february 2014 newsletter
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Official Publication of Grand Forks - East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce
THEFebruary 2014
Official Publication of The Chamber - GF/EGF
PO Box 315 East Grand Forks, MN 56721
(701)772-7271 (701)772-9238 Fax [email protected] www.gochamber.org
202 N. 3rd Street Grand Forks, ND 58203
Grand Forks Mayor’s 12th Annual
State of the City Address & Luncheon
$20/person open seating or $160/reserved table of eight
Reservations are required. For reservations, contact The Chamber at 772-7271, [email protected] or online at www.gochamber.org.
Reservation deadline is February 20th, 2014.
Reservations not cancelled 3 business days prior to event will be billed.
Corporate Sponsors
Business SponsorsAmerican Federal Bank ~ Boardwalk Bar & Grill
Hospice of the Red River Valley ~ KLJ
Wednesday, February 26 2014 Alerus Center11:00am ~ Coffee with Mayor Brown 11:30am - 1:00pm ~ Lunch and Program
INVEST Now is the time. Grand Forks is the place. 11am - Coffee With Mayor Brown
Join us before lunch and enjoy a cup of coffee as you network with Mayor Brown and Chamber Leadership.
Our special coffee shop meet & greet will serve several options of gourmet and flavored coffees.
Presented by
City, County, School Dis-trict, NCTC and Busi-ness leaders met last month to talk about
opportunities and challenges facing East Grand Forks and Polk County.
At the top of the list is how can we better educate Minne-sota leaders in St. Paul about the unique needs in NW MN. Each additional tax (higher gas tax is now being pro-posed) and fee make it more and more difficult to do busi-ness in MN versus our neigh-bor across the river. We have made trips to St. Paul and testified and provided consid-erable input but our region continues to feel somewhat ignored.
It was agreed we would try as a community and even as a region to invite a MN leg-islative committee or two to our regions so we can help educate them on our unique needs.
Another issue is how to con-vince the state which shares revenue at the State Recre-ation area with the city to participate in adding addi-tional camp site. EGF would like to add 20 or more camp sites to the state recreation area which is at capacity most of the summer. This would have an obvious posi-tive economic impact on the
Staff
Barry Wilfahrt President/CEO
Lisa Swanson Vice President of Operations
Kimberly Strom Program/Event Director
Carla Younce Finance Director
[email protected] Emberly Lietz
Membership Director [email protected]
Connie Klefstad Administrative Assistant
Audrey Lind Project Assistant
OfficersChair: Chris Wolf Alerus Financial
Chair-Elect: Kristi Magnuson Nelson Hugo’s/Hugo’s Wine & Spirits
Past Chair: Jeff Wilson Vilandre Heating, Air Conditioning &
Plumbing Secretary: Ron Galstad
Galstad, Jensen, McCann PA John Oncken - True North Equipment
Craig Amiot - 5 Star Collision Barry Wilfahrt
The Chamber - GF/EGF
Directors Dan Dahl - Dahl Funeral Home Pete Haga - City of Grand Forks
Bonnie Haley - Bon Voyage Travel Brady Hansen- Verizon Wireless, BeMobile, Inc.
Jason Heintz - Scheels Kenny Holweger - Kenny’s Music
Phyllis Johnson- UND Curt Kreun - GF City Council
Pat McLean - Clear Channel Comm. Bob Moore - River Cinema
Dennis Riesenour - Altru Health System Brian Rydell - Rydell Auto Center Cheryl Swanson- Alerus Center
Klaus Thiessen - GF Regional EDC
Matt Walkowiak - Ground Round
Sr. Military Advisor to the Board
Colonel Paul E. Bauman - GFAFB
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Chamber News
community. Yet the State of MN has not been receptive to this proposal despite our rec-reation area being one of the most profitable for the state of MN in the whole state.
The City outlined the pre-liminary results from their recent strategic planning session noting infrastructure investment, economic de-velopment, UAS opportuni-ties, NCTC opportunities and housing are all priorities for the City of EGF.
NCTC also talked about is funding challenges and steps they are taking to keep in tune with what local employ-ers needs are.
Senator LeRoy Stump joined the group by phone to talk about the bonding bill (He is Senate Chairman) and the fact that the state rec area project did not make the list submitted by the DNR. He also talked about the aviation maintenance hanger proj-ect that is on the list in EGF. Representative Keil attended the entire session and talk about business climate and budget issues and the need for greater MN to have a stronger voice.
The meeting was by far the most interactive and pro-ductive in years with many action steps and follow-up items after the meeting.
East Grand Forks Leaders Meet
The Chamber, Economic De-velopment Corporation and the City of Grand Forks plan to co host a mixer following each of the three planned interim legislative committees that will be held in Grand Forks over the next six months.
Members of the City Coun-cil, Chamber and EDC Boards along with specific topic ex-perts will be invited to repre-sent the community at these gathering to help legislators from throughout the state. The first such meeting will be
February 3rd when the ND leg-islature’s Interim Watertown Topics Committee meeting in Grand Forks.
This education process is a key part of the “Team Grand Forks” legislative strategy as we prepare for the 2015 legis-lative session.
In 2013 we had unprecedent-ed success as a community with the new medical school, law school, several tax reduc-tions and Base retention and Grand Sky tech park funding.
Chamber Steps Up Role in Leading Legislative Committee Hostings
Chamber News
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Welcomes Disney Institute to Grand Forks
Disney Institute gives you the unique opportunity to discover “the business behind the magic” - proven business strategies from one of the world’s most admired
companies and the leader in creativity and innovation.
To Attend:
Chamber Members: $349/person $329/person
(For 3+ attendees)
Non Members: $379/person $349/person
(For 3+ attendees)
Contact The Chamber-GF/EGF: [email protected] or 701.772.7271.
Sponsors:
Communicate a compelling vision Select and hire right-fit employees Develop a service philosophy Retain customers for life
Create a collaborative culture
Tuesday, April 22nd, 20148am - 4pm
Lunch and Snacks Provided Alerus Center
1200 S. 42nd St. Grand Forks, ND
Are you ready to bring clarity to your business? To begin a new era of focused leadership that will inspire excellence throughout your organization? Then you’re ready to D’Think.
Spend a day with Disney Institute’s Keys to Business Excellence
Leadership Quality Service
Management Brand Loyalty
Discover how effective leadership is a powerful catalyst to drive em-ployee/customer satisfaction and bottom-line results
Understand the importance of inte-grating your corporate culture into selection, training and care of em-ployees.
Explore world-renowned Disney prin-ciples for service excellence that are easily adaptable to your organiza-tion.
Learn proven practices and prin-ciples to effectively build and sus-tain loyalty with your customers and employees
Include: Business Name, billing address, # of attendees, names of attendees & email address for each attendee.
Registrations not cancelled 5 business days prior to seminar will be billed. ©Disney
Chamber News
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A & L Siding & Home Improvement CenterAatrix Software, Inc.Advance Electric, Inc.
Advanced Engineering & Environmental Ser-vices
AFLAC - Judy IngvalsonAll About Kids, Inc.
Altru Health System - HospitalAmerica’s Best Value Inn
Anchor MarketingAnderson Brothers Auto Body Shop
Arty’s Auto, Inc.Bank Forward - REA Drive
Behl’s PhotographyBNSF Railway CompanyBorder States Electric
Braaten CabinetsBrian’s Flooring
Camrud, Maddock, Olson & Larson, Ltd.Canad Inns
Century Properties, Inc.CenturyLink
CF Industries Enterprises, Inc.Choice Health & Fitness
Citizens Community Credit UnionColdwell Banker - Forks Real EstateCustom Aire Mechanical Contracting
Dahl Funeral HomeDakota Boys and Girls Ranch
Dakota Commercial & Development, Inc. - Jerry Youngberg
Dakota Metal Fabrication, Inc.Dakota Sales/Budweiser
Days InnDeitz Companies
Edward Jones - Mark LarsenEnbridge Pipeline
Fert-L-LawnForx Rentall & Mini Stor-All
Gaffaney’sGate City Bank - 24th Ave. S.
Membership RenewalsThe following businesses know the value of their Chamber Membership and have renewed their membership in The Chamber - GF/EGF. Please visit them for your purchasing needs.
Gate City Bank - DeMers Ave.Gate City Bank - S. Washington
Gerrells Sports Center/Hockey WorldGF County Agencies
Girl Scouts - Dakota HorizonsGlobal Safety Network
GoodInsurance - Bonnie BaglienGrand Forks American Legion Post #6
Grand Forks HeraldGrand Forks Public LibraryGrand Forks Public Schools
Grand Valley Animal HospitalGreat Plains Financial Group
Greenberg Realty - Rita SchusterGreenberg Roofing & Sheet Metal
Greg GerloffH & R Block (32nd Ave. S.)H & R Block (DeMers Ave.)
H & R Block (EGF)Hardware Hank
Healing Arts Institute, LLCHouse of Vacuums
Hugo’s Retail Support CenterHugo’s Wine & Spirits (EGF)
In-Prints Screen Printing, Inc.Jack Cronquist
Kapstone Container CorporationKnight PrintingKnight’s Inn
Kuhl PropertiesL & M Meats & Sausage
Lunseth Plumbing & HeatingMain Resource Equipment Auctions & Land Sales
Midcontinent CommunicationsMidwest Coca-Cola of Grand ForksMinnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.Mutch Oil Co. of Grand Forks, Inc.
NDSU Distance & Continuing EducationNodak Electric
Northeastern Dakota Area H.R. Assn.Northern Plumbing Supply
Membership RenewalsThe following businesses know the value of their Chamber Membership and have renewed their membership in The Chamber - GF/EGF. Please visit them for your purchasing needs.
Chamber News
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Northland Community & Technical CollegeOur Saviors Lutheran Church
Park UniversityParty City
Perkins Restaurant (Columbia Road)Peterson Construction Company, Inc.
Premier Signs, LLPPro Dog Security, LLC
Prudential Crary Real EstateRamada InnRBB Electric
Red River AutoRhino Contracting, Inc.
Roadking InnRydell Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac
Sacred Heart Catholic SchoolsShawn Horn
Sigma Defense SystemsSimplexGrinnell, LP
Ski & Bike ShopStennes Granite Company
Strata CorporationSuper 8 MotelSuper Target
Swingen Construction CompanyTaco John’s
The ExponentThe UPS Store
Thompson/Schaefer InsuranceTire One Auto CenterTrainND Northeast
U.S. BankUnited Valley Bank (Downtown)
United Way of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Area
US Foods - GFG DivisionWaterfront Kitchen & Bath
Wild Hog Smokehouse Bar & Grill
Welcome New Members!Grand Forks Montessori AcademyCarey Leichter1420 24th Ave S.Grand Forks, ND 58201(o) 701-757-2224info@gfmontessori.comwww.GrandForksMontessori.comGrand Forks Montessori Acad-emy is a private Montessori school with Suzuki-based music, art, and language pro-grams enhancing our curricu-lum. Serving children 2.5-12 years. Tours are available.
RRVRewardsJake KvasagerPO Box 13828Grand Forks, ND 58208
(o) 218-779-8471(f) [email protected] is a full service Loyalty Marketing business that makes Mobile Marketing easy and affordable for businesses of all sizes! We’ll help you build your own unique customer list and market to them in the most effective ways possible.
Organo Gold- Nicole DvorakNicole Dvorak Grand Forks, ND 58201(o) 218-230-8022dvorakcoffee@gmail.comwww.dvorak.myorganogold.comCome find out what all of the buzz is on the coffee that pays.
I provide a variety of gourmet coffees, teas, and hot choco-late. Contact me to find out more.
Rodan + Fields Dermatolo-gists - Michaela SchellMichaela SchellEmerado, ND 58228(o) 701-290-9605michaelamschell@gmail.comwww.michaelaschell.myrandf.comAs an Independent Consultant, Michaela helps others achieve healthy, beautiful skin by ad-dressing concerns of aging, sun damage, acne, and sensitivity, as well as leads and mentors
Cont. on pg. 6
Chamber News
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business partners as they create their own successful Rodan + Fields businesses.
True North Resource CenterJohn Oncken4325 18th Ave S. Grand Forks, ND [email protected] North Resource Center is designed for local customer and employee training and distance training from John Deere ex-perts worldwide. The facility also houses support staff and man-
Proudly Serving: Devils Lake • 3 Locations in Grand Forks Northwood • Bisbee • Lakota • Larimore • Ft. Totten • St. John North Dakota’s Loan Resource
Focusing On Your Profits. Not Ours.
www.citizens-cu.com
NMLS#810388SBA Approved Lender
Citizens Community Credit Union has all the financial services your business needs.• no loan is Too Big or Too Small• great loan rates• Checking & Savings Accounts• Credit/debit Card Processing• direct deposit/ACH origination• SeP irAs• Health Savings Accounts• Free online Account Access• Free e-statements
Brad BulgerRegional Director of Business [email protected]
3351 32nd Ave S • Grand Forks, ND701.772.9960
agement for True North Equip-ment’s regional locations.
SearsRyan Youngquist2800 South Columbia RoadGrand Forks, ND 58201(o) [email protected] is dedicated to providing a WOW experience to its mem-bers across home appliances, consumer electronics, tools, fitness and apparel all while embracing the power of Shop Your Way Rewards.
After5 Entertainment Newspa-perMike PetersonGrand Forks, ND 58201(o) [email protected] Entertainment News-paper of the Upper Red River Valley covers a variety of local events and entertainment via it’s printed publication and “Grand Cities!” smartphone app free of charge.
Welcome New Members! (Cont.)
Chamber News
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The 2014 recipient of the business community’s most prestigious recognition, The Henry Havig Award for Community Service, was announced last month at The Chamber’s 9th Annual Meeting & Dinner.
Henry Tweten was selected as the 38th recipient of the Chamber’s recognition. Past Henry Havig Award recipient Bob Boyd and Chamber President/CEO Barry Wilfahrt, presented the award before a
Chamber crowd of 450 people at the Alerus Center.
Henry served his country in World War II in General Patton’s Third Army, 80th Infantry
Division. Henry was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries received in battle and the Silver Star Medal for Gallantry for his courage shown in war. In 1946, Henry enrolled in law school at UND. He started his law practice in 1951 where he practiced law for more than 60 years.
During his career, he became involved in politics and rose through the ranks to become the chairman of the DFL party in the 28-county Seventh Congressional District. He has served on the East Grand Forks City Council for 18 years and is currently the oldest alderman. In addition, he has been a strong supporter of the East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce prior to the merger of the two chambers, and a strong and passionate advocate for both cities.
Henry was also president of the Minnesota State Board of Education and was critically instrumental in the establishment of the Northland Community and Technical College in East Grand Forks.
Currently retired, Henry enjoys spending time at his son’s business, TNT Outfitters. During his spare time, he has been a member of the East Grand Forks Boosters; Our Saviors Lutheran Church; East Grand Forks Blue Line Club; and the Home Run Club.
Henry and his late wife, Ramona, have four children, Jeffrey, Lynda, Debra and her husband Jeff, and Timothy and his wife Coleen. Henry resides in East Grand Forks.
The Henry Havig Award for Community Service was first presented in 1977 in memory of longtime businessman and community advocate Henry Havig. It has since been selected by past recipients via nominations from the community.
Henry Tweten 38th Recipient of Henry Havig Award
Remember Prairie Harvest Mental Health!
Contributions of $10 or more will be matched by Dakota Medical Foundation up to $4,000. To support Prairie Harvest Mental Health and have your donation matched, simply go to impactgiveback.org on February 13.
Chamber News
Seating is limited. Sign up by February 18 2014.
Reservations can be made at 772-7271 or email [email protected] with the names
of those attending.
Reservations not cancelled 3 business days prior to event will be billed.
Wednesday, February 19 2014 11:30am - 1:00pm
The Chamber - GF/EGF$20/Person (lunch provided)
$30/Non-Member (lunch provided)
Presented by: Galen Cariveau Cariveau Workforce ServicesGalen has 35+ years of experience providing workplace training to supervisors, managers and coaches in the region.
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Employees are the most important assets in any organization, playing a major role in its success or failure. A quality feedback system can help employees un-derstand their strengths and builds their self-confidence. Such a system also in-creases productivity, quality, enthusiasm, and job satisfaction among employees. Effective employee feedback also leads to improved retention of employees.
This brown bag lunch will provide instruction and discussion opportunities for supervisors, coaches, team leaders, and human resource professionals, related to the best practices on how to provide effective feedback to their employees.
During the 90 minute session you will explore four key areas:
1. Benefits of employee feedback.2. The concepts of FAST and Balanced Feedback.
3. Best practices related to Positive Feedback.4. Best Practices related to Constructive Feedback.
Effective Employee Feedback
True North Business After Hours
Chamber Annual Dinner
Chamber Annual Dinner
Ambassador’s December Meeting
Chamber Annual Dinner
Chamber Annual Dinner
True North Business After Hours
Chamber Annual Dinner
True North Business After Hours
Chamber Annual Dinner
Chamber Annual Dinner
Ambassador December Meeting
Business Briefs
AE2S Recognized With Workplace Honor AE2S (Advanced Engineer-ing and Environmental Services, Inc.) has been recognized by the North Dakota Young Professionals Network (NDYP) as one of the best places to work in the state.Each year, the NDYP hon-ors businesses that provide high quality jobs, as well as a work environment which supports young profession-als and ongoing economic, workforce, and community development initiatives. A statewide committee of NDYP members serves as judges.“We are honored that the NDYP has identified AE2S as a top place to work,” said Megan Houser, AE2S Hu-man Resources Manager.
“AE2S provides compre-hensive salary and benefits packages, flex-time hours, and advancement opportu-nities by supporting young professionals in building their leadership skills.”Matthew Madson, Engineer-in-Training, graduated from the University of Minnesota and joined AE2S in June. “As someone who’s just getting started in the field, my new position at AE2S is providing me with great op-portunities to work on criti-cal wastewater infrastruc-ture,” Madson said. “AE2S is a wonderful place for me to contribute and grow as a professional.”“AE2S strongly believes in providing an excellent work environment for our em-ployees. This recognition from the NDYP is acknowl-edgment that we have been
Cont. on page 12
Sometimes projects need a boost when trying to cross over from concept to reality. AE2S Nexus helps bridge that gap. We focus on creating solid plans, aggressively pursuing funding options, and assisting you with implementation to make sure your project is on solid ground.
The Financial Link
bridging the financing gap
• Utility Rate Analysis• Funding/Financing• Project Development and Administration• Economic Development• Asset Management
SerViceS
www.AE2SNexus.comA Division of AE2S (Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc.)
successful in our endeav-ors,” said Houser. “Our firm’s success is thanks in no small part to the dedica-tion of our employees.”
Choice Financial Honored Choice Financial was recent-ly recognized as 2013 Best Place to Work Runner-Up by the North Dakota Young Professionals (NDYP). NDYP recognizes businesses that provide high quality jobs and a work environment enticing to and in support of young professionals. “We are very proud to present Choice Financial
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ed to be the recipient of this award and we thank the Association for recognizing the Red River High School Performance Hall project with this distinctive honor,” Wayne said.Completed in 2013, the new $9.4 million, 33,000 SF per-forming arts facility includes a 700-seat auditorium with back-of-house support spac-es, classical events lobby, orchestra rehearsal room, 12 practice studios, instru-ment storage area, make-up and dressing rooms, a digital music composition lab, and an independent stage lift for performances and set erection. The design of the addition integrates high-performance HVAC, AV technology, theater rigging, lighting, and acoustics to create a 21st century the-ater experience.Precast concrete wall panels from Wells Concrete com-prise the shell structure of the theater and fly tower with respective elevations of 44 feet and 67 feet above the main slab on grade floor elevations. A total of 2,163 cubic yards of concrete were delivered by Strata Corporation to the project site. The completed struc-ture integrates nine differ-ent elevations of functional usage, including basement, orchestra pit, stage, fly tower, CIP concrete parterre seating, CIP concrete raised parterre seating, control level and catwalks, techni-cal level and catwalks, and main floor concrete slab on grade.
Edgewood Manage-ment Group Announc-es Regional VP Edgewood Management Group, LLC (Edgewood) has named Char Schmidt, RN, BSN Regional Vice President for Region III. In her new role, Schmidt will oversee Edgewood’s senior living
and commercial real estate clients in the Grand Forks area.Prior to joining Bremer, Dagoberg was an assistant vice president and branch manager at the Bank of Cascades in Boise, Idaho. He has a finance degree from the University of North Dakota. “Scott is a Grand Forks area native and started his ca-reer in our community,” said Chris Johnson, vice presi-dent in business banking at Bremer Bank Grand Forks. “He was looking for an op-portunity to move back to the Midwest and we are so glad to have him join our team at Bremer. He has outstanding banking and leadership skills that will be a perfect fit for our com-mercial banking team.”
EAPC Receives Award EAPC Architects Engineers was presented with a 2013 Gold Star Project Award from North Dakota Ready Mix & Concrete Products As-sociation during their 48th annual awards banquet in
Fargo. EAPC, with Asso-ciate Archi-tect Per-
kins & Will, received the award for their architectural and structural engineer-ing services for use of con-crete for the Red River High School Performance Hall Addition project in Grand Forks. Awards are given each year by the Associa-tion in various categories for those projects who find effective uses for concrete in building projects in North Dakota. Wayne Dietrich, EAPC Principal Architect and Managing Architect for the project, and Samuel Wilke, Structural Engineer on the project, were in attendance to accept the award. “We are very pleased and excit-
with the Best Place to Work Runner-Up award and to recognize their dedication to young professionals. They have developed a culture of excellence both in and out of the office that encom-passes the ‘attract, retain, and engage movement’ NDYP is built on. There was an overwhelming number of outstanding applicants this year which made a tough decision for the judges. The diversity and quality of nominees from across the state signifies that busi-nesses in North Dakota understand the importance of attracting, retaining and engaging young profession-als.” says Laurie Morse-Dell, NDYP Coordinator. When asked what makes Choice Financial a great place to work, young pro-fessional Samantha Berg, Director of Frontline Opera-tions commented, “Choice Financial is a company that holds value in the power of people. Each person comes to work with their own stories, experiences and talents. Choice empowers each employee to embrace their differences, work hard and do the right thing.”In addition to this award, Choice Financial was the 2011 Best Place to Work recipient by The Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals Network; and a two-time finalist for Best Place to Work by The Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber Young Profession-als Network.
Bremer Bank Hires Dagoberg Bremer Bank announces the hire of Scott Dagoberg
as a business banker in Grand Forks. Dago-berg has nearly eight years of business bank-ing experience and will work with commercial
Business Briefs
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Business Briefs
communities in Bismarck and Mandan, N.D. Prior to this, Schmidt served as Ex-ecutive Director of Edgewood Bismarck – Village and as Senior Executive Director of the EMG Mandan/Bismarck communities.
“Char has a long history of pro-viding excellent services to the seniors of North Dakota. Her knowledge and experience in long-term care industry will en-sure that Edgewood continues to provide the highest-quality services, care and accommo-dations for our residents and families,” says Russell Kubik,
Chief Operations Officer of Edgewood. Schmidt has over 25 years of experience in long term care. She received her BSN from the University of North Dakota and makes her home in Bismarck, N.D.
Choice Financial Contributes to Housing Incentive Fund Choice Financial recently contributed near-ly $194,000 to the North Dakota Housing Incentive Fund (HIF), with funds support-ing projects that will provide affordable housing in Grafton, Fargo, and Dickinson. “Choice Financial is proud to contribute to the Housing Incentive Fund to fulfill a need for affordable and sustainable hous-ing throughout North Dakota,” said Brian L. Johnson, Choice Financial CEO. “This con-tribution provides our North Dakota com-munities with a chance to grow by provid-ing affordable housing that is suitable to their individual needs.”Capitalized by contributions from state taxpayers, HIF offers low-cost financing to developers of affordable rental housing when they set aside units for essential ser-vice workers and low- to moderate-income households. The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) administers the program.The bank’s contributions were divided be-tween Prairieview Apartments in Grafton, a family-friendly workforce housing devel-opment; North Sky Apartments, a Fargo project designed for adults age 55 and over; and Sullivan Apartments, a complex in Dickinson that has reserved units for people supported by ABLE, Inc.“This Dickinson apartment complex repre-sents an amazing step in the right direc-tion for affordable housing for people with intellectual disabilities within our communi-ties,” said Mary Anderson, executive direc-tor of ABLE, Inc. “We sincerely appreciate the financial support provided by Choice
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Financial through its Housing Incentive Fund contribution.”
Marco CEO Named Award Finalist Marco, Inc. announced that Jeff Gau,
CEO, was named a finalist in the 2014 Community Impact Awards Good Leader category by Minnesota Business Maga-zine. This award recognizes business people whose excel-lence in character and leader-ship has made a positive im-pact on the communities they
serve. Since becoming CEO in 2005, Gau has led Marco through aggressive growth to become one of the top five companies of its kind in the nation. The company con-sistently donates at least 5 percent of its annual profits to the communities they serve. The Community Impact Awards will be presented on February 27, 2014 at Aria in Minneapolis.
Network Center, Inc. Announces New Hire and Certificates Technology solution provider NetWork Cen-ter, Inc. announces the addition of John
Keller as a Network Systems Analyst. Keller graduated from Bismarck State College with two AAS degrees, one in Nu-clear Power Technology and the second in Computer Support. Keller brings two years of pro-fessional experience to Net-Work Center, Inc.
Bruce Donarski achieved Veeam Technical Sales Professional (VMTSP) and vSphere with Operations Management certifications.Brad Piekutowski achieved IBM System X Family Tech Support V1 certification.Jeff Bolstad achieved IBM System X Fam-ily Tech Support V1 certification.Tim Tegtmeier achieved Implementing Cisco Video Network Device certification.Jon Johnson achieved Advanced Collabo-ration Arch. Sys. certification.Mike Pagan achieved VMware Certified Advanced Professional 5 Data Center certi-fication.Gerald Urlaub achieved Cisco Advanced Collaboration Architecture Sales Specialist certification.
Cont. on page 14
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Gerloff Named to Board of Directors Greg Gerloff has been named to the UND Arena Services, Inc. Board of Directors, the board that oversees Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Gerloff is a recognized and respected community and pro-fessional leader with a strong record of community involve-ment. Gerloff retired from his role as CEO of Altru Health Sys-tems in 2008 after serving 37 years in the healthcare indus-try in Grand Forks. During his tenure, Altru Health Systems
received numerous awards and recogni-tions from local, state and national organi-zations.
After retiring from Altru Health Systems, Gerloff was asked to serve on two ma-jor committees for the Shriner’s National Board of Governors and his leadership aided in the improvement of the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital system. Gerloff is the recipient of the Henry Havig award which is the highest honor the Grand Forks/East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce awards on an annual basis. Gerloff is replacing John Cook, an original UAS Board Member who retired in Decem-ber 2013.
Grand Forks Herald & Grand Forks Region EDC invite all Chamber Members and their employees to join them for a fun Business After Hours. Stop in...enjoy a fun
evening of networking opportunities. You might even win $1200 in our progressive cash drawing. We’ll draw the name of one Chamber Member business. If someone
from that organization is present, they win!
Business After Hours is a great time to network, catch up with friends, coworkers and clients in a fun and casual way. Spread the word and plan to attend the next Business After Hours.
• Free Admission• Complimentary hors d’oeuvres & beverages
• Great door prizes• Progressive cash drawing is at $1200!
Hosted by
Grand Forks Herald & Grand Forks Region EDC
Thursday, February 20, 2014
4:45pm - 7:00pm
Downtown Grand Forks
StopoutandmeetthenewHeraldpublisher,KorrieWenzelandseetheEDC’snewofficesnow located in the Herald Building!