website under What We Do.  

Education that Works - The GFMEDC created a program that brought together local K-12 leaders and the United Way to work on three main initiatives:  

• Teacher professional development

• Education and outreach regarding 21st century skills: 4C's  

• creativity

• critical thinking

• communication

• collaboration

• Preparing teachers to teach differently- conversations have been held with MSUM to prepare current student teachers to be prepared to teach project- based learning in their classrooms once they graduate into the workforce.

Health, Tech and Trades Expo - This expo is open to area 9th grade students early in December at the FargoDome. In 2014, there were 2,483 students that had the opportunity to visit, build, draw and operate equipment with 49 exhibitor companies that showcased 84 different careers. This expo allows companies to emphasize their job and educational opportunities while exposing students to all the careers early in high school to potentially build their curriculum around their interests.        

Website - The GFMEDC uses the website to provide information and to market to people and businesses looking to relocate to the area. Our website won the Silver Award from the International Economic Development Council. We also recently redesigned and incorporated Careerfm.com into the EDC site making it more relevant and user friendly for employers and job seekers.

1 Million Cups 

Every Wednesday 9:15

FMCT The Stage

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

E-Commerce Breakfast

January 20

7:30 a.m. - 8:30

The Boiler Room

210 Broadway
Fargo

Tickets ($10)

Startup Drinks
January 22

5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Super Studio

630 1st Ave. N.
Fargo

Sign up 

The complete annual meeting is now available to watch.

Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation