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Official Publication of The Chamber - GF/EGF
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Official Publication of The Chamber - GF/EGFOfficial Publication of Grand Forks - East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce
THE
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
May 2013
Official Publication of The Chamber - GF/EGF
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2013
Chamber of Commerce Reaches 1000 Members
Your Chamber of Commerce for Grand Forks and East Grand Forks reached the milestone
membership total of 1,000 members today. With a group of volunteers having completed only
half of the 2013 Spring Membership Drive, we have already signed up more than 25 new
members and have reached a new all-time high for chamber members – 1,000 members.
Rivard’s Turf and Forage, Inc, recruited by volunteer Larissa Kadlec, was the 1000th member
signed up during the drive.
Chamber Board Chairman Jeff Wilson, Vilandre Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, called
this a “milestone kind of day for the Chamber. This is attributed to the many chamber
volunteers, committee members and the relevant programs the chamber is providing the
GF/EGF business community”.
According to Chamber President Barry Wilfahrt, Chamber membership has been on the rise in
recent years. “ Just 5 years ago we had a little over 800 members.” Barry attributed this growth
to the hard work of the Board of Directors, thousands of Chamber volunteers and his staff’s
hard work. According to Wilfahrt, he expects the chamber will continue to work hard to
provide relevant programs, networking opportunities, advocate for our communities and
continue to run the many quality programs people and businesses have come to expect from
The Chamber.
legislature has not been very receptive to a measure like this.
Pictured above is Chamber President, Barry Wilfahrt testifying in St. Paul in front of the Minnesota Senate Tax Committee in April on the importance of border cities legislation, greater Minnesota legislation and the need to improve Minnesota’s business climate in order to be more competitive with North Dakota.
NV360 Moves to Implementation PhaseOver the past three months, members of the NV360 team have been presented to service clubs, elected officials and almost any group willing to hear the community vision. Several existing groups have stepped up to take a lead role in many of the ideas put forward in the NV360 Community Vision which was a collaborative effort between The Chamber, Community Foundation and the Cities of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.
An NV Action Team is being formed to address some of the results from the community visioning plan that no group has stepped forward to lead. This group, which is open to anyone who wants to attend, will have its first meeting on May 28th at 11 a.m. in the Chamber office. The group will serve as a catalyst to ensure the results of the community visioning NV360 plan are implemented. They
2013 Legislative Session Updates North Dakota
The Chamber’s top priorities going into the session all look like they will be approved. With their passage, the 2013 session will likely be the most successful ever for Grand Forks and the North Dakota business climate. Special thanks to the Grand Forks delegation and their leadership in making this such a milestone session for Grand Forks and ND.
Corporate Tax Cut - The $100 Million cut is on track. Personal Income Tax Cut - The $250 Million cut is on track. Property Tax reduction - continuation of the property tax relief from the previous two biennium’s is still undecided – Chamber favors tax relief.New Medical School - Moderate proposal is almost a certainty of passing and the most expensive and best option for the state and UND is still very possible.Law School - New facility funding is on track BRIC - Base retention , EUL and Air Space initiative funding are all on track and will likely all be approved.
Minnesota
The Chamber continues to push pro-business climate legislation along with the MN Chamber of Commerce and Greater MN Coalition of Cities. Unfortunately, this may end up the most anti-business session in the history of MN, further widening the business climate gap between MN and our neighbor to the west, ND.
A minimum wage hike is most concerning to local EGF businesses that have to compete with their ND neighbors on prices. Another concern is the need to do some specific border cities equalizers to help businesses in cities like EGF stay competitive with ND. Unfortunately the MN
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 BoardColonel Christopher Mann - GFAFB
2 www.gochamber.org
Chamber News
Cont. on page 6
Forum News Service photo by Danielle Killey
Chamber News
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The 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.
Advantage Healthcare NetAmerica’s Best Value Inn
Ameriprise FinancialAT&T
Bonzer’sBorder States Trophy & AwardsCancer Center of North Dakota
Dakota Commercial & DevelopmentDays Inn
Don Williams RoofingDrees Farming AssociationDusterhoft Family Stores
East Grand InnGrand Forks Co. Farm Service Agency
Greg GerloffHappy Grass
Happy Host InnHealthy North Dakota WorksiteHealthy Weighs Nutrition Center
Hugo’s Wine & Spirits (EGF)Ideal Aerosmith, Inc.Insight Technologies
Jenny Craig Weight Loss CentreKing’s Walk Golf CourseLaFarge Dakota, Inc.
Marco, Inc.
Merle’s Steam Clean Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
Northern Bag and Box CompanyObermiller Nelson Engineering
Park UniversityPetcetera Animal Clinic
Quality InnReal Estate Management Service
Reliance TelephoneRoadKing Inn Columbia Mall
Robinson ExcavatingRoger Amundson, DDS
Sand Steel Buildings Co.Sanford Health
Scenic Sign CorpSharon Opdahl-State Farm Insurance
SmartSearchStructures, Inc.Super 8 MotelThe Exponent
TIAA CREF-Scott RocheTip Top Tux
Tire One Auto CenterUniversity of Mary
Wy’s Floral
Mission Statement
“The Chamber of Commerce creates an environment that encourages business
success while enhancing the quality of life in our region.”
Membership Renewals
www.gochamber.org4
Chamber News
Senator Heidi Heitkamp33 South 3rd St, Suite BGrand Forks, ND 58201(o) 701-775-9601(f) 701-746-1990www.heitkamp.senate.gov
Northlands Rescue MissionDavid Sena420 Division AvenueGrand Forks, ND 58201(o) 701-772-6600(f) 701-787-5603dave@jointhemission.orgwww.northlandsrescuemission.orgOur mission is to provide a place of hope where people can recover from homelessness, pain and addiction, re-storing their dignity and improving their lives.
Greenwood Online Services and Consulting LLCJoe GreenwoodPO Box 12121Grand Forks, ND 58201701-215-2553jgreenwood@greenwood-online.netwww.greenwood-online.netWe specializing in online production and marketing, cre-atively experimenting since 2002. We build websites and other such related online productions for small and medi-um-sized businesses as well as regular individuals who just need something done.
Welcome New Members!
Volunteers have put on their ‘dancing shoes’ to share the benefits of Chamber membership with area busi-nesses.
Since April 16th, nearly 30 businesses have joined, bringing The Chamber GF/EGF membership to 1,000 members!
In addition to the many membership benefits The Chamber offers, such as a FREE website/traffic catcher site, extra incentives are given to businesses that join during the drive. Additional benefits include: the $25 administrative fee is waived and their busi-ness is entered into a drawing for a chance to win several Chamber advertising opportunities!
Chamber Membership Drive Rockin’!If you know of a business that you would like our vol-unteers to visit with, give us a call at 772-7271. The drive runs from April 16th – May 7th. Rock’n Roll!
Coldwell Banker - Jodi DanzlJodi Danzl1165A Suite DGrand Forks, ND 58201(o) 701-772-8106(c) 218-779-3478(f) [email protected] Realtor since 2005, I have worked with First Time Home buyers, Local Businesses needing growth and expansion, Seasoned, and Rural buyers. EXPERIENCE is what mat-ters so call me today.
CHS Ag ServicesGary Halvorson202 N. WashingtonGrand Forks, ND 58203(o) 701-746-1911(f) [email protected] mission is to deliver the best products and services that farmers need to compete in these dynamic times.
Chamber News
It’s never too early to start planning for what will happen to your business when you’re gone. Is your business protected? Are
you prepared for an untimely circum-stance? This seminar will address the following points you should consider
for a smooth transition in the succession or sale of your business upon retire-
ment, sudden death or disability.• How to protect your business
from unwarranted taxes• How to protect & limit your
business from liabilities• How to transfer your business to the next generation
• How to prepare your business for sale• Documentations that many businesses overlook
Business and Estate PlanningFor Business Owners
Reservations not cancelled 3 business days prior to event will be billed.
Seating is limited. Sign up by April 16, 2013. Reservations can be made at 772-7271 or email [email protected] with the names of those attending.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 11:30am - 1:00pmThe Chamber - GF/EGF$20/Person (lunch provided)$30/Non-Member (lunch provided)
Presented by: David Evenson, Owner of Capital Resource Manage-ment, LLC
Rydell Auto Center 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 $2700 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 & wine, Great door prizes
& Progressive cash drawing is at $2700!
Hosted by
Rydell Auto Center
Thursday, May 16, 2013
4:45pm - 7:00pm
www.gochamber.org 6
Business Briefs
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4501 South Washington Street701.738.4300
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Cont. from page 2
will also work to provide the community with measurable updates on progress.
Feel free to contact the chamber if you would like to be included on the NV Action Team.
Chamber Annual Financial Review The Chamber’s annual Financial Review, con-ducted by Drees, Riskey & Vallager, Ltd., was positive once again. There were no findings and the chamber financial position remains very strong. According to Chamber Finance Chairman and Board Chairman-Elect, Chris Wolf, Alerus Financial, “The Chamber has made great financial progress over the past 5 years and is now in a very stable financial position.”
Retail Task Force to Attend RECON ConventionThe Chamber will once again participate in the annual RECON convention in Las Vegas, where over half of all retail space in America is leased each year. The Chamber’s focus will continue to be on women’s clothing stores.
Three years ago The Chamber teamed up with the CVB and Cities of GF and EGF to hire the Buxton Retail analytic firm. They concluded GF and EGF were seeing the majority of their retail leakage in the women’s clothing and restau-rant area. Buxton identified 51 potential stores as good matches for our community. Those companies were all sent information and many have had follow-up contacts with our com-munities. To date, 12 restaurants, 4 women’s clothing stores and Hobby Lobby have located here since the Buxton report was completed.
According to Chamber President Barry Wilfahrt “it is very important our local market continue to grow and offer customers more choices. We are way too close to Fargo and need to contin-ue to aggressively pursue new options to keep leakage to Fargo and other communities at a minimum.”
April Brown Bag Seminar
Membership Drive - Team 5 Star
GFK Airport Busi-ness After Hours
GFK Airport Business After Hours
GFK Airport Business After Hours
Membership Drive - Team Spectacular 6
Economic Forecast Lunch
Business Briefs
9 www.gochamber.org
AE2S Promotes Solc AE2S (Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc.) has promoted Jaroslav (Jarda) Solc to the newly-created role of Assistant Op-
erations Man-ager for the firm’s Grand Forks, ND headquarters. Solc will assist with the day-to-day operations of the office, includ-ing managing personnel, work-
load coordination, and client relations.
“Jarda has really impressed us with his ‘can-do’, ‘anything’s possible’ attitude,” said San-ford Case, PE, Operations Manager of the Grand Forks office. “He’s very eager to learn and take on additional responsibility. We’ve had great feedback on Jarda’s cli-ent service, as well as interac-
tions within the firm. As the Grand Forks office continues to grow and expand, Jarda will help us meet both client needs and the needs of internal team members.”
Solc joined AE2S in August 2011 as a Project Engineer. Since then, he has served as a Project Manager, observed several construction initia-tives, and prepared plans and specifications for various AE2S clients including the City of Grand Forks, the City of Cava-lier, and the City of Hillsboro.
Solc moved to Grand Forks from the Czech Republic at the age of six, and has lived in Grand Forks ever since. He at-tended the University of North Dakota where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.
Cont. on page 10
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.)
Kautzman Joins True North Equipment True North Equipment, a lo-cally owned and operated John Deere dealer group, is pleased to welcome Mr. Duane Kautzman to their team as the new Corporate
Sales Manager and Shareholder beginning April 15th. Kautzman will bring nearly 25 years of bank-ing and John Deere Company field experience to
True North Equipment.
Born and raised in Mandan, ND, Kautzman holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Management from Minnesota State Univer-sity Moorhead. He is highly respected within the industry for his visionary approach as well as his business and client relationship skills.
ing its Grand Forks office at a gradual pace since opening here in 1998, but the last two years have seen that trajec-tory take a sharp turn upward.
As a result, WSN has a new home in the Gate City Bank building on 24th Avenue South, just west of Columbia Road.
With the expansion, WSN Vice President Greg Boppre has been named to succeed Roger Helland as Grand Forks office manager. Boppre cur-rently manages WSN’s East Grand Forks office and he will continue in that role, oversee-ing operations at both loca-tions concurrently in order to coordinate what he calls a “total market approach” to the Greater Grand Forks region.
“As a multi-discipline firm, we can provide turnkey services for a whole range of project types-public or private-and we can draw from a deep well of expertise in any of our offices, east or west of the river,” Bop-pre explained.
Occupying portions of two floors in the three-story Gate City building, the new location will effectively double WSN’s Greater Grand Forks footprint, accommodating a staff that has also doubled in the past year through hiring and acqui-sitions.
WSN President and Grand Forks native Tim Moe noted that “Widseth Smith Nolting has been a presence in this region since our first office opened in Crookston in 1975. The area is obviously poised for long-term growth and this latest move positions us to better help our clients take advantage of the opportunities that are out there.”
Altru’s Outreach Therapy Welcomes Amy Elbert, PT Altru’s Outreach Therapy welcomes Amy Elbert, PT, to its department. She recently started providing services at Valley Elder Care in Grand
company in four communi-ties and lead from one cohe-sive central place. This new resource center helps us do that,” said Gorder.
True North Equipment’s new Resource Center will offer:
• A dedicated space for ag related businesses and True North Equipment customers to hold meetings and events.
• Technology and classrooms for advanced customer train-ing (such as GPS and equip-ment training for farmers and operators).
• Training areas and technol-ogy for advanced employee education (such as John Deere distance learning).
• Central office space where corporate staff can provide support to its four True North Equipment locations.
“This state-of-the-art facility will enhance the True North team’s ability to provide an exceptional and consistent customer experience no mat-ter which of our four location you visit,” said Kautzman.
The ground breaking ceremo-ny will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the construction site located three blocks south of the Alerus Center on 42nd Street.
The event is open to the pub-lic. Members of the media are also invited to attend.
For more information on the True North Equipment Re-source Center or the ground breaking ceremony contact:
John Oncken True North Equipment Vice President 701-746-4436
Changes for WSN A burgeoning workload and growing staff had Widseth Smith Nolting bursting at the seams in their South Wash-ington St. building. The ar-chitecture, engineering, land surveying and environmental services firm had been grow-
“Kautzman’s key role as Cor-porate Sales Manager is a part of True North Equipment’s ongoing ‘Smart Growth’ strat-egy to fulfill our promise to build on our ‘Core’ strengths,” said John Oncken, True North Equipment Vice President. “His keen insight into the John Deere dealer organization is a valuable asset as True North Equipment moves into the future.”
True North Equipment Breaks Ground Local John Deere dealership True North Equipment will break ground Monday, May 6th on its new agricultural re-source center in Grand Forks.
Known as the True North Resource Center, the planned two-story 7,000 square foot office building will house the company’s corporate offices and several interactive training rooms open to area farmers.
“Farmers are continually searching for new information about their industry. This facil-ity will give them a singular place to go to find the answers they need to hopefully boost their bottom line,” said Dan Gorder, True North Equipment President.
According to Gorder, the new resource center will provide “a focused learning center approach that expands capa-bilities for customer and em-ployee training, meetings, and more.”
“Due to our stronger market presence locally and nation-ally, we reached a level where we needed to be seen as one
10www.gochamber.org
Business BriefsCont. from page 9
Cont. on page 11
Rendering by JLG Architects
This area for current advertiser, delete this statement prior to printing.
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Forks, ND. Amy graduated from the University of North Dakota, from where she holds a bach-elor’s degree in physical therapy (PT).
Altru’s Outreach Therapy pro-vides comprehensive rehabilita-tion services for children and adults from surrounding com-
munities throughout northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.
Bergstrom Electric Sold To Its Em-ployees Bergstrom Electric, Inc., a Grand Forks, North Dakota-based electrical contracting firm with offices in Fargo, Bismarck, and Devils Lake, ND, and Thief River Falls and Crookston, MN is proud to announce that effective March 15, 2013 the company has been sold to its employees. The employee purchase was accomplished through the structuring and organization of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (commonly known as an “ESOP”). Upon formation of the ESOP, former shareholders Al Bergstrom, Tim Berg-strom, Cliff Moen and Darrell Larson sold their interests in the Company to the ESOP.
“When the Board of Directors was develop-ing a succession plan for the company, we determined early on that the best method to ensure the continued success of the firm was to sell Bergstrom Electric to its dedi-cated and high quality employees,” explained Tim Bergstrom, the company’s CEO and a member of the Board of Directors. “It is their dedication and expertise that has made the company what it is today.”
Bergstrom Electric was established in 1964, first completing small electrical projects for residential buildings. Over the years it ex-panded its services to multi-million dollar commercial and industrial projects, as well as adding design-build capabilities. Berg-strom Electric is proud to be the largest elec-trical firm in the Grand Forks region, with more than 140 quality field personnel and skilled office support staff.
“In the future, all of Bergstrom Electric’s qualifying employees will participate in and be rewarded by the success and growth of the company through the ESOP,” said Tim Bergstrom. “It will be the foundation of the company’s succession and management transition planning.”
Cont. from page 10
Chamber Classified AdsThe Voice Newsletter is debuting a new feature....Classified ads. The Voice is a great Business to Business resource. Our classified ads sections are: HELP WANTED, FOR SALE, LOOKING TO BUY, MISC. For $20, you can place a 50 word classified ad.
HELP WANTEDPart Time Teller 1st Liberty Federal Credit UnionLocation: 3197 S. 17th St. Grand Forks, ND 58201 Shifts: Variable Monday - Friday Apply online or in personwww.1stLiberty.org Equal Opportunity Employer
To place a classified ad, email your ad to Lisa Swanson at [email protected]. Ads must be received by the 25th of each month to be included in the next month’s newsletter. Cost is $20, please limit ads to 50 words or less. Include:• The ad exactly as you want it to print• The category you’d like your ad to appear in• The month you’d like your ad to run• The billing name/address
Phone: 701-787-8583 or 701-795-9143
Find us on Facebook or www.prairieharvest.net
Highest restaurant in town provides friendly service and spectacular food with a great
view overlooking the river! Located on the 6th floor of the Grand Forks
County Building ~ 151 S. 4th St
