december 2013 newsletter
DESCRIPTION
The Voice, the official publication of The Chamber of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.TRANSCRIPT
Official Publication of Grand Forks - East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce
THEDecember 2013
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
2013 Chamber Annual Meeting and DinnerThursday, January 16 2014 Alerus Center
5:30pm ~ Social & Silent Auction 6:30pm ~ Dinner & Program
Reservations: $50/person ~or~ $360/table of eight
Menu: Spring Mix Leaf Salad
New York Strip Champignon Herb Roasted Baby Red Potatoes
Honey Glazed Baby Carrots Raspberry Chocolate Mousse
Reservations are required. For reservations, contact The Chamber at
772-7271, [email protected]
or online at www.gochamber.org.
Reservation deadline is January 10th, 2014
Watch our FB page for silent auction item updates: www.facebook.com/thechambergfegf
Reservations not cancelled 3 business days prior to event will be billed.
Mike JacobsAs our keynote speaker,
Mike Jacobs will bring his wit and vision to the annual meeting. As publisher of The
Grand Forks Herald, Mike understands our region’s
past and has a well ground-ed perspective of where are today and our opportunities for the future. Mike will soon be retiring from The Herald so make sure to attend and enjoy his positive and chal-
lenging message.
Guest Speaker
Join us as Board Chair Jeff Wilson passes the gavel to incoming Board Chair Chris Wolf. The social hour and dinner features a silent auction. Guest speaker
Mike Jacobs will be followed by the presentation of the prestigious Henry Havig Award for community service.
Corporate Sponsors Business Sponsors
Associate SponsorsGF Region EDC Insight Technologies PS Doors TrainND
Boardwalk Bar & Grill
For just under one year now The Chamber has featured one East Grand Forks business in the
EGF Exponent newspaper as our Business of the Week. To date, close to 50 East Grand Forks Chamber Members have been featured.
The feature of one business per week includes a photo of the owners, management and staff at each business along with a brief history and description of what the busi-ness does.
Chamber President, Barry Wilfahrt visits each busi-ness and does the interview
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: Jeff Wilson
Vilandre Heating, Air Conditioning Plumbing
Chair-Elect: Chris Wolf Alerus Financial
Past Chair: Chris Semrau Ralph Engelstad Arena
Secretary: Kristi Magnuson Nelson Hugo’s/Hugo’s Wine & Spirits
Ron Galstad Galstad, Jensen, Olson PA
Colin Cutler Bold Method LLC
Barry Wilfahrt The Chamber - GF/EGF
Directors
Craig Amiot - 5 Star Collision Bill Burga - LM Windpower
Dan Dahl - Dahl Funeral Home Torrie Enget - Best Buy
Pete Haga - City of Grand Forks Bonnie Haley - Bon Voyage Travel
Brady Hansen- Verizon Wireless, BeMobile, Inc. Phyllis Johnson- UND
Jay Kleven - EAPC Architects Curt Kreun - GF City Council
John Oncken - True North Equipment Dennis Reisnour - Altru Health System
Brian Rydell - Rydell Auto Center Klaus Thiessen - GF Regional EDC
Coleen Tweten - Midcontinent Comm.
Matt Winjum - Rhombus Guys
Sr. Military Advisor to the Board
Colonel Paul E. Bauman - GFAFB
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Chamber News
personally.“I enjoy visiting the business personally so I knows what is going on in the EGF business commu-nity.” said Barry.
Over the next 15 months the chamber will complete this popular program once every East Grand Forks business that is a member of The Chamber has been featured.
We also want to thank North-land who sponsored the first 6 months of the program and Vilandre Plumbing, Heat-ing and Air Conditioning who are currently sponsoring the weekly feature.
Continued Success for Chamber’s EGF Business of the Week Program
Havig Award Winner SelectedPast recipients of the Henry Havig Award met last month to select the 2013 recipient of the Henry Havig Award. The award will be presented by Past Havig Award winner, Bob Boyd at the January 16th Chamber Annual Meeting.
This is The Chamber’s most prestigious award and is giv-en annually to those special individuals who stand above the crowd by their dedication to our community through community service in multiple volunteer leadership roles. It is an award that recognizes individuals who have provided exemplary voluntary leader-ship service to our community over a long period of time and in a broad spectrum of com-munity activities.
Mike Jacobs Annual Meeting Keynote SpeakerGrand Forks Herald Publisher Mike Jacobs will bring his wit and vision to the Chamber An-nual meeting as the keynote speaker. As the long time edi-tor and Publisher of the Herald Mike understand our regions past, has a well grounded
perspective of where we are at today and some great vision of the many opportunities facing our region in the future. Mike has announced his retirement effective March 30th, so come enjoy his positive and chal-lenging message.
Chamber Board Chairman, Jeff Wilson, Vilandre Plumb-ing Heating and Air Condition-ing will turn over the gavel to 2014 chairman Chris Wolf, Alerus Financial. New commit-tee chairs will be recognized and the Chamber’s plan of action for 2014 will be pre-sented.
Plan to attend the annual meeting on Thursday, January 16th at the Alerus Center. So-cial is at 5:30 and the dinner and program follow at 6:30. Reservations can be made by calling the chamber office at 701-772-7271 or by emailing [email protected].
Chamber Forms Workforce Development CommitteePartnering with the EDC, Job Service and the local hu-man resource group (SHRM), The Chamber is heading up a workforce development group.
Chamber News
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According to Chamber Presi-dent, Barry Wilfahrt, finding employees is now the number one concern he hears when he is out visiting members.
At the first meeting held in November, possible partners and possible solutions were discussed. Workforce is a complicated issue but there are some specific things that can be done to get people already living in GF/EGF who are not working into the work-force. The group is exploring those creative possibilities as a first step.
NW Minnesota Intergovernmental Retreat Set for January 23rd.The Chamber is sponsoring an intergovernmental retreat on January 23rd aimed at sharing information between various government and business enti-ties in NW MN. The event will be held at the Boardwalk Bar & Grill from noon to 4:30 p.m. Business people are encour-aged to attend.
Polk County, the City of East Grand Forks, the EGF School District, EGF EDHA, and The Chamber will all give reports. Minnesota State Senator Le-Roy Stumpf, Representative Deb Keil and the Minnesota Congressional Delegation have also been invited to partici-pate. With so many budget issues facing Minnesota we expect some very good discus-sion.
Please let us know if you are planning to attend by calling the chamber office at 701-772-7271. Refreshments are provided; lunch is on your own.
EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS ONLY!Gain exposure for your busi-ness in our full color book highlighting the Grand Cities and area businesses. It’s not too late to reserve your ad space in The Chamber’s 2014 Community Profile/Membership Directory!
All Chamber Members are listed in the back of the book alphabetically and by cat-egory. Make your Directory Listing stand out! Choose BOLD print for only $50, or even better, have your listing printed in RED for only $75. All advertisers in the book receive FREE BOLD print and can add RED PRINT for only $25!
Contact Emberly if you would like more information or to place an ad. [email protected] or 701.772.7271
Join the many Chamber member businesses that have already reserved their 2014 ad space:
1st Liberty Credit UnionAdvanced Engineering and Envi-ronmental ServicesAlerus CenterAlerus Financial Altru Health SystemAmeriprise Financial Services – Debbie AlbertBlue Cross Blue Shield of NDBremer BankBrown CorporationsCanad InnsCariveau Workforce ServicesChoice Health & FitnessEAPC Architects EngineersEdgewood Management GroupEGF Economic Development Housing AuthorityExpressway Inn & SuitesFirst State BankGF Park DistrictGF Public LibraryGF Public SchoolsGF Regional Airport AuthorityHome of EconomyHugo’s Family MarketplaceHugo’s Wine & SpiritsJLG ArchitectsKLJKnight PrintingMidcontinent CommunicationsND Mill & ElevatorNorthland Community Technical CollegeRiverside Christian SchoolSanford HealthSpringHill SuitesSummer Performing Arts (SPA)The Ralph Engelstad ArenaTrainNDTruyuUND University RelationsUniversity of MaryVaaler InsuranceValley Memorial HomesVFW Post 1874 & Ladies Auxil-iaryVilandre Heating, Air Condition-ing and PlumbingWalmartXcel Energy
Chamber News
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1st Liberty Federal Credit UnionAdvance Chiropractic Clinic
Advanced Drainage SystemsAmazon.com
Amundson Family Funeral HomeAnytime Fitness
ArtWiseCapital Resource Management
Century Electric, Inc.Charles Bridgeford, D.D.S.
Community Violence Intervention Center
Cost CuttersCountry Inn & SuitesCustom Stripes, Inc.
Dakota Mailing & Shipping Equipment, Inc.
Dakota Valley LumberEGF Blue Line ClubEmpire Arts Center
F. John MarshallFirst State BankFor Your Health
Galstad, Jensen and McCannGames Galore
Grand Forks WinnelsonGreenberg Realty - Blake Christianson
Greenberg Realty - Lynn KvidtHappy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream Parlor
Home HelpersIndigo Signworks
James O’Connell, D.D.S.Johnston Law Office
l Bistro Mediterranean EateryLander Limited Partnership
Lumber MartMerrill Lynch
Midwest Testing Laboratory, Inc.
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.
Mikkelson Consolidated, L.L.P.Nancy Parr, D.D.S.
National Property Inspections - Tim Brown
Newman Outdoor AdvertisingNorthland Custom Woodworking, Inc.
Opp ConstructionOxford Realty - Mike OppPetcetera Animal Clinic
Playmaker All American LoungePraxair Distribution, Inc.
PUCKS Commercial CleaningRed River Farm NetworkRemer Accounting, PC
River Cinema 15Riverfork Federal Credit Union
RML Trading, LLCRydell Honda Nissan of Grand Forks
S & S Promotional Group, Inc.SCORE-Service Corp of Retired Execu-
tivesSt. Michael’s Catholic Church
Steven Swanson, D.D.S.Swanson & Warcup, Ltd.
Tavern UnitedTDL, Inc.
T-Global, Inc.The Listen CenterThird Street Clinic
Tractor Supply CompanyTransystems
Unique Auto Body & Sales, Inc.Walmart
WelCore HealthWhalen’s Moving & Storage
Xcel EnergyZimney, Foster P.C.
Ambassador Ribbon Cuttings
The Lighting Gallery invites all Chamber Members and their employees to join them for a fun Business After Hours. Stop in...enjoy a fun evening of networking. You
might even win $1000 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 with
drink tickets• Great door prizes including a $1000 Kichler Lighting
Room Giveaway• Progressive cash drawing is at $1000!
Hosted by
The Lighting Gallery
Thursday, December 19, 20134:45pm - 7:00pm
1200 S. Washington St. Grand Forks
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Chamber News
HB Sound & Light ReTrax
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Chamber News
Red River Valley Community ActionJason Schaefer1013 5th StreetGrand Forks, ND 58203(o) [email protected] has been providing a hand-up to those in need, serv-ing our community since 1976. Our 401(e) Home Energy Ser-vice provides energy and com-fort improvements for homes and businesses. Proceeds from 401(e) support many of our non-profit programs.
Welcome New Members!Center for Psychiatric CareTammy Christenson1451 44th Ave. S. Unit AGrand Forks, ND 58201(o) 701-732-2500tammy.christenson@stadter-center.comwww.centerforpsychiatriccare.comCenter for Psychiatric Care is an outpatient Psychiatric Clinic offering services for children, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients. Our staff of psychia-trists and psychotherapists offer counseling and medication management.
Member’s who donate items for the silent auction will be recognized in the auc-tion bid book and on the item bid sheet.
This is a great way to support The Chamber and put your business in front of the hundreds of people who attend the annual meeting.
To donate, email Emberly at
[email protected] or call 701-772-7271.
All items must be received by January 10th. Any item with a minimum $25 value would be a perfect addition to the silent auction.
Thank you for your contribution!
Silent Auction Items NeededPromote your business by donating an item(s) to be on the silent auction table at
The Chamber's Annual Meeting & Dinner on January 16th, 2014.
www.gochamber.org
Chamber News
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Chamber Announces Date of Disney’s Business Excellence Training-Mark Your CalendarsThe Chamber-GF/EGF is partnering with the well known Disney Institute to bring their top notch training to Grand Forks on April 22nd of 2014.
Disney is hailed as a leader in provid-ing excellent training programs. Their trans-formative insights are grounded in real-world
experiences and time-tested philosophies of The Walt Disney Company. The Chamber last hosted this training in the area in 2003 and 2004.
The seminar in April 2014 will be the Disney’s Approach to Business Excellence Training. The full day training will cover: Creativity & In-novation, Leadership Strategies for Organiza-tional Excellence, Disney Selection, Training & Engagement Practices, Consistent Delivery of Quality Service and Fortifying Brand Loyalty. This is a great seminar for all employees to create a stronger team.
Mark you calendars, information on register-ing for the seminar will be available in the coming months.
Many businesses market to their customers in a random and haphazard fashion. Their marketing plan, if you can call it a plan, is merely a series of “reactions” to requests made by advertisers. This results in no real effort to tie all of these marketing activities
into a single strategic direction.
This Brown Bag session will focus on a nine-step process for crafting a
working plan for how to effectively and efficiently market your business or
organization.
Participants will be pro-vided with planning tools
that will allow them to customize the nine-step program for their own unique business
opportunities.
Creating a Working Marketing Plan
Seating is limited. Sign up by December 10, 2013. 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, December 11, 2013 11:30am - 1:00pm
The Chamber - GF/EGF$20/Person (lunch provided)
$30/Non-Member (lunch provided)
Presented by: Eric Giltner, Sr. Area Mgr, Small Business Administration
Home Place Thrift StoreHome Place Thrift StoreHome Place Thrift Store 701-795-9704
1811 S. Washington, Grand Forks, ND1811 S. Washington, Grand Forks, ND www.prairieharvest.netwww.prairieharvest.net
Call us to pick up your donations! (Available Monday, Tuesday or Thursday, schedule permitting)
* Furniture * Appliances * Electronics* Furniture * Appliances * Electronics
* Household Items * Clothing * Books* Household Items * Clothing * Books
All Proceeds Benefit:All Proceeds Benefit:
EAPC Business After Hours
State of the Base Breakfast
Eggstravaganza
Farmer’s Appreciation Banquet
Farmer’s Appreciation Banquet
Eggstravaganza
EAPC Business After HoursEAPC Business After
Hours
State of the Base Breakfast
State of the Base Breakfast
Eggstravaganza
Eggstravaganza
AT THIS WORKSHOP YOU WILL LEARN: The Costs and Benefits of Employee Engagement What Makes For an Engaged Employee Actions that You Can Take to Engage Your
Workforce
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Presidents, CEO's, HR Directors, and Other Senior
Team Leaders that are interested developing a productive engaged workforce that can positively
impact the bottom line.
SCHEDULE Thursday, December 12th
9:00 – 11:00 AM
CLASS LOCATION: Hampton Inn & Suites | 2985 42nd St
Grand Forks, ND
REGISTRATION: $ 49
CONTACT:
ENGAGED EMPLOYEES CREATE RESULTS
Dale Carnegie Training and The Chamber – GF/EGF invite you to a workshop that could dramatically increase your leadership effectiveness and your team's performance. Based on new, groundbreaking research we will show you the three clusters of behaviors that significantly impact engagement. Then, within each cluster we will break down the individual actions you can take to develop enthusiastic, empowered, confident and inspired employees - the type of employees who care, who want to be part of a success story and who will drive your organization to the top. Join us and learn how you can increase productivity and reduce turnover by cultivating a workforce of engaged employees. Register Today for How Smart Leaders Create Engaged Employees!
Copyright © 2012 Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. Smart_leaders_112812_ss
Heather Ostrowski Performance Consultant
Dale Carnegie Business Group of ND 701.476.8734
www.northdakota.dalecarnegie.com01.476.8730
HOW SMART LEADERS CREATE ENGAGED EMPLOYEES
Business Briefs
www.gochamber.org
Larry Thelen Joins AE2S AE2S (Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc.) has hired Larry Thelen as a Program Coordinator for the Western Area Water Sup-ply Project (WAWSP). Larry’s primary focus is on the co-ordination of easement and permit acquisitions, funding administration, and project development for WAWSP; as well as administrative, finan-cial management, and legisla-
tive assistance for the Western Area Water Supply Au-thority (WAWSA) Board of Direc-tors.
Thelen retired recently from his
position as the Drinking Water Program Administrator for the North Dakota Department of Health, Division of Municipal Facilities. He had held the po-sition since 1991. Before that,
he was Manager of the South Central Water District (Bur-leigh Water Users Coop) and the Upper Souris Water Users in Kenmare, ND.
“We’re honored to have Larry and his high caliber work on board with us at AE2S for WAWSP,” says Lisa Ansley, PE, Operations Manager of the firm’s Bismarck, ND office. “Larry’s reputation speaks for itself. He’s an industry leader who helped make certain that North Dakota’s drinking wa-ter met and exceeded federal safety standards. Today, he is bringing that same standard of excellence in his new role for WAWSP.”
Thelen is currently serving as the Director of the North Dakota Section of the Ameri-can Water Works Association (AWWA), and will continue to remain active in AWWA activi-ties on both state and national
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.)
levels. He is a winner of the AWWA’s Kenneth J. Miller Award and George Warren Fuller Award.
Thelen is certified by the North Dakota Department of Health as a Grade 2 Water Plant Operator and a Grade 2 Water Distribution System Operator.
WAWSP is a domestic water project in northwestern North Dakota which utilizes Missouri River water to meet the mu-nicipal, rural, and industrial water needs for all or parts of McKenzie, Williams, Divide, Burke, and Mountrail Counties. The primary focus of the proj-ect is to supply drinking water for an estimated population of 100,000 by 2035.
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management and administra-tion, estimating, budgeting, scheduling, reviewing con-tracts and lien releases, and contributing to the further development of the firm’s ar-chitectural practice. Andy has experience working on a vari-ety of district energy distribu-tion projects, industrial piping installs, and other mechanical upgrade projects including several multi-million dollar projects.
Choice Financial An-nounces AcquisitionChoice Financial announces that pending regulatory ap-proval we will acquire Great Plains National Bank in April 2014 through an ownership agreement jointly approved by the board of directors of both banks.
This partnership will bring together two organizations with a shared commitment to employees, customers and communities. Like Choice Financial, Great Plains National Bank is a financially strong company with a caring, com-munity-focused banking style.
Great Plains National Bank is a $182 million bank, with loca-tions in Dickinson, Belfield, South Heart, Ellendale and LaMoure, N.D., with two full-line insurance agencies in Belfield and LaMoure. The bank was founded in 1909 and celebrates more than 100 years of service.
Choice Financial currently serves locations in Fargo, Go-odrich, Grafton, Grand Forks, Langdon, Petersburg, Walhalla and West Fargo, N.D. and Comfrey, Minn. The combined organization will have $842 million in assets, and 190 team members.
“We see this acquisition as a great growth opportunity with the development that’s hap-pening in western North Da-kota,” stated Choice Financial CEO, Brian. Choice knows the agriculture business well, and
play contests that include Cub Foods/County Market Truck-load Sale contest, Trainload Sale contest, National Camp-bell’s Soup and Sandwich dis-play contest, SuperValu Na-tional Beef Stampeed Contest two years in a row.
Leon has been active in the North Dakota Grocers Associa-tion is currently the Chairman of the Board.
EAPC Receives Design Award EAPC Architects Engineers, with design consultant OLC, received an Outstanding De-
sign Award for the Minot State University Well-ness Center. This award was rec-ognized in the Sports Stadium/Athletic Facility category from
American School & University, the information source for education facilities and busi-ness professionals. This new 60,000 SF facility supports all dimensions of wellness and provides exclusive areas for locker rooms, exercise equip-ment, weight rooms, intramu-ral gym space, group exercise classes, rock climbing, and student activities.
Widseth Smith Nolting Welcomes Andy Pickar Andy Pickar recently joined Widseth Smith Nolting’s ar-chitectural team as a proj-ect manager for design and construction projects. Andy
has more than 5 years of experi-ence in project management, contract manage-ment, and con-tract administra-tion, most re-cently with Corval Group, Inc., of St.
Paul, Minnesota. He earned a bachelor of science in con-struction management from the University of Minnesota-Mankato.
As a project manager, Andy is responsible for construction
Leon Merck Joins Hugo’s Hugo’s Family Marketplace is pleased to add Leon Merck to their team as the Chief Busi-ness Development Officer.
Leon began his grocery career at Barlow’s Miracle Mart in 1977 sort-ing pop bottles and burning cardboard in the incinerator room, then bagged, and
stocked groceries.
Leon attended North Dakota State University with a dream of becoming an Architect. That didn’t last long, as he moved back to Minot to attend Minot State University with a con-centration of Business Man-agement.
In 1982 he accepted a position at the new County Market in Williston ND where he helped set up the new store and managed the demolition of an older SuperValu store nearby and eventually becoming the Assistant Store Manager.
In May of 1990 Leon was very excited to get the position of Store Director at the new Mar-ketPlace Foods in Minot ND. Owned by Johanneson’s Inc from Bemidji MN. Supplied by Fairway Foods, and then Su-perValu in 2000.
In 2004 he moved to Bemi-dji MN and became the Retail Operations Director for the MarketPlace Food and Drug Corporate Office. His respon-sibilities have been to over-see twelve supermarkets, six liquor stores, gas stations, dollar store operations, and transportation operations. Leon also simultaneously worked with three SuperValu Distribution Centers, three Nash Finch Distributions Cen-ters and vendor communities in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Leon worked with Pace Development and wholesalers to remodel or build sixteen stores.
Leon has won many regional and national promotional dis-
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Business Briefs
Cont. on page 13
During construction, construc-tion manager Community Contractors reduced waste by 98.12%, deferring nearly 73 tons from North Dakota land-fills. By recycling rather than disposing, construction waste costs were reduced by 51%.
“Our employees are breathing clean air, enjoying a connec-tion to the outdoors and have truly embraced the ‘green’ lifestyle by recycling, reusing and reducing,” said Kris Comp-ton, chair of the UND Alumni Association Board of Directors. “The benefits of LEED Platinum can be seen not only in our bottom line, but in the health, productivity and emotional well-being of our staff.”
The UND Alumni Center’s en-ergy, water and resource use is monitored in real time at http://buildingdashboard.com/clients/und/gorecki
Convention & Visitors Bureau Awards Grants The Greater Grand Forks Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is pleased to announce six organizations planning up-coming events were awarded grants. The CVB recently re-vised the event funding pro-gram with new criteria depen-dant upon the type of event being planned.
The Hospitality Grant provides funds for conventions and athletic tournaments where the organizers need assistance to expand the “simply grand” experience and roll out the red carpet. The following received funds from this source:
• Jason Stadstad Hockey Clas-sic - $500
• North Dakota USBC Bowling Association Championship - $2,500
• North Dakota Class B Region 2 Boys’ & Girls’ Basketball Championships - $1,000
• FIRST LEGO League State Tournament - $1,500
looks forward to expanding its expertise to the LaMoure and Ellendale communities.
“Great Plains has an excel-lent employee base with team members who will continue to serve the needs of their communities as they have in the past, but will bring new products and services to those areas,” Johnson said.
JLG Featured in Inc. Hire Power Awards JLG Architects has been fea-tured in the 2nd annual Inc. Hire Power Awards, recogniz-ing the private businesses that have generated the most jobs in the past 18 months. JLG generated 29 jobs from Janu-ary 1st, 2012 to June 30th, 2013, placing it among the top job creators in North Dakota.
The Inc. Hire Power Awards were open to US-based, pri-vate companies that were founded in 2011 or earlier and employed at least 10 full-time US-based employees as of December 31, 2012.
LEED Platinum building Sets New Standard The U.S. Green Building Coun-cil (USGBC) has awarded LEED Platinum® certification to the University of North Dakota Gorecki Alumni Center. De-
signed by JLG Archi-tects, it is the first Platinum building in North Dakota and the
first Platinum alumni center in the United States.
“We have a responsibility to the long-term health of our state, our citizens and our wallets to design buildings that require the lowest pos-sible maintenance costs with the healthiest indoor envi-ronment,” said Tim O’Keefe, Executive Vice President and CEO of the UND Alumni As-sociation & Foundation. “The UND Gorecki Alumni Center is
13
Business Briefs
the first of a new paradigm in construction in North Dakota, where buildings work for their owners and occupants.”
Intended to lower energy use by 32% compared to other similar buildings, the Gorecki Alumni Center has exceeded benchmarks in its first year of operation, reducing en-ergy use by 40% and saving $38,075. On the roof, 207 solar panels have surpassed their original design model and have gained 8% more energy than projected. Over 60% of the Gorecki Alumni Center fea-tures high performance glass with adjustable shades, which brings natural daylight to 97% of the spaces and greatly reduces the need for artificial light. In addition, an inno-vative, highly efficient HVAC system, designed by mechani-cal engineer Obermiller Nelson Engineering, works in tandem with an underground geother-mal system to regular temper-atures and reduce heating and cooling costs.
The Gorecki Alumni Center also uses 38% less water than a traditional building of its size. Inside, aerators and sensors on faucets and low-flow urinals and toilets reduce water use. Outside, an exten-sive stormwater management system created by civil engi-neer AE2S retains runoff and keeps the Center from drawing on city water systems, sav-ing 288,296 gallons of water a year.
In a region where the aver-age person spends 90% of their time indoors, the Gorecki Alumni Center was designed for optimal air quality to re-duce health risks and raise alertness and productivity. The Center brings in 25% more outside air than other comparable buildings while using 60% less energy to heat the air, and the mechanical filters are 100% more efficient than those in a standard build-ing. Air quality is automati-cally monitored and adjusted when Co2 levels rise.
Cont. on page 14
www.gochamber.org
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Chamber News
• 9th Annual Dewey Kvidt Du-athlon, 10K & 5K - $250
The Marketing Grant provides non-local advertising and pro-motion funds for events and festivals to assist with increas-ing visitation in Greater Grand Forks, as more than 85% of the Convention & Visitors Bureau budget comes from visitor-generated lodging tax. The 4th Annual Sunshine Fest was awarded $3,000.
For more information about the funding programs or
events mentioned here, con-tact Julie Rygg, CVB Executive Director, at 701.746.0444 or [email protected].
Free Internship Seminar for Businesses Any and all businesses who are interested in housing in-terns in the future should plan to attend this annual FREE event on December 10th! Hear from those who have interns about the benefits, challenges, and things to note. Ask ques-tions, network, and more!
There will be a free lunch pro-vided, but you MUST RSVP to [email protected] by Decem-ber 9th in order to guarantee your spot. The event starts at 11:45am with lunch and pro-gram to follow at the Center for Innovation. This event is part of an ongoing effort with the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals, the UND Center for Community Engagement, and UND Career Services to increase knowledge and avail-ability of internships in the Grand Cities area.
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Russ Jackson Dennis Miller1215 N 42nd St. Grand Forks, ND, 701.746.9845
Bakke, MelissaUND Dakota Student
Brooks, ThomasHugo’s Family Marketplace
Brorson, StaceyBeMobile, Inc.
Billberg, ArleneHugo’s Family Marketplace
Berg, TriciaPrairie Harvest Mental Health
Bancroft, RobynUND
Dammann, BrentWidseth Smith Nolting
Gerloff, ChadAltru Health System
Hjellmen, TerryCity of GF Public Works
Flynn, AmberUND Wellness Center
Faber, DavidSigma Defense Systems, Inc.
Ellingson, DebbieHugo’s Family Marketplace
Holter, KristaNorthlands Rescue Mission
Klockmann, RichardGrand Forks Public Health
Kratochvil, DavidCity of Grand Forks
Klefstad, ConnieThe Chamber - GF/EGF
Kaiser, JoshValley Dairy
Johnson, JasonPizza Ranch
2013 Chamber Leadership Class
Kuhns, DeanAlerus Financial
Lee, DarinUND
Laraway, AndreaCity of GF Office of Urban Develop-ment
LaHaise, Lt. GregCity of GF Police Department
Kuntz, LindaCity of GF Finance Depart-ment
Lebacken, JayTrue North Equipment
Little, MichaelAltru Health System
MacDonald, BonnieCity of GF Hu-man Resources
Puhl-Winkler, JennUND Wellness Center
Olson, JeffEGF Water & Light Department
Morseth, JillTrainND North-east
Peterka, Jill UND Office of Ext. Learning
Rauschendorfer, SeanChoice Financial Group
Reller, TristiCity of GF Public Health
Ruff, ConnorAlerus Financial
Soderfelt, JoeyOne Hour Heat-ing and Air
Slivkoff, JeffSigma Defense Systems, Inc.
Shawstad, ChrisCity of GF Public Works
Solc, JardaAE2S
Uhlir, JasonMinnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.
Watt, ShayneHugo’s Family Marketplace
Yavarow, MatthewCity of GF Engineering Dept.
Wood, BobbiGrand Forks Public Library
Welch, BriceBremer Bank
Zerrr, MandeeNorthlands Res-cue Mission
Klawon, GwenLeadership Class Facilitator
Congratulations to the 2013 Leadership Class on completing the program. The class will graduate on Wednesday, December 11th.