GFMEDC Smart Brief

Good morning! I apologize for the incorrect link in the previous newsletter. This link will take you to the actual Indicators!

Lisa

Fargo Moorhead MSA has an unemployment rate of 2.2% (not seasonally adjusted) compared to the U.S. unemployment rate of 4.5%. To see the GFMEDC's latest economic indicators, please check out the following link.

June Economic Indicators

President's Report: Vote yes in November for sales tax to support FM Diversion

As we move into July, we are halfway through 2016 and it just doesn't seem possible. The EDC's focus continues on our three core strategic initiatives, business, workforce and entrepreneurial development.

Our business development area, led by Mark Vaux, has had a very busy first half with more than 80 business development calls, four new local expansion projects, and he is currently working on seven new projects for our community. We also held an Engineering Industry Summit in March which has already provided local benefits.

Workforce development, which is led by Tifanie Gelinske has pushed forward the Regional Workforce Initiative, Education that Works, and Teachers in Industry. 2016 was the first year that the Teachers in Industry program expanded across North Dakota. We also had our biggest problem yet; we had too many teachers sign up for the program and not enough internship slots to accommodate them.

The Entrepreneurial area, led by John Machacek, saw the second annual Emerging Prairie's Drone Focus triple in size. We also spent time at the Kaufman Foundation in Kansas City and talked about entrepreneurial ecosystems around the country. Fargo has created a nationally recognizable brand.

The second half of 2016 looks to be filled with new and exciting opportunities for our community as well as the continuation of the programs outlined above. Another key for the last six months of 2016 will be to prepare for the 2017 legislative sessions in both Minnesota and North Dakota.

Finally and maybe the most important goal for 2016 will be to get the FM Diversion off the drawing board and into reality. To do so, there will need to be an election on November 8, 2016 in Fargo and Cass County to extend the sales tax dedicated to the Diversion. Approving the sales tax extensions will guarantee that there will be no direct special assessments and will ensure that thousands of residents will not be burdened with excessive flood insurance.

Thanks for your continued support!

Regional Workforce Initiative Announces Priority Projects To Tackle The Region's Employment Challenges

The Regional Workforce Initiative, led by five FM organizations, provided a progress report to investors and stakeholders on Thursday, June 30 at the Courtyard by Marriott. Over the past year, more than 170 volunteers have been building on ideas set forth within the 100-page report.

The initiative addresses a growing workforce gap between available positions and qualified workers to enhance the region's

economic competitiveness.

Some of the goals announced during the presentation focused on consistent messaging and branding; a central clearing house to learn more about moving to Fargo Moorhead, finding employment and opportunities for things to do; removing barriers to home ownership and increasing available childcare.

Six-months of research, surveys, focus groups and in-person interviews by TIP Strategies, a consulting firm based in Austin, Texas, have culminated in the 100-page report that details the environment surrounding regional workforce and the challenges and opportunities we face recruiting, retaining and developing our workforce.

Within the next three to five years, the five lead organizations will drive the implementation of the four strategies and evaluate progress strengthening our workforce system to continue to support business growth.

The Regional Workforce Partnership & Collaboration involves the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation, the Chamber, the Fargo Moorhead Area Foundation, United Way of Cass-Clay and the Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Many local companies have pledged their support as sponsors of the partnership and its efforts:

Sanford Health
Minnesota State University Moorhead
City of West Fargo
Meinecke-Johnson Company
Forum Communications Company
Border States Electric
Essentia Health
Eide Bailly
American Crystal Sugar
North Dakota State University
Industrial Builders, Inc.
Trail King Industries, Inc.
Moorhead Economic Development Authority
North Dakota State College of Science
O'Day Equipment, LLC
Dakota Medical Foundation

Tri-College Unity Council aims to connect students, create opportunities to stay here after graduation

A new EDC-driven initiative aims to connect higher-ed students with each other and the community to keep them here post-graduation. A new Tri-College Unity Council (TCUC) will do that through events, initiatives and by establishing a presence at each of the five schools and in the business community.

The concept of the TCUC is an extension of the Regional Workforce Study (2015) conducted by the Regional Workforce Partnership. Under the "Cultivate" priority in the Regional Strategy, the directive is to "Strengthen the pipeline of local talent to support employers in the region." Fargo-Moorhead is teeming with potential with a student population of nearly 30,000. TCUC will establish events and initiatives that coincide with the goals of the Regional Workforce Study.

In addition to the Regional Workforce Study, TCUC is also supported by the EDC's strategic plan.

Local entrepreneurs highlight their journey during recent EDC board meeting

GFMEDC board members heard from five local entrepreneurs during a recent board meeting.

Jeff Vanlaningham highlighted RealTruck's significant company growth and the expansion of their Fargo location.

PRX Performance's Brian Brasch discussed the progress and growth of their startup and some lessons learned. Brian talked about PRX's experience with the television show Shark Tank and his community work of facilitating the first three cohorts of the local entrepreneurial development program Co.Starters.

Neil Blanchard of Profit Pros talked about the tool he developed to help his consulting firm evaluate and solve financial weak spots for clients. With the help of a local technology company, Profit Pros further built out this web-based tool and is beginning to garner nation-wide interest.

Jake Clark of 3Dom Fuel talked about co-founding a 3D printing filament manufacturing company 3Dom USA. The company recently merged with 3Dom Europe and 3D-Fuel to form the new entity 3Dom Fuel. The Fargo location of 3Dom Fuel plans to expand their space adding more manufacturing lines to keep up with customer demand.

Beginning in 2012, GFMEDC boosted its efforts to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This meeting helped board members better understand the results of these efforts.

EDC shares your jobs on social media

Are you posting your jobs on our job board? Did you know we tweet one to two jobs a day on Twitter? We also have a weekly Smart Move Monday tweet that features four jobs. Make sure to take advantage and post your qualifying jobs!

GFMEDC Annual Report

Our annual report is now available. Please request hard copies or check it out online.

Fargo Moorhead Magazine - request your copies today!

Stories highlight Fargo Moorhead's quality of life, business climate, attractions, restaurants and must-do activities. Articles focus on how Fargo Moorhead residents enjoy the proximity to the lakes country; the cultural and economic impact of the region's colleges and universities as well as the area's growing business sectors and the local initiative to recruit, retain and develop the talent to support them.

Other articles highlight the quality-of-place amenities that attract people to the Fargo Moorhead region including high-quality

public and private schools, top-rated health-care facilities and a robust business climate.

For a free digital version of the magazine optimized for iPads, tablets and other mobile devices, visit

http://www.livability.com/nd/fargo/digital-magazine.

A spotlight on our strategic plan...

Here at the GFMEDC, we recently took a little time to review challenges and opportunities within the regional economic landscape. We developed a five-year strategic plan that provides a framework for five new priorities. You can see the complete plan on our website under What We Do.

GFMEDC Strategic Plan

Priority 1: Facilitate the Attraction of Talent to the Region

Priority 2: Encourage the Expansion and Increase the Awareness of Technical Training, Higher Education, STEM Education and Associated Career Opportunities

Priority 3: Advance an Advocacy Agenda and Communicate Economic Impact

Priority 4: Leverage Existing and Emerging Regional Industry Base and NDSU Research and

Technology Park resources for Business Retention, Expansion and Start-up

Priority 5:

Continue the Development of the Region's Entrepreneurial Eco-System

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.