GFMEDC Smart Brief

Fargo Moorhead MSA has an unemployment rate of 2.7% (not seasonally adjusted) compared to the U.S. unemployment rate of 5.1%. To see the GFMEDC's latest economic indicators, please check out the following link.

July Economic Indicators

President's Report: EDC works on creating a vibrant regional economy through a robust set of programs and initiatives

Every day the EDC team focuses on three key components of economic development: business, workforce and entrepreneurial development. We do this in so many ways and with so many partners, we sometimes forget the breadth and depth of our programs and initiatives.

I would ask you to take several minutes to go to the EDC website at www.GFMEDC.com and click http://gfmedc.com/about/what-we-do/ (scroll down a bit) and review our Projects and Initiatives brochure. The EDC"s mission is to be a key catalyst for our region's business growth and prosperity by taking the lead in bringing people together with a shared vision for a vibrant regional economy.

Quietly, the EDC has been that catalyst for our region's economic strategy including our workforce study and initiative, our region's entrepreneurial growth and creating partnerships between education and industry on all levels.

We work diligently to advance existing business growth and development within our regional primary-sector companies.

The EDC has helped create the energy and pathways for entrepreneurial entities like Emerging Prairie and Folkways to better facilitate our robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Our workforce initiatives have helped to provide a foundation for continued outreach in the workforce areas like Educators in Industry, Education that Works, Technology Job Shadowing, Partners in the Classroom, Manufacturing Day Tours, FM Tech Connect and our FM Ambassador program.

The Greater Fargo Moorhead region is an unexpectedly extraordinary place to live, learn, work and play, and the EDC plays a part in every aspect of those four components. Quality of life is a key ingredient when a business decides where to locate or expand. The learning component is so important. From the K-12 to higher education, education is one of the top five most important factors when a business or an individual decides where to locate. The work component is composed of the environments we all spend most of our days in and is a significant point in location decisions. The final play component is also a major deciding factor in determining a career location and path.

We will continue to focus on supporting the initiatives we believe lead to job and wealth creation as well as an improved quality of life for our region.

EDC awarded IT Champion of North Dakota by IT Council of North Dakota

We are proud to be honored with the 2016 IT Champion of the year award. The EDC has been recognized for our role in the growth of the IT industry in the Fargo Moorhead area as well as the state.

"North Dakota's strong economy and rapid growth has created many opportunities for entrepreneurs, and GFMEDC has recognized the need to make entrepreneurs aware of the opportunities awaiting them in the state," said Jeremy Neuharth, ITCND president. "GFMEDC has drawn national attention to the region and engaged thousands of new people in a thriving entrepreneurial community. This corporation is a very deserving recipient of the North Dakota IT Champion award."

Check out our video!

Economic Development Projects

The proof is in the numbers, and we've got those! We continue working to recruit new companies to the area while meeting with as many local companies as we can to connect them to the resources they need to succeed.

Business Retention/Expansion Meetings YTD

Meetings: 89
Company Assists: 83

Successes:

4 Manufacturing-$1.6 Million Capital Investment-Unknown Jobs
2 Distribution-$10 Million Capital Investment-65 Estimated Jobs
1 Value-added Ag-$3.75 Million-10 Estimated Jobs

New/Out of State Economic Development Projects

Open Leads: 40
Capital Investment: $153 Million
Job Creation: 34

Business Retention/Expansion Projects (Existing Companies)

Open Leads: 51
Capital Investment: $27.7 Million
Job Creation: 273

EDC is proud to be the prime sponsor of Fargo Startup House

EDC is proud to be the prime sponsor of Fargo Startup House, the region's only startup house.

Opened in 2014 by Miguel Danielson, Fargo Startup House provides participants with free room and board with high speed internet. The participants also get access to recognized mentors and other support services.

Entrepreneurs apply to be a part of the Fargo Startup House. Currently, three entrepreneurs live in the house.

Check out this story on Fargo Startup House in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Manufacturing Day - Host Companies Needed

The EDC invites your support of our upcoming Manufacturing Day

Tour event for area high school students. Based on feedback, this event has helped change students' perception of manufacturing. Local manufacturers also make valuable connections with area students preparing to enter the workforce. The GFMEDC and local schools are collaborating to present Manufacturing Day on October 7th. We invite you to get involved.

Opportunities include:

Host students at your facility

Showcase your work or provide a virtual tour during a lunch on October 7th

Host a community event for area citizens including a tour to check out your facility

Last year we accommodated nearly 200 students. We hope to have companies committed by September 1st.

EDC staff heads to a lot of places to push ideas along, support efforts and connect people who may not otherwise connect. While one of those may not be newsletter worthy by itself, together they make an impact. So, here is a little bit about some of the meetings, presentations and gatherings to support, push and engage in efforts that contribute to a healthy, vibrant economy and a wonderful place to live.

Meetings

Moorhead Business Association

Economic Development of North Dakota Board

Casselton Jobs Development Authority

West Central Initiative quarterly economic development meeting

MetroCog freight study RFP interview

ND STEM Network Board Retreat

Luncheon with area teachers to discuss skills employers look for

Presentation to FM PM Rotary

Arts Partnership to provide marketing feedback and support

Organized Tech.Co's Startup of the Year applications

Sponsorships:

TEDxFargo
Fargo Game Maker's 48 Hour Game Jam event

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.