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

THEDecember 2014

Official Publication of The Chamber - GF/EGF

PO Box 315 East Grand Forks, MN 56721

(701)772-7271 (701)772-9238 Fax info@gochamber.org 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 info@gochamber.org

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 emberlyl@gochamber.org or 701-772-7271.

BRIC Meets at PentagonMembers of the Base Realign-ment Impact Committee (BRIC) traveled to the Pentagon in Wash-ington DC to meet Air Force Un-dersecretary Kathleen Ferguson. BRIC provided an update on the Enhanced Use Lease(EUL) UAS Tech Park project at GFAFB, op-portunities for the base and City/County to share services saving all three money and talk about new current and new mission op-portunities. The group also met with the ND Congressional Dele-gation about the future of GFAFB while in Washington DC.

Chamber President Barry Wilfahrt serves on the BRIC

BRIC Talk About UAS Opportunities With GovernorLast month BRIC Members, Barry Wilfahrt, The Chamber; John Schmesek, County Commissioner ; Bruce Gjovig, Center For Inno-vation along with the Grand Sky Developer Tom Swoyer met with the Governor, his chief of staff, chief policy analyst, the Lt Gov-ernor, and the Commissioner of Commerce. The group thanked the Governor for his past support and updated them on progress at the Grand Sky Tech Park.

Specifically the group requested the Governor consider base re-tention funding, additional infra-structure funding for the Grand Sky development, and funding for two specific proj-ects that would support fledgling UAS industry. Each would con-tribute to the long term viability of the base and the success the Grand Sky development.

Staff

Barry Wilfahrt President/CEO

barry@gochamber.org

Lisa Swanson Vice President of Operations

lisas@gochamber.org

Kimberly Strom Program/Event Director

kimberlys@gochamber.org

Carla Younce Finance Director

carlay@gochamber.org

Emberly Lietz Membership Director

emberlyl@gochamber.org

Connie Klefstad Administrative Assistant

info@gochamber.org

Audrey Lind Project Assistant

OfficersChair: Chris Wolf

Alerus Financial Chair-Elect: Kristi Magnuson Nelson

Hugo’s/Hugo’s Wine & Spirits Past Chair: Jeff Wilson

Vilandre Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

Secretary: Ron Galstad Galstad, Jensen, McCann PA

John Oncken - True North Equipment Craig Amiot - 5 Star Collision

Barry Wilfahrt The Chamber - GF/EGF

Directors

Dan Dahl - Dahl Funeral Home Amy Haagenson - Brady Martz & Assoc.

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

Dennis Riesenour - Altru Health System Brian Rydell - Rydell Auto Center Cheryl Swanson- Alerus Center

Klaus Thiessen - GF Regional EDC

Matt Walkowiak - Ground Round

Sr. Military Advisor to the Board

Colonel Paul E. Bauman - GFAFB

2 www.gochamber.org

Chamber News

Workforce Development Goals DiscussedThe Workforce development Com-mittee heard each of the 6 sub-committee’s goals and will meet again on December 11th to priori-tize them and develop the work-ing groups to carry them out.

All chamber members are in-vited to participate in the meet-ing. Just contact the Chamber to RSVP.

NV360 Community Visioning Update Report PlannedIn 2011-2012 The Chamber and the Community Foundation led an ambitious community vision-ing effort with more than 500 people personally involved and over 3,000 more offering input on line. The effort was based on the Knight Gallup research that iden-tified on what attaches people to where they live. You may recall social offering, openness and aesthetics were the three most important attachment factors.

In early 2015 several groups will convene to review what has been accomplished and what still needs to be done. An update will be published in the Herald next Spring.

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

Lithia Ford Lincoln & The Ground Round 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 $600 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 with drink tickets & cash bar• Great Door Prizes including 2 UND team signed items, an Astro Start car

starter from Lithia Ford Lincoln and a catering package from the Ground Round

• Progressive cash drawing is at $600! • Small gift for each attendee!

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Hosted by

Lithia Ford Lincoln &The Ground Round

At the Lithia Showroom, 2273 32nd Ave. S. Grand Forks

Chamber News

3 www.gochamber.org

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.

Advanced Eye CareAFLAC - Patty Hajostek

AgriData, Inc.Amundson Family Funeral Home

Ashley Furniture HomeStoreAurora Urgent Care

Bergstrom Electric, Inc.Budget RV

Capital Resource Management, LLCCenter for Psychiatric Care

Century Electric, Inc.Charles Bridgeford, DDS

Chiro RX Ltd.Community Violence Intervention Center

Curt KreunCustom Stripes, Inc.Dak-Minn Blood Bank

Dakota Mailing & Shipping Equipment, Inc.Dakota Valley Lumber

Deek’s PizzaDell-Comm, Inc.

Drummer’s Diesel, Inc.DuCon Energy

Dusterhoft Family StoresEast Grand Forks Dental CareFarmers National Company

Forks Lath & PlasterGames Galore

GF Motor Vehicle BranchGrand Forks Soil Conservation District

Grand Valley Animal HospitalGreater Grand Forks Community Theatre (Fire

Hall Theatre)Greenberg Realty - Donna Wolfe-Sholes

Greenberg Realty - Tammy HowardHalstad Telephone CompanyHappy Harry’s Bottle Shops

Happy Harry’s Bottle Shops (2)Home of EconomyIndigo Signworks

Continued on next page...

Chamber News

PROUDLYSERVING!

citizens-cu.comGrand Forks • East Grand Forks • Devils Lake • Northwood • Bisbee

Lakota • Larimore • Ft. Totten • St. John

A Better Way to Bank

With some of the Highest Deposit rates in the area, let your money work for you!

EARNMORE!

Membership RenewalsJames O’Connell, D.D.S.

Lisa’s Soy ScentsMayport Insurance & Realty, Inc.

Modern Auto Body, Inc.National Property Inspections - Tim BrownNew Horizon Chiropractic & Wellness Ctr

Newman Outdoor AdvertisingNorthland Custom Woodworking, Inc.

Northwestern Mutual Financial NetworkOpp Construction

Oxford RealtyPraxair Distribution, Inc.

PUCKS Commercial CleaningRed River Farm Network

Red 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 HalstensonTransystems

Unique Auto Body & Sales, Inc.United Valley Bank

Valley Truck Parts & ServiceValley Vision Clinic

Vigen Construction, Inc.Viscito Family Medicine

Zwireless

....Continued

5 www.gochamber.org

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.

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 info@gochamber.org

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 emberlyl@gochamber.org or 701-772-7271.

Chamber News

6 www.gochamber.org

Rodan + Fields Dermatologists – Emberly LietzEmberly LietzGrand Forks, ND 58203(P) 701-331-1010emberlyL@hotmail.comwww.emberlyL.myrandf.comAt Rodan + Fields® we are com-mitted to connecting you with the products, the knowledge, the resources and the opportunities to change your skin and to change your life.

Welcome New Members!Beauty From Inside, OutChassidy Strege2207 S. 20th StreetGrand Forks, ND 58201(P) 701-330-5612cnstrege@gmail.comwww.mkt.com/beauty-from-inside-outAt Beauty From Inside, Out we specialize in the following services: Healing Touch, Reiki, spa treat-ments and teaching makeup & skin care techniques. We offer custom personal care products and natural care products.

Mary Kay - Chassidy StregeChassidy Strege1610 Lewis BlvdGrand Forks, ND 58203(P) 701-330-5612cnstrege@marykay.comwww.marykay.com/cnstregeI offer personal or group consulta-tions and makeovers along with skin care, makeup and body care products.

Northern Plains FinancialLowell J. Schweigert527 DeMers AvenueGrand Forks, ND 58201(P) 701-314-1166(F) 701-314-1166lowell@1stallied.comwww.northernplainsfinancial.comNorthern Plains Financial provides investment services and financial planning for families and busi-nesses. Grow your nest and your egg with Northern Plains Financial. Contact us for an initial consulta-tion.

Comfort Keepers

Hugo’s Family Marketplace. S.Washington

Ambassador Ribbon Cuttings

ACME Tools Distribution Center

Farmer’s Appreciation BanquetAmbassador Committee Meeting at

Sam’s Club

Hot Springs Business After Hours

Hot Springs Business After Hours

Farmer’s Appreciation Banquet

State of the Base Breakfast

Hot Springs BAH

State of the Base Breakfast

November Brown Bag

State of the Base Breakfast

State of the Base Breakfast

Farmer’s Appreciation Banquet

Business Briefs

Alerus Financial Pro-motes Compton Alerus Financial is pleased to announce the promotion of Mike Compton to Market Manager – Relationship Man-agement.

In his new role as Market Manager – Relationship Man-agement, Compton will lead the sales activities of Alerus’ Grand Forks relationship manager team in working with all business lines includ-ing commercial and consumer

banking, trust and investment management, financial plan-ning, brokerage, and retirement plans. Comp-ton has over 30 years of banking experience with

Alerus and previously served as a Relationship Manager. He

is a past president and current board member of the Grand Forks Builders & Traders Asso-ciation, treasurer of the YMCA board of directors, and has served on a number of boards throughout the community over the years. Compton graduated from the University of North Dakota with a busi-ness administration degree.

Larson of Jolly Mon Va-cations Earns CTA Peter Larson, owner of Jolly Mon Vacations in Grand Forks,

has recently earned the Certi-fied Travel Associ-ate (CTA) desig-nation from The Travel Institute. This designation is earned by travel professionals who complete a rig-

orous certification program, demonstrate essential industry

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.)

knowledge, experience and maintain high standards of professionalism. He has since enrolled into the next higher level.

Pete Larson, CTA, has been a travel counselor for 5 years and specializes in resort and river cruise vacations. Lar-son said, “I help customers by finding the right vacation experience, at the best value. And I am proud to say, I do it without charging any fees. Offering professional and experienced assistance at no extra cost is what I do.” Jolly Mon Vacations caters to both local and international custom-ers and Larson is a member of NACTA, The National Associa-tion of Career Travel Agents.

9 www.gochamber.

Happy Harry’s To Offer Growler Station Happy Harry’s Bottle Shops will be the first retailer in the upper Midwest to debut in The Growler Station Express™ in November 2014. The pat-ented Pegas counter pressure growler filling technology used at The Growler Station Ex-press is designed to keep Craft Beer fresh for 30-45 days, allowing customers to enjoy their growlers at their leisure without feeling rushed to drink it within the 1-2 day time you need to when filled through the traditional regular tap method.

The first two locations will be at Happy Harry’s Bottle Shops in Grand Forks. Happy Harry’s Bottle Shops is eager to offer The Growler Station Express™ at their Fargo locations in the near future. While Happy Har-ry’s Bottle Shops currently of-fers a vast selection of bottled and canned beer, the addition of The Growler Station Ex-press™ will offer an additional variety of fresh draft beer for their customers to enjoy.

Happy Harry’s prides itself on providing one of the largest beer, wine and distilled spirits selection between Minneapolis and Seattle. The addition of the Growler Station Express growler filling stations will provide its customers with a better way to enjoy a more unique selection of craft beer.

“We are very excited to part-ner with Happy Harry’s Bottle Shops and expand our busi-ness into the upper Midwest with a great and prominent retailer,” said Tony Lane, Exec. VP and Co-Founder of The Growler Station, Inc.. “We know that with their expansive knowledge of craft beer and excellent customer service, their beer-loving customers will be very happy with the introduction of The Growler Station Express.”The Growler Station™ is a registered trademark in the United States, Canada, and The European Union

Business Briefs

Pegas™, CrafTap™, and NovoTap™ are international trademarks of NPM Group in Novosibirsk, Russia

EAPC Announces New Hires EAPC Architects Engineers is pleased to announce the hiring of five team members. Casey Hutton is a Project Man-

ager and brings over 10 years of experience to the EAPC team. Casey will work on various proj-ect sectors of the business including higher education.

He is an Associate Member of the American Institute of Architects and is a registered NCARB record holder.

Mike Weber is a Registered Architect with 15 years of pro-fessional experience including

education, mixed-use, financial, and industrial projects. Mike was previously employed as a project architect/project manager for an architec-

tural firm out of Fargo. Mike is from West Fargo and is based in the EAPC Fargo office where he will provide archi-tectural design for all sectors of the business.

A Bismarck native, Elise Derby joins EAPC as Interior Designer. Elise

will provide design services out of EAPC’s Fargo office and

focus on EAPC’s K-12 educa-tion projects.

Doug Foster is a Civil Engi-neering CAD Specialist located

in EAPC’s Minot office. He will provide civil sup-port to the Minot area as well as for all EAPC office locations. Doug graduated from the University of

Minnesota in May of 2013 and is an EIT.

Mostafa Abdelhares joins the EAPC Bismarck office as a Structural Designer. Mostafa previously worked for struc-

tural engineering firm from Glens Falls, NY, where he gained experi-ence analyzing and designing building struc-tures, including wind, snow load,

steel, wood, seismic and rein-forced concrete.

EAPC HR Director Rick Sand-wick said, “We are excited to continually add talented and

Cont. from page 9

Cont. on page 11

Home Place Thrift StoreHome Place Thrift StoreHome Place Thrift Store Call us at 701-795-9704 to pick up your donations!

(Available Monday, Tuesday or Thursday, schedule permitting)

1811 S. Washington, Grand Forks, ND www.prairieharvest.net

We accept furniture, clothing, books, electronics, appliances, and household items.

Recycle your 100% cotton used/stained/torn clothing or material to be used for work

contract for clients. Please call for pick up in Grand Forks area or drop off at store.

All Proceeds Benefit:

www.gochamber.org 10

Summer Performing Arts Company

Grand Forks Public Schools Summer Performing Arts Grand Forks, ND

Bergstrom Electric Recognized The ND Division of Vocational Rehabilitation recently pre-sented an award to Bergstrom Electric for hiring people with disabilities.

dynamic people to our firm, allowing us to provide the highest level of design ser-vice to our clients. We are 112 strong and growing.”

Highway 2 West Manu-facturers Luncheon Meet and share experiences with the business leaders of northern Minnesota and eastern North Dakota’s leading manufacturers. Learn more about solutions to today’s most pressing work force and business issues and how your business can benefit from par-ticipation in our association.

Please join us for the next meeting of the Highway Two West Manufacturers Asso-ciation in Grand Forks, ND on December 16th, tour Steffes Corporation manufacturing in Grand Forks. Hear from ND Lt. Governor Drew Wrigley dis-cussing the economic outlook in North Dakota as well as manufacturing business oppor-tunities in the Bakken. Rodger Pearson, former Steffes Cor-poration Division Manager, will present on the topic of “What is LEAN” and the benefits of the system. Tours of the Stef-fes Grand Forks plant will be provided at 1:30 pm immedi-ately after our meeting.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014 11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Hosted By: Steffes Corporation

Event Location: Hilton Garden Inn 4301 James Ray Drive Grand Forks, ND 58203

11-11:30 a.m.:Registration

11:30 a.m.: Welcome: Ted Stoa of Steffes Corporation

Lunch: $15

12:00 p.m.: H2WMA Update: Dave Goetz, President

12:10 p.m.: Guest Speaker: Lt. Governor Drew Wrigley~ ND Economic Outlook

12:40 p.m.: Guest Speaker:

Business Briefs

11 www.gochamber.org

Cont. from page 10

Rodger Pearson~ LEAN Man-agement & Manufacturing

1:15 p.m.: Adjourn: Ted Stoa

Contact Dee Krauter to RSVP by December 12th at 772-1545 or dkrauter@steffes.com.

Jacobs Updating 2015 Membership Directory Mike Jacobs has been hired to provide fresh copy for the annual Chamber Membership Directory.

According to Lisa Swanson, Chamber Vice President of Operations, “Jacobs is writing the new copy in a more story-like format highlighting GF/EGF. It will provide the same great community information people look for but with more of a creative flair.”

The Directory will also be in more of a magazine style making it more interesting for the reader. Look for it in March of 2015.

SPA Company Recog-nized The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humani-ties, and its cultural partners – the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endow-ment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services – are proud to recognize 50 outstanding programs all over the coun-try for their work in providing excellent arts and humani-ties learning opportunities to young people.

From big cities to small towns, the 2014 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award Finalists reflect the diversity of disciplines and settings of these exceptional programs that are taking place from coast to coast. Included in that recognition is:

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 emberlyL@gochamber.org

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.