january 2015 the voice newsletter

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THE January 2015 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 FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015 Annual Meeting 2015 C ORDIALLY I NVITES Y OU T O JOIN U S F OR O UR The Voice of Business 2014 Board Chair Chris Wolf passes the gavel to 2015 Board Chair Kristi Magnuson Nelson. GUEST SPEAKER: United States Senator Heidi Heitkamp Presentation of the prestigious Henry Havig Award for community service. Stick around for an after event social with friends in our special on-ice lounge. Evening Highlights 5:30pm Social & Silent Auction 6:30pm Dinner & Program Reservations are required by January 22nd, 2015. $50/person or $360/table of eight Contact us at 772-7271 or [email protected] Reservations not cancelled 3 business days prior to event will be billed. For Reservations: Friday, January 30, 2015 Ralph Engelstad Arena Main Arena Bowl Business Sponsors Associate Sponsors GGF Convention & Visitor’s Bureau ~ PS Garage Doors ~ Shooting Star Casino Corporate Sponsors

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Official Publication of The Chamber - GF/EGF

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Page 1: January 2015 The Voice Newsletter

Official Publication of Grand Forks - East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce

THEJanuary 2015

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

F R I D A Y , J A N U A R Y 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

Annual Meeting2015

C o r d i a l l y i n v i t e s y o u t o j o i n u s F o r o u r

The Voice of Business

2014 Board Chair Chris Wolf passes the gavel to 2015 Board Chair Kristi Magnuson Nelson.

Guest speaker:

United States Senator Heidi Heitkamp

Presentation of the prestigious Henry Havig Award for community service. Stick around for an after event social with friends in our special on-ice lounge.

Evening Highlights

5:30pm Social & Silent Auction 6:30pm Dinner & Program

Reservations are required by

January 22nd, 2015.$50/person or

$360/table of eight

Contact us at 772-7271 or [email protected]

Reservations not cancelled 3 business days prior to event will be billed.

For Reservations:

Friday, January 30, 2015Ralph Engelstad Arena

Main Arena Bowl

Business Sponsors

Associate Sponsors GGF Convention & Visitor’s Bureau ~ PS Garage Doors ~ Shooting Star Casino

Corporate Sponsors

Looking for a fun way to get your business noticed? Donate an item or package to the silent auction that will be part of the Annual Meeting/Dinner.

Your business will be recognized in the auction program, on the item’s bid sheet and in future auction promotions. Even if you are not able to attend the event, take part by donating something to the silent

auction. Attendees will have fun admiring your donated item and bidding in the auction.

Contact Emberly to arrange your auction donation at [email protected] or 701-772-7271.

Page 2: January 2015 The Voice Newsletter

Chamber News

Jason Heintz Scheels

Brady Hansen BeMobile, Inc.

Bonnie Rygg-Haley Bon Voyage Travel

Kenny Holweger Kenny’s Music

Curt Kreun ND State Representative

Pat McLean Clear Channel Comm.

2015 Chamber LeadershipExecutive Committee

Board of Directors

Amy Haagenson Brady Martz & Asssoc. P.C. Vice Chair

John Oncken True North Equip.Chair Elect/Treasurer

Chris Wolf Alerus FinancialPast Chair

Ron Galstad Galstad, Jensen & McCann, PA Vice Chai/Secretary

Matt Walkowiak Ground Round Vice Chair

Kristi Magnuson-Nelson Hugo’s Wine & Spirits Board Chair

Tom DiLorenzo UND

Dan Dahl Dahl Funeral Home

Barry Wilfahrt The Chamber - GF/EGF President/CEO

Pete Haga City of Grand Forks

Kellee Fisk Altru Health System

Josh Brown Thompson Insur-ance

Col. Paul Bauman GFAFB Commander Sr. Military Advisor to the Board

Klaus Thiessen GF Region Economic Dev. Corporation

Cheryl Swanson Alerus Center

Brian Rydell Rydell Auto Center

Bob Moore River Cinema

Tom Rosendahl Dakota Supply Group

Welcome to our 2015 Executive Committee, Board of Directors and Kristi Magnuson Nelson who will serve as Chair of the Board of Directors for 2015.

2

Page 3: January 2015 The Voice Newsletter

Chamber to Host Legislative ForumsGrand Forks legislators will par-ticipate in three open forums this legislative session. Each legislator provides a brief update on what is going on in Bismarck from their perspective followed by questions from the audience.

The Forums are all held in the GF City Council Chambers and are set for:

January 24th – 9:30 – 11 a.m.

February 14th – 9:30 – 11 a.m.

March 24th – 9:30 – 11 a.m.

The Chamber’s Government Af-fairs Committee will host the fo-rums which will be moderated by Dane Ferguson, Ferguson Books and Media and Garth Rydland, CEO of Valley Memorial and Val-ley 4000. The forum’s are open to the public.

EGF Intergovernmental Retreat February 11The Chamber is sponsoring an intergovernmental retreat on February 11th aimed at sharing information between various gov-ernment and business entities in Northwestern MN. The event will be held on February 11th from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Busi-ness people are encouraged to attend.

Polk County, the City of East Grand Forks, the EGF School Dis-trict, EGF EDHA, Northland and The Chamber will all give reports. Minnesota State Senator LeRoy Stumpf, Repre-sentative Deb Keil and the Minnesota Congressional Delegation have also been invited to participate.

Please let us know if you are plan-ning to attend by calling the cham-

Staff

Barry Wilfahrt President/CEO

[email protected]

Lisa Swanson Vice President of Operations

[email protected]

Kimberly Strom Program/Event Director

[email protected]

Carla Younce Finance Director

[email protected]

Emberly Lietz Membership Director

[email protected]

Connie Klefstad Administrative Assistant

[email protected]

Audrey Lind Project Assistant

OfficersChair: Kristi Magnuson Nelson

Hugo’s/Hugo’s Wine & Spirits Chair-Elect: John Oncken - True

North Equipment Past Chair: Chris Wolf

Alerus Financial Secretary: Ron Galstad

Galstad, Jensen, McCann PA Matt Walkowiak - Ground Round Amy Haagenson- Brady Martz &

Assoc. P.C. Barry Wilfahrt

The Chamber - GF/EGF

Directors

Josh Brown - Thompson Insurance Dan Dahl - Dahl Funeral Home

Tom DiLorenzo - UND Kellee Fisk - Altru

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 Curt Kreun - GF City Council

Pat McLean - Clear Channel Comm. Bob Moore - River Cinema

Tom Rosendahl - Dakota Supply Group Brian Rydell - Rydell Auto Center Cheryl Swanson- Alerus Center

Klaus Thiessen - GF Regional EDC

Sr. Military Advisor to the Board

Colonel Paul E. Bauman - GFAFB

Chamber News

ber office at 701-772-7271. Re-freshments are provided; buffet lunch is on your own.

Team Grand Forks Sets Legislative PrioritiesThe Chamber, City of GF, UND, GF Region EDC and Grand Forks County work together to promote key community priorities each legislative session. While each group also has their own priori-ties, these are the priorities the group will work corroboratively, much like we did on BRIC funding and the medical and law school two years ago. The top priorities this session are:

Funding for a new water treat-ment plant

Additional funds for the DOT for special projects like an underpass at Demers and 42nd street

Funding for Grand Sky UAS De-velopment Park at GFAFB

$16,000,000 for replacement of the runway aprons at the airport

NV360 Community Visioning Update Report PlannedA group of local leaders will travel to Bismarck on March 5th and 6th to meet with the Governor and key leaders to talk about the Team Grand Forks agenda.

16 South 16th Street • Fargo, ND 58103701.235.1121 • 888.526.1121 • www.knightprinting.com

happy holidaysfrom

488948_11nov_kp.indd 1 11/4/14 9:49 AM

3

Cont. on page 13

Page 4: January 2015 The Voice Newsletter

Good Samaritan Society Heritage Grove invites all Chamber Members and their employees to join them for a fun Business After Hours. Enjoy the fun and take advantage of great networking opportunities. You might even win $700 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 and beverages

• Great Door Prizes including UND Men’s Hockey tickets• Progressive cash drawing is at $700!

Thursday, January 15, 20154:45pm - 7:00pm

Hosted by

Good Samaritan Society Heritage Grove

2122 River Rd. NW, East Grand Forks MN

Chamber News

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.

5-Star Collision & Glass CenterA Transmission City

AAA Quality CleanersAchieve Therapy & Fitness

ACME ToolsAdvanced Business Methods

AE2SAffinity Builders LLC

AFLAC - Judy IngvalsonAg Country

Alerus CenterAlerus Financial

All About Kids, Inc.Altru Family YMCA

Altru Health FoundationAltru Hospital

American Federal BankAmerican Tire Service, Inc.

American Tire SouthAmeriPride

Anderson Steel Erection & Crane ServAqua Pure Water Solutions

Area Community Credit UnionArtWiseArvig

Aspen StudioBank Forward

Bert’s Truck EquipmentBetaseed

Border States Electric Supply Co.Brady, Martz & Associates, P.C.

Brekke Tours & TravelBremer Bank

Britton Transport, Inc.Brockmeyer Tile & Stone, Inc.

Brown CorporationsBusiness Essentials

C & R Cleaners & LaundryC.L. Linfoot Company

Cabela’s Inc.Cambridge Property Management

Camrud, Maddock, Olson & Larson Ltd.Cancer Center of North Dakota

Cenex - Gateway DriveCentury Properties

CenturyLinkChoice Health & Fitness

CHS Ag Services

Continued on next page...

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Page 5: January 2015 The Voice Newsletter

Citizens Community Credit UnionCity of East Grand Forks

C’Mon InnColdwell Banker: Jodi Danzl

Columbia MallCommunity Contractors, Inc.

Community Foundation of GF, EGFCommunity Options

Community Safety NetConlin’s Furniture

Construction EngineersContinental Covenant, LLC

Country Inn & SuitesCountrywide Sanitation

CPS, Ltd Engineering/Land SurveyingCulinex

Curtis Tanabe, DDSCustom Aire Mechanical ContractingD.J. Burris Quality Carpet Cleaning

Dakota Carrier NetworkDakota Commercial & Development - Jerry

YoungbergDance, Etc!

Dean Foods N.C., Inc./Land O’ LakesDeitz Companies

DeMers Dental (Dr. Erickson)DeMers Dental (Dr. Stadem)

Denny’sDevelopment Homes, Inc.

Docu-Shred, Inc.Drees, Riskey & Vallager, Ltd.

Duaine EspegardEagle Electric

EAPC Architects EngineersEast Grand In

Economic Development Housing AuthorityEdgewood Vista - East Grand Forks

Edward Jones - Ken JohnsonEGF Rod & Gun ClubEmpire Arts Center

Express Employment ProfessionalsExpressway Suites

Face and Jaw Surgery CenterFarmers Insurance Group - George Wogaman

Ferguson Books & More!Fert-L-Lawn

First Church of God, Grand ForksFirst Class Mortgage

First State BankFlorian & Sons Excavating

Frandsen Bank & TrustGalstad, Jensen and McCann, PA

GF Abstract & Title CompanyGF American Legion Post #6

GF Board of RealtorsGF Regional Airport Authority

Membership Renewals ....Continued

Girl Scouts - Dakota HorizonsGolden Rule Auto Repair

Good Samaritan Society Heritage GroveGoodInsurance - Bonnie Baglien

Gowan Construction, IncGrand Forks Builders and Traders Exchange

Grand Forks Public SchoolsGrand Forks Region Economic Development Cor-

porationGrand Forks Senior Center

Grand Forks WinnelsonGreat Clips for Hair

Greenberg Realty - Lynn KvidtGreenberg Realty, Inc.

Hammarback & Scheving, P.L.C.Hampton Inn & Suites

Hanson-Maves Company (Bekins)Hardware Hank

Healing Arts Institute, LLCHeartland Paper Company

Heyer Engineering P.C.Hjelmstad Insurance

Home Care CompanionsHoward Johnson

Hugo’s Retail Support CenterHugo’s Wine & Spirits - 32nd Ave

Hugo’s Wine & Spirits - Columbia RdIdeal Aerosmith, Inc.

Ideal Aerosmith, Inc. (GF)Independent School District #595

Ink, Inc.Innes Construction Company

Insure ForwardInvisimax

Ironhide EquipmentIteris, Inc. - Grand Forks

J & G LandscapingJeff’s Landscaping

Jenny Craig Weight Loss CentreJob Service North Dakota

Joe Black’sJohnston Law Office

JTC, Inc.Jump for Joy Bounce Houses

KapStone Container CorporationKeith’s Security World

Kelly ServicesKenny’s Music

Kentucky Fried ChickenKnights Inn and Suites

Kuhl PropertiesL & M Meats & SausageLakeview Inn & Suites

Lander Limited PartnershipLaser Systems

Liberty Business Systems, Inc.

Continued on next page...

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Page 6: January 2015 The Voice Newsletter

Membership Renewals ....Continued

LM WindpowerLunseth Plumbing & Heating

Main Resource Equipment Auctions & Land Sales

Maple View Memory Care CommunityMartin Mechanical Design

McDonald’s - EGFMcDonald’s Columbia MallMcDonald’s Gateway Drive

McDonald’s South WashingtonMcFarlane

McKenna & Associates, P.C.McKinnon Company

Merry MaidsMidwest Refrigeration, Inc.Mikkelson Consolidated, LLP

Millennium Systems Technology, Inc.MinnKota Enviro Services, Inc.

Morgan Printing, Inc.Mutch Oil Co. of Grand Forks, Inc.

My Place HotelsND Div of Voc RehabND Mill & ElevatorNetwork Center

Newcomers Welcome ServiceNodak Mutual - David Kent

North Dakota Eye ClinicNorth Dakota Safety CouncilNorth Dakota Society of CPAs

Northeastern Dakota Area H.R. AssnNorthern Air Family Fun Center

Northern Bag & Box Northern Lights Council, Boy Scouts of Am

Northern Plains Potato Growers Assn.Northlands Rescue Mission

Northridge (Hospitality & Construction)Northwest Tire

Northwood Park TownhomesOlson, Juntunen & Sandberg, Ltd

One Hour Heating and Air ConditioningOpticare - Forks Vision Clinic

Options: Interstate Resource Center for Independent Living

Our Savior’s Lutheran ChurchPark University

Party CityPearson, Christensen & Clapp, PLLP

Performance Chiropractic PLLCPetcetera Animal Clinic

Peterson Veterinary ClinicPolk County DAC

Porta-Mix Concrete, Inc.Prairie Harvest Mental Health

Premium Waters, Inc.Priority Title, LLC

Pro Dog Security, LLCPro Transport & Leasing, Inc.

Prudential Crary Real Estate - Linda PiercePS Garage Doors

RBB ElectricRed Pepper East, Inc.

Red River AutoRed River State Recreation AreaRed River Valley Motorcyclists

Reliance Telephone Systems Inc.Remer Accounting, PC

Rhombus GuysRiddle’s Jewelry

Right Choice Electric, Inc.River Cinema 15

Riverfork Federal Credit UnionRiverside Christian School

Robinson ExcavatingRogers Construction, Inc.

Ron KochevarSalon East

Scott’s Music Stores, Inc.Senator Tom Campbell

Sherwin WilliamsShooting Star Casino

Simonson Lumber & HardwareSki & Bike Shop

Southern Estates, Inc.Speedway Grill & Bar

Spray AdvantageSpringhill Suites

St. Anne’s Guest HomeSt. Joseph’s Social Care & Thrift Store

St. Michael’s Catholic ChurchSt. Michael’s Catholic School

State Farm Insurance - Gary BelanusState Farm Insurance - Randy Fenley

Steamatic Total Cleaning & RestorationSteeple Apartments, LLCStennes Granite Company

Sterling Carpet One Floor & HomeSteve Adams Farms

Steve Erlandson, D.D.S.Steven Swanson, D.D.S.Stone’s Mobile Radio, Inc.

Success UnlimitedSunrooms Plus, Inc.

Super One FoodsSwingen Construction Company

S-Y CommoditiesTDL, Inc.

The Arc, Upper ValleyThe Exponent

The Greater Grand Forks Fair & ExhibitionThe Heart Institute

The Home Place Thrift StoreThe Shrink Tank.com LLC

The UPS Store

Continued on next page...

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Page 7: January 2015 The Voice Newsletter

Chamber News

We want to be your Business Resource!

Brad BulgerRegional Director of Business Development 3351 32nd Ave S • Grand Forks, ND 58201701-772-9960 • [email protected]

*AS RECOGNIZED BY DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS.COM IN

OCTOBER 2014

*

Membership Renewals ....ContinuedTitan Machinery

UND Athletic DepartmentUND University of North Dakota

PresidentUnited Valley Bank - Downtown

University StationUrban Stampede

Vaaler Insurance, Inc.Valley Bone & Joint Clinic

Valley Community Health Cen-ters

Valley Memorial HomesValley Oral & Facial Surgery

Vibrant Painting & Contracting, LLC

Vilandre Heating, Air Condition-ing & Plumbing

Vreeland Remodeling, Inc.Wall’s Medicine Center

Webster, Foster and WestonWelcore Health

Wells Fargo BankWendy’s

Whalen’s Moving & StorageWinmar Sleep Center

Wireless Concepts

Wizard’s Cleaning, Inc.Women’s Pregnancy Center

Wonder YearsXcel Energy

Yorhom Medical EssentialsZimney, Foster P.C.

James O’Connell, D.D.S.Lisa’s Soy Scents

Mayport Insurance & Realty, Inc.

Modern Auto Body, Inc.National Property Inspections -

Tim BrownNew Horizon Chiropractic &

Wellness CtrNewman Outdoor AdvertisingNorthland Custom Woodwork-

ing, Inc.Northwestern Mutual Financial

NetworkOpp Construction

Oxford RealtyPraxair Distribution, Inc.

PUCKS Commercial Cleaning

Red River Farm NetworkRed River Valley Community

ActionRivard’s Turf & Forage Inc.

RML Trading, LLCSanders 322 DeMers LLC

Spare Husband, Inc.Stay & Play Pet Resort

Sunshine Memorial FoundationSuper Target

Swanson & WarcupThe Bun LoungeThe Listen CenterThird Street Clinic

Thrivent Financial - John Hal-stenson

TransystemsUnique Auto Body & Sales, Inc.

United Valley BankValley Truck Parts & Service

Valley Vision ClinicVigen Construction, Inc.Viscito Family Medicine

Zwireless

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Page 8: January 2015 The Voice Newsletter

Chamber News

While the nation’s energy demands keep rising, EPA standards keep getting tougher. Not to worry: North Dakota power companies are meeting the challenge of demand and actually exceeding the EPA’s environmental standards. Our air quality is among the best in the nation. Learn how we’re working for both a healthy economy and a healthy environment at SecureEnergyFuture.org

North Dakota is meeting higher energy demandsand exceeding tougher environmental standards.

SecureEnergyFuture.org

Breathe easy.

8

F R I D A Y , J A N U A R Y 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

Annual Meeting2015

C o r d i a l l y i n v i t e s y o u t o j o i n u s F o r o u r

The Voice of Business

2014 Board Chair Chris Wolf passes the gavel to 2015 Board Chair Kristi Magnuson Nelson.

Guest speaker:

United States Senator Heidi Heitkamp

Presentation of the prestigious Henry Havig Award for community service. Stick around for an after event social with friends in our special on-ice lounge.

Evening Highlights

5:30pm Social & Silent Auction 6:30pm Dinner & Program

Reservations are required by

January 22nd, 2015.$50/person or

$360/table of eight

Contact us at 772-7271 or [email protected]

Reservations not cancelled 3 business days prior to event will be billed.

For Reservations:

Friday, January 30, 2015Ralph Engelstad Arena

Main Arena Bowl

Business Sponsors

Associate Sponsors GGF Convention & Visitor’s Bureau ~ PS Garage Doors ~ Shooting Star Casino

Corporate Sponsors

Looking for a fun way to get your business noticed? Donate an item or package to the silent auction that will be part of the Annual Meeting/Dinner.

Your business will be recognized in the auction program, on the item’s bid sheet and in future auction promotions. Even if you are not able to attend the event, take part by donating something to the silent

auction. Attendees will have fun admiring your donated item and bidding in the auction.

Contact Emberly to arrange your auction donation at [email protected] or 701-772-7271.

Page 9: January 2015 The Voice Newsletter

Chamber News

Northern Air Family Fun CenterBryan Lee1600 32nd Ave SouthGrand Forks, ND 58203(P) 701-757-4386northernairfec@yahoo.comwww.northernairffc.comNorthern Air is Grand Forks’ premiere location for family fun! We have a brand new laser tag arena, an awesome trampoline park and huge inflatable’s zone. Guaranteed fun for all ages

Welcome New Members!PRO ResourcesPam ZinnielBismarck, ND 58501(P) 701.361.1816(P) 218.847.2173(P) 800 Go To [email protected] you have 3 employees or 253—we offer a customized service for all the necessary needs of running your business: • Payroll • Compliance • HR • Workers’ Comp • Benefits • Safety

Is Your Business Financially Healthy?

Are you finding that the bottom line of your business is not as robust as you thought it should be? Every business owner and manager should monitor the financial health of his or her business on a regular basis. Financial statement analysis lays the groundwork for better and timelier decisions in all phases of business activity. Attend this Brown Bag session to learn about simple, easy to find numbers from your financial statements that will help you manage your business to greater success. Here is just a sample of what you will learn:

How to decipher general accounting terminology. Interpreting annual, quarterly, or monthly reports into knowledge to support better decision

making. How ratio analysis can uncover hidden costs and areas of inefficiencies. Using financial ratio to analyze trends important to your business and industry.

Presented by: Eric Giltner, Senior Area Manager, Small Business Administration Josh Klug, Regional Director, North Dakota Small Business Development Center

Wednesday, January 21, 2015 11:30am – 1:00pm

The Chamber Board Room $20/person ~ Member (Includes Lunch)

$30/person ~ Non-Member (Includes Lunch)

Seating is limited. Sign up soon! Reservations can be made at 772-7271 or email [email protected] with the names of those attending.

RSVP deadline is January 20, 2015.

Reservations not cancelled 3 days prior to event will be billed.

9

Page 10: January 2015 The Voice Newsletter

December Brown Bag Seminar

Ambassador Committee December Meeting

Lithia Business After Hours

Lithia Business After Hours

Leadership Program Graduation

Leadership Program Graduation

Page 11: January 2015 The Voice Newsletter

Lithia Business After Hours

Eggstravaganza

December Brown Bag

Eggstravaganza

Ambassadors December Meeting

Eggstravaganza

Page 12: January 2015 The Voice Newsletter

Business Briefs

Alerus Financial An-nounces Purchase of Interactive Retirement Systems, Inc. Alerus Financial, N.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of Alerus Financial Corporation (OTCQB: ALRS) will acquire Interac-tive Retirement Systems, LTD, effective January 2, 2015. Located in Bloomington, MN, Interactive Retirement Sys-tems provides recordkeeping, consulting, and administra-tion for 160 retirement plans, 16,200 plan participants, and $1.25 billion in plan assets. The acquisition will increase Alerus Retirement Solutions, a division of Alerus Financial, N.A., retirement plan assets under administration to $17.4 billion. With this acquisition, Alerus will serve over 5,000 retirement plans with 278,000 plan participants in 49 states.

“The timing and location of this opportunity couldn’t have been more ideal,” commented Randy Newman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alerus. “Our company has long-term growth strategies to expand our presence in the Twin Cities and to diversify earnings through fee-based fi-nancial products and services. This transaction presents us with a unique opportunity to acquire a well-respected re-tirement plan provider in our designated growth market.”

“We are impressed by how In-teractive Retirement Systems does business and pleased to have their owners join the Alerus team,” said Brian Overby, President of Alerus Retirement Solutions. “We look forward to working with our new clients and participants as we introduce them to Alerus.”

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.)

Alerus Retirement Solutions provides retirement plan ad-ministration and recordkeep-ing services to clients located across the country from offices in Minnesota, North Dakota, Michigan, and New Hampshire. It ranks in the top 40 nation-ally based on assets under administration, number of retirement plans, and number of participants.

New Standard Mileage Rates Announced The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2015 optional stan-dard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2015, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck will be:

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Page 13: January 2015 The Voice Newsletter

• 57.5 cents per mile for busi-ness miles driven, up from 56 cents in 2014

• 23 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, down half a cent from 2014

• 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organiza-tions

The standard mileage rate for business is based on an an-nual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile, including depre-ciation, insurance, repairs, tires, maintenance, gas and oil. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs, such as gas and oil. The charitable rate is set by law.

Taxpayers always have the option of claiming deductions based on the actual costs of using a vehicle rather than the standard mileage rates.

A taxpayer may not use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after claim-ing accelerated depreciation, including the Section 179 expense deduction, on that vehicle. Likewise, the standard rate is not available to fleet owners (more than four ve-hicles used simultaneously). Details on these and other special rules are in Revenue Procedure 2010-51, the in-structions to Form 1040 and various online IRS publications including Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax.

Besides the standard mile-age rates, Notice 2014-79, posted today on IRS.gov, also includes the basis reduction amounts for those choosing the business standard mileage rate, as well as the maximum standard automobile cost that may be used in comput-ing an allowance under a fixed and variable rate plan.

Network Center An-nounces New Hires & Certifications Technology solution provider

Business Briefs

NetWork Center, Inc. announc-es the addition of Help Desk Technician Corey Pederson, Digital Designer Mia Ness, and Help Desk Technician Bryce Venaas.

Corey Pederson graduated from NDSCS with an A.A.S. degree in Information Tech-nology Support. Prior to NetWork Center, Inc. he worked for United

Prairie Cooperative in New Town, ND. Peterson has 1.5 years of IT experience.

Mia Ness joined the Net-Work Center, Inc. team af-

ter working for SimplyMac. She graduated from MSUM with a B.S. degree in Graphic Communications. Ness has over 5 years of profes-sional experience

in web design, print design, video, and photography.

Bryce Venaas graduated with a B.S. degree in Business Process Integration Man-agement from Valley City State University. Prior to

NetWork Cen-ter, Inc. he worked for Volt Workforce So-lutions provid-ing SharePoint Online Support. Venaas has 2 years of IT ex-perience.

Certifications Achieved:

Mike Pagan achieved VM-ware Certified Advanced Pro-fessional-Data Center Design certification.

Brad Piekutowski achieved Administering Windows Server and Installing and Configuring Windows Server certification.

Mike Orcutt achieved CCNA Cisco Certified Network Asso-ciate certification.

Jeff Bolstad achieved Imple-menting an Advanced Server Infrastructure and Designing and Implementing a Server certification.

Dan Nachtigall achieved Net-work + certification.

Aaron Sundquist achieved Network + certification.

Gerald Urlaub achieved Cisco Sales Expert certification.

Cont. from page 9

The impact of your giving $10 or more is multiplied with match funding from Dakota Medical Foundation up to $4,000.

Your support is essential on this one day 24-hour online event to Prairie Harvest Mental Health 930 North 3rd Street, Grand Forks, ND 58203.

You’re invited to change lives of adults with serious mental illness by simply going to impactgiveback.org to give $10 or more on February 12, 2015. (701)795-9143

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Page 14: January 2015 The Voice Newsletter

Chamber News

It’s Time to Update!The Chamber’s 2015 Community Profile/Membership Directory will be released early next year. Please take a moment to check that all of your information is still current. All member listings can be seen by clicking the online Directory tab at the top of our website home page, www.gochamber.org.

Please contact Emberly if there are changes at 701-772-7271 or [email protected]

The Deadline to Make Changes for the 2015 Profile/Directory is Friday, January 9th!

All Chamber Members will be listed in the back of the 2015 book by category with full con-tact information. You Can Make Your Directory Listing Stand Out! Choose BOLD print for $40, or even better, have your listing printed in RED for only $60.

In addition to a meeting with the Governor, the group also plans to meet with several department secretaries and host a social event for local legislators and legislative leadership on the night of the 5th. Plan now to attend. More details will be in the Febru-ary newsletter.

NV360 Community Visioning UpdateLast month the Governor released his 2015-16 proposed budget. Included in the budget were several items Grand Forks Lead-ers have been advocating for over the past year.

$100,000,000 in grants and loans for a new Water Treatment Plant Partial funding for the Red River Valley Water Supply Project

14

$60,000,000 for the second half of the Medical School

$16,000,000 for apron replace-ment at the airport

$5,000,000 for Grand Sky Devel-opment infrastructure, data cen-ter or sensor test ranges depen-dent on private sector investment in the park.

$3,000,000 for the ND UAS Air-space Integration Test Site

$1,200,000 for private UAS sec-tor development incentives

Throughout 2014 “Team Grand Forks” has hosted 4 interim committees to educate them on the many Grand Forks needs. Hopefully this work will pay off as the budget works its way through the Legislative process.

The Chamber will be involved in lobbying for all of these budget items. “While we did not get everything we asked for in the Governor’s budget we are off to a great start” according to Cham-ber President, Barry WIlfahrt.

Chamber Members who would like to spend a couple days at the Capitol learning more about the process and visiting with state leaders should plan to attend Grand Forks Day at the Legisla-ture.

Each year, in coordination with The Community Foundation of GF/EGF, The Chamber’s leader-ship program participants select finalists from among their peers to be chosen as the Mike Maiden-berg Emerging Leader.

The award came about through a fund set up by Grand Forks Her-ald employees to honor publisher Mike Maidenberg.

Once the finalists are chosen, they are given a topic to write an essay on. The recipient is chosen

2014 Mike Maidenberg Emerging Leader Award Recipient Announced

based on this essay and several other criteria. As is the case each year, it was a tough decision. All finalists possess great leadership qualities.

The recipient of the 2014 Mike Maidenberg Emerging Leader Award was announced at the graduation. Congratulation to Larissa Campbell with Retrax Holdings, LLC on receiving this award.

Larissa will select a non profit of her choice to receive the funds for future leader-ship training for their staff.

Page 15: January 2015 The Voice Newsletter

Aipperspach, LukeTrue North Equip.

Boespflug, TiffanyGrand Forks Public Health Dept.

Bryant, DanChoice Financial Group

Berg, Sam Choice Financial Group

Azure, DougGF City Sanitation Dept.

Anderson, ShaneHugo’s Family Marketplace

Campbell, LarissaRetrax Holdings, LLC

Godel, DeanGF City Utility Billing

Grasser, JordanAE2S

Fargo, JonRetrax Holdings, LLC

DiPasquale, TSgt. MattGFAFB 69th Recon-naissance Group

DeLeon, ChrisHugo’s Family Marketplace

Hill, IraCity of GF Public Works

Knudson, JimGrand Forks City Sanitation Dept.

Kuharenko, DavidCity of Grand Forks

Junk, CarolGF Public Library

Johnson, EricJLG Architects

Johnson, Lt. BrettGF Police Dept.

2014 Chamber Leadership Class

Thingelstad, KarenMinnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.

Rood, LinseyCity of GF Public Works

Sondreal, BobbiAlerus Financial

Stark, KodyTrue North Equip.

Studney, JanelleUND School of Med. & Health Sciences

Rentz, Jon Alerus Financial

Maki, JulieSigma Defense Systems, Inc.

Olson, KariDrees, Riskey & Vallager, Ltd.

Ourandnik, KristineEAPC Architects Engineers

Pearce, JessBeMobile, Inc.

Pauly, BrettWells Fargo Bank

Petrick, Lori ND Div. of Voc. Rehabilitation

Noland, JeanNDSU Extension Service-GF County

Morse, David Wounded Warriors Guide Service

Merck, LeonHugo’s Family Marketplace

McConnell, MaryPrarie Harvest Mental Health

Mugan, Kimberly

Todd, CateNewport Group

Winges, KristenHugo’s Family Marketplace

Van Camp, ScottHugo’s Family Mar-ketplace

Ventzke, KristiThe Village Family Service Center

Vonasek, ToniGF Public Library

Wallace, BrandonUND Memorial Union

Young, TrishUniversity of North Dakota

Zielike, A.J.Alerus Financial

Klawon, GwenLeadership Class Facilitator

Moebakken, Michelle Community Options

Congratulations to the 2014 Chamber Leadership group who graduated from the program in early De-cember. A record 44 business people took the 8 ses-sion course which started in September. The leader-ship program began 29 years ago. Since then, over 1000 business professionals have graduated. The program is designed to give participants the oppor-tunity to develop their leadership skills in areas of Team Building, Business Practices, Communications, Leadership and Community Awareness.

Chamber News

15

Chamber Leadership Program Graduates 44 ParticipantsWhile adding to their set of business skills, the par-ticipants also made valuable connections with each other that will benefit their personal and business life.

Watch for information on the next program that will be held in fall of 2015. Also, be on the look out for information on an Advanced Leadership One-Day Crash Course coming in the spring.

Page 16: January 2015 The Voice Newsletter

Aipperspach, LukeTrue North Equip.

Boespflug, TiffanyGrand Forks Public Health Dept.

Bryant, DanChoice Financial Group

Berg, Sam Choice Financial Group

Azure, DougGF City Sanitation Dept.

Anderson, ShaneHugo’s Family Marketplace

Campbell, LarissaRetrax Holdings, LLC

Godel, DeanGF City Utility Billing

Grasser, JordanAE2S

Fargo, JonRetrax Holdings, LLC

DiPasquale, TSgt. MattGFAFB 69th Recon-naissance Group

DeLeon, ChrisHugo’s Family Marketplace

Hill, IraCity of GF Public Works

Knudson, JimGrand Forks City Sanitation Dept.

Kuharenko, DavidCity of Grand Forks

Junk, CarolGF Public Library

Johnson, EricJLG Architects

Johnson, Lt. BrettGF Police Dept.

2014 Chamber Leadership Class

Thingelstad, KarenMinnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.

Rood, LinseyCity of GF Public Works

Sondreal, BobbiAlerus Financial

Stark, KodyTrue North Equip.

Studney, JanelleUND School of Med. & Health Sciences

Rentz, Jon Alerus Financial

Maki, JulieSigma Defense Systems, Inc.

Olson, KariDrees, Riskey & Vallager, Ltd.

Ourandnik, KristineEAPC Architects Engineers

Pearce, JessBeMobile, Inc.

Pauly, BrettWells Fargo Bank

Petrick, Lori ND Div. of Voc. Rehabilitation

Noland, JeanNDSU Extension Service-GF County

Morse, David Wounded Warriors Guide Service

Merck, LeonHugo’s Family Marketplace

McConnell, MaryPrarie Harvest Mental Health

Mugan, Kimberly

Todd, CateNewport Group

Winges, KristenHugo’s Family Marketplace

Van Camp, ScottHugo’s Family Mar-ketplace

Ventzke, KristiThe Village Family Service Center

Vonasek, ToniGF Public Library

Wallace, BrandonUND Memorial Union

Young, TrishUniversity of North Dakota

Zielike, A.J.Alerus Financial

Klawon, GwenLeadership Class Facilitator

Moebakken, Michelle Community Options

16