Impact Magazine 2017

IMPACT The magazine for Fargo-Moorhead business and industry

2017

LIFE’S A BEACH AT THE LAKE FARGO’S STARTUP STRATEGY MUST-TRY FARGO FARE

CAN’T MISS F-M FUN

September 2017

Contents

cover story & hot topics 18

8 Things You Might Not Know

26

Fargo Fare Must-Try Dishes for Foodies

32

Cool Additions & Warm Welcomes

36

Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

46

Life’s a Beach in Lakes Country

56

All the Right Notes

65

Embracing Home Fargo-Moorhead Area Offers Styles For All

70

Can’t-Miss F-M Fun All Ages Talk Best Places

82 90

Wellness That Works F-M Health Care Responds to Increasing Needs

26

70

guest columns 8

q&a

Jim Gartin GFMEDC

44

Yadile “Yadi” Martinez

16

Kristi Huber United Way of Cass-Clay

52

Laetitia Mizero Hellerud

42

Joe Burgum Folkways

62

Drew Trafton

54

Dr. Jeff Schatz Fargo Public Schools

80

Ibtissem Belmihoub

96

Sandi Piatz Microsoft

Learning Educational Opportunities Increase Employability

To advertise in The Forum, call (701) 241-5431 4 IMPACT MAGAZINE

impact.areavoices.com

Editors Lisa Gulland-Nelson Kris Hauge Danielle Teigen Writers Tracy Briggs Alexandra Floersch Kris Hauge April Knutson John Lamb Gigi Wood Design Kayla Ronngren

Copy Editors Kris Hauge Alexandra Floersch Danielle Teigen Jay Ulku Photographers Alexandra Floersch Dave Olson Cody Rogness Dave Samson Michael Vosburg Dave Wallis

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GUEST COLUMN

Jim Gartin GFMEDC President

We Dare You Fargo-Moorhead is one of the fastest-growing areas in the United States, so I guess the word is getting out - this is a dynamic place to live. At the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corp., we help facilitate job creation. From an economic development standpoint, our companies need a robust and capable workforce to grow and expand. Much of the time, our biggest recruiting challenge is simply to get people to take a look.

Once they do, they’re hooked on Fargo-Moorhead.

So, what attracts people to Fargo-Moorhead?

JOBS We have a lot of great jobs – and we’re not just talking farming. We are home to the thirdlargest Microsoft campus in the U.S., John Deere Electronic Solutions, Case New Holland and Bobcat, along with many other tech industry leaders. We are home to a diverse sector of companies including agriculture, manufacturing, finance, health care and education. Our community has a growing entrepreneurial 8 IMPACT MAGAZINE

ecosystem, so if you have a startup in mind, there’s no shortage of resources to get you going in the right direction.

EDUCATION Fargo-Moorhead has three higher education institutions plus tech schools, and additional opportunities for professional development and continuing education. The institutions infuse close to 30,000 college students into the metro, creating a vibrant, energetic atmosphere. This lively college atmosphere generates plenty to keep you busy on the weekends with sporting teams that are worth watching. If you don’t believe me, ask the crew at ESPN’s GameDay who have been here three times to cover the North Dakota State Bison football team.

HOUSING From downtown lofts to quiet streets to farms, there are many attractive and affordable options to buy or rent. Build a new house or buy a character home in one of our older, established

neighborhoods. There is a house for every preference and every budget.

THINGS TO DO Many folks who move here say this is the perfect community. There is plenty to do that rivals the options of bigger cities, like sporting events and the arts, but we’ve kept the small-town, community feel. And traffic? That’s one thing we don’t have too much of here. We don’t have long commutes, either – you can get anywhere in 15-20 minutes.

THE LAKES Our proximity to Minnesota lakes country is another benefit worth mentioning. Lakes country begins about 40 minutes outside of Fargo-Moorhead and it doesn’t end there.

Take your pick from hundreds of freshwater lakes for fishing, swimming, skiing or just relaxing by a campfire. It also means FargoMoorhead restaurants have shorter waits during summertime Saturday nights.

FOOD There are numerous food options in FargoMoorhead. No matter what your tastes – fast food, ethnic or fine dining – you’ll find a tasty option (or three).

So, beyond the great jobs, affordable homes, friendly people and many activities FargoMoorhead has to offer, you also might want to consider increased safety, top-rated K-12 education, state-of-the-art health care and a growing economy. There is opportunity, support and community here. There’s more to do than hours in a day. There’s swimming in the summer and ice skating in the winter. You can get to Minneapolis or Winnipeg in about four hours, and the rest of the world via our international airport.

We are proud of our community, our heritage and the direction we’re headed. You’ll find a community that dares to dream, rolls up its sleeves and gets to work and helps its neighbors.

Move here. We dare you. You may never want to leave.

IMPACT MAGAZINE 9

Betcha didn’t know Fargo-Moorhead is...

Places to Live #1 Best in America

– Moving.com

10 IMPACT MAGAZINE

#3 Fastest Growing Cities – NerdWallet.com

Dare to

EXPLORE

Your TIME IS NOW!

151

26

Majors, Emphases and Options

Average Class Size

$12,134 Average Aid Package

118

16

Student Organizations

Learning Communities

91.3 % Success Rate*

At MSU Moorhead you’ll discover more about yourself than you ever could have imagined!

* Employed in related field/seeking additional degree

Get started on your MSUM adventure and sign up for a campus visit or October Preview Day mnstate.edu/visit | 218.477.2161 | 877.678.6463 Minnesota State University Moorhead is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

Betcha didn’t know Fargo-Moorhead is...

#3

Best Place to Raise a Family – Children’s Health Magazine

12 IMPACT MAGAZINE

#4

Overall Among Mid-Sized Metros

– Area Development Leading Locations

F-M METRO MAJOR EMPLOYERS

ECONOMIC PROFILE ECONOMIC PROFILE

F-M 2015 INCOME

Data represents the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses the counties of Clay in Minnesota and CassData in North Dakota. represents the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Statistical

F-M 2015 INCOME

which encompasses the counties of Clay in Minnesota MedianArea, household income and Cass in North Dakota.

$53,240 Median household income

$53,240 Average household income

$69,841 Average household income

$69,841

Average family income

$97,580

Average family income

$97,580

Per capita income

Per capita income

$29,895

$29,895

HOUSEHOLD INCOME HOUSEHOLD INCOME 7.8%

7.8%

21.2% 21.2%

44.7% 44.7%

$0-24,999 $0-24,999 $25,000-49,999 $25,000-49,999 $50,000-149,999 $50,000-149,999

26.3% 26.3%

$150,000+ $150,000+

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, FMWF Chamber of Commerce and Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, FMWF Chamber of Commerce and Research 360 (GFMEDC) Research 360 (GFMEDC)

1.9% 1.9%

May 2017 F-M Unemployment rate

May 2017 F-M Unemployment rate

4.1% 4.1%

May 2017 US Unemployment rate

May 2017 US Unemployment rate

136,211

136,211

May 2017 US Unemployment rate

May 2017 US $47,944 Unemployment rate

$47,944

2016 Average Annual Wage

2016 Average Annual Wage

F-M EDUCATION

F-M EDUCATION Number

Percent

6,823 Percent 4.1% < Grade 9 Number 8,705 5.2% Grades 9-12 6,823 4.1% < Grade 9 32,818 19.7% High school 8,705 5.2% Grades 9-12 33,268 20% Some college 32,818 19.7% High school 19,688 11.8% Associate degree 20% SomeBachelor’s college degree33,268 36,176 21.7% 29,041 11.8% 17.4% Associate degree Graduate degree 19,688

Bachelor’s degree Graduate degree 14 IMPACT MAGAZINE

36,176 29,041

21.7% 17.4%

These are the top 50 metro-area employers who are members of the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce, and their number of full-time equivalents as of December 2016.

F-M METRO MAJOR EMPLOYERS

These are the top 50 metro-area employers who are members of the Fargo Business Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce, and their number of full-time 1. Sanford Health equivalents as of December 2016.

2. North Dakota State University Business FTEs 3. Sanford Essentia Health 1.

Health 8,800 2.

Dakota State University 4,067 4. North Fargo Public School District No. 1 3.

Health 5. Essentia West Fargo Public School District No. 62,540 4.

Public School District No. 1 1,816 6. Fargo Fargo VA Healthcare Systems 5. West Fargo Public School District No. 6 1,657 7. Microsoft 6. Fargo VA Healthcare Systems 1,114 8. Noridian Healthcare Solutions 7. Microsoft 1,000 9. U.S. Bank - Service Center 8. Noridian Healthcare Solutions 958 10.

City of Fargo 9. U.S. Bank - Service Center 955 11. City Moorhead 10. of Fargo Area Public Schools 948 12. Moorhead Hornbacher’s Foods 11.

Area Public Schools 925 13. Hornbacher’s Eventide Senior 12.

Foods Living Communities 809 13.

Living Communities 803 14. Eventide WanzekSenior Construction, Inc. 14.

Wanzek Construction, Inc. 15. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota 800 15.

Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota 787 16. Blue Minnesota State University Moorhead 16. Minnesota State University Moorhead 724 17. John Deere Electronic Solutions 17. John Deere Electronic Solutions 675 18. Discovery Benefits, Inc. 18. Discovery Benefits, Inc. 674 19. Concordia College 19. Concordia College 652 20. CNH CNH Industrial America, 20.

Industrial America, LLC LLC 600 21.

Swanson Health Products 21. Swanson Health Products 592 22. TrueNorth TrueNorth Steel 22.

Steel 591 23.

AllAll Sports, Inc. Inc. - Fargo 547 23. Scheels Scheels Sports, - Fargo 24.

544 24. Bell BellBank Bank 25.

Concordia Language Villages 540 25. Concordia Language Villages 26.

Integrity Windows and Doors 522 26. Integrity Windows and Doors 27. YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties 519 27. YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties 28. Bethany Retirement Living 505 28. Bethany Retirement Living 28. Fargo Park District 458 28. Fargo Park District 30. Clay County 450 30.

Clay County 31. Community Options 450 31. Cass Community 32.

County Options 431 32. American Cass County 33.

Crystal Sugar Company 419 34.

Offutt Company RDO Equipment Co. 400 33. R.D. American Crystal/ Sugar Company 35.

Wallwork, Inc. 390 34. R.D. Offutt Company / RDO Equipment Co. 36.

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. 388 35. Wallwork, Inc. 37. North Dakota State College of Science 369 36. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. 38. U.S. Postal Service 350 37. North Dakota State College of Science 39. Walmart 348 38. U.S. Postal Service 40. CCRI Inc. 331 39. Integreon Walmart 40.

330 40. Border CCRI States Inc. Electric 40.

328 40.

Integreon 43. Prairie St. John’s 328 40. Ulteig Border States Electric 44.

325 45.

320 43. FARGODOME Prairie St. John’s 45.

Bailly, LLP 318 44. Eide Ulteig 47.

ATOS 300 45. FARGODOME 48. Cardinal IG 272 45. Eide Bailly, LLP 49. The Forum of Fargo Moorhead 267 47. ATOS 50. Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota 265 48. Cardinal IG 49. The Forum of Fargo Moorhead

FTE

8,80 4,06 2,54 1,81 1,65 1,11 1,00 95 95 94 92 80 80 80 78 72 67 67 65 60 59 59 54 54 54 52 51 50 45 45 45 43 41 40 39 38 36 35 34 33 33 32 32 32 32 31 30 27 26

GUEST COLUMN

Kristi Huber President, United Way of Cass-Clay

Generosity is the Strength of Our Community I love this community. Working in both for-profit and nonprofit throughout my career, I have seen the power and impact of philanthropy in a community.

The generous spirit of the Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo community is at the heart of what makes it an extraordinary place to grow up, do business, raise a family, build a life and even move back to.

In his book “Community: The Structure of Belonging,” Peter Block explains belonging to a community as twofold. We all belong as a component of our community, but also belong in our ownership and responsibility to develop, protect and grow it – to create our community. Generosity builds and creates a thriving and vibrant community for all of us.

The fingerprints of philanthropy in our community are all around us, but in the busyness of our personal and professional responsibilities, we may not appreciate how generosity impacts all of us. For one day I decided to be intentional in identifying the influence of philanthropy on our community.

I am humbled and inspired by what I found in my observations.

8:30 a.m. – I started the day with a photoshoot with the Scheels leadership team with a heap of backpacks for an article promoting our school supply drive. Scheels is an extraordinary philanthropic partner in each of the communities in which it is located across the country. Locally, it volunteers 16 IMPACT MAGAZINE

and generously gives hundreds of backpacks for our annual United Way School Supply Drive, allowing our community to rally around children whose families may not be able to afford school supplies, starting their school year confident and on the right foot.

Volunteers across the community combine forces to give our kids a chance. Businesses run drives, the Fargodome hosts and all three school districts work in tandem with social services and nonprofits to reach families in need. Together with more than 500 volunteers including parents, teachers, CEOs and kids organizing and donating supplies, our efforts helped 5,854 local students arrive at school ready to succeed last year.

10:30 a.m. – I walked into the new, state-of-the-art Sanford Health Medical Center and was overcome by the beautiful, peaceful spaces generously donated by local families who have heart for art and an understanding of its healing qualities. I imagined the joy and comfort their giving will bring and how hundreds of families experiencing a medical crisis will have a restful space to gather. I thought of the namesake of Sanford Health and how proud he must be to see his vision come to fruition.

11:30 a.m. – At the American Red Cross Dakotas Region “Century of Service” event, we celebrated this milestone and lifted up heroes who generously

give resources and time to help in the aftermath of devastating fires and community disasters. The spirit of giving placed a warm blanket around a person’s shoulders, supported military families during deployment and provided help and resources for a small town after a tornado left little in its wake.

2:30 p.m. – I greeted Anne Blackhurst, president of Minnesota State University Moorhead, and discussed her vision for higher education, our students, preparing young people to take on vital jobs and careers, and the generous alumni support that makes it all possible. Go Dragons!

3:30 p.m. – As I passed my alma mater Concordia College on the way back, I noticed the modern, new science building and imagined future nurses, doctors and physicists experiencing this innovative facility, being inspired to discover cures and interventions.

Financial support from businesses and individuals made this vision a reality. Soli Deo Gloria!

4 p.m. – I greeted a group of United Way Emerging Leaders volunteers at the United Way office and watched the joy in their faces as they prepared to promote reading through our community-wide

literacy event, Share a Story. It was inspiring to see millennials in action.

6 p.m. – Sitting at The State of the Arts event, I was inspired by Dayna Del Val, executive director of the Arts Partnership, highlighting successes and the vision for community-wide arts goals as a vital part of what makes our community beautiful and interesting. You could feel her gratitude as she promoted the community engagement event ChalkFest at the Red River Zoo, thanking its corporate sponsor for making it possible to enjoy the creative imagination of all ages.

This was just one day. Every day in Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo could be filled with gratitude for the many more fingerprints of philanthropy in our community. We must choose to look for them. We must choose to recognize our own role and continue to pay it forward for future generations. Just one day showed how when the heart, time and resources of donors are connected, beauty, kindness and hope flourish and a greater community is created.

Generosity is our community’s strength, because it has the greatest capacity to advance us all.

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Things You Might

Not Know

I

BY TRACY BRIGGS

n the beginning of the 21st century, Fargo-Moorhead has earned acclaim for its steady population growth, highly trained workforce and outstanding quality of life. Nearly 150 years after its creation, the metro is home to more than 224,000 people. And FargoMoorheadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s past might surprise you.

EARLIEST EUROPEAN SETTLERS The Fargo-Moorhead region was part of the Sioux nation, and some of the first European settlers were Randolph and Catherine Probstfield. The couple established a family homestead in 1868 in what is now Oakport Township, Minn. The couple had 11 children and helped pave the way for other settlers looking for education and social activities in their new land. An elementary school in Moorhead bears their name.

RAILROADS AT THE HEART The F-M metro would probably not exist if the Northern Pacific Railroad had not selected it for the site where they would build a railroad bridge across the Red River. The bridge was completed in 1872 and the Great Northern Railway soon followed. By 1906, the Great Northern depot was built on Broadway in Fargo and today is home to a bicycle store (The Northern Pacific depot, built in 1898, is home to the Fargo Park District). By 1970, the two railroads would merge to become Burlington Northern Railroad.

18 IMPACT MAGAZINE

A SETBACK Fargo was experiencing rapid growth in the 1890s when the biggest fire in the history of the city was accidentally ignited on the afternoon of June 7, 1893 when someone threw out smoldering ashes from a restaurant on Front Street (now Main Avenue).

20 IMPACT MAGAZINE

Because most buildings in town were made of wood, the fire grew fast until it destroyed more than 140 residences and 219 businesses. After the devastating fire, city leaders required businesses in town to be built of brick.

(what is now Minnesota State University Moorhead).

His historic home on Eighth Street in Moorhead is now open to visitors.

Welcome Home “The Lights” at Sheyenne 32

A NEW STANDARD IN URBAN LIVING WEST FARGO

Sheyenne Plaza

New lifestyle districts coming to Sheyenne Street in West Fargo.

“The Lights” at Sheyenne 32 will feature a transformable plaza area that will host concerts, outdoor events, dining, shopping, and entertainment.

Other components include a parking garage, apartments, commercial spaces and more.

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MOORHEAD GROWTH Moorhead would not be what it is without Solomon G. Comstock – a successful businessman, lawyer and politician who donated six acres of valuable city property for the establishment of a teacher’s college

Sheyenne Plaza, known for luxurious two-story apartments, will be home to the most recent style of living featuring butcher block islands, polished concrete floors, balconies, a fitness room, underground parking and stunning views of the city.

745 31st Ave E #105 I West Fargo, ND 58078 701-866-1006 I epicmanagementfargo.com IMPACT MAGAZINE 21

NOW THAT’S A FARM!

A DILLY OF AN IDEA

The area surrounding Fargo-Moorhead was among the first in the nation to operate bonanza farms – huge acreages for wheat production. Visitors to the region can celebrate bonanza farming and other history at Bonanzaville, U.S.A., a top tourist destination in West Fargo.

The popular Dairy Queen treat, the Dilly Bar, originated at the Moorhead Dairy Queen in 1955, when “Dairy Queen Bob” Litherland and a couple of brothers who supplied ice cream mix to the store swirled ice cream on paper, stuck a stick in it and dipped it in chocolate.

GUESS WHO ONCE CALLED F-M HOME? Fargo-Moorhead was (or is) home to some pretty well-known celebrities. Singer Peggy Lee worked as a vocalist at WDAY-AM, â&#x20AC;&#x2122;50s teen idol Bobby Vee grew up here and Bob Dylan once worked as a

busboy at a restaurant on Main Avenue. Homerun hero Roger Maris grew up in Fargo and three-time Stanley Cup champion Matt Cullen of the Pittsburgh Penguins calls Moorhead home.

IMPACT MAGAZINE 23

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN One of the most iconic images in town (and one you’ll probably see anytime national media comes to town) is the Fargo Theatre sign. The theater was built in an old fruit store in 1925 and served the public as

a cinema and vaudeville theater. After decades of disrepair, the theater was restored in the 1980s to its former glory and is now Fargo’s hottest downtown venue for concerts and other live events.

Betcha didn’t know...

The iconic Fargo Theatre opened in 1926 and charged 25 cents for matinees.

24 IMPACT MAGAZINE

FARGO FARE

Must-Try Dishes for Foodies

BY A LEXANDRA FLOERSCH

appetizers Fried Cheesy Pickles The Toasted Frog 305 Broadway N., Fargo Alexandra Floersch / The Forum

K

nown for its Fried Cheesy Pickles, The Toasted Frog offers a hipster-approved, laid-back atmosphere complete with exposed brick interiors for an eclectic feel – tucked into downtown Fargo. The Fried Cheesy Pickles consist of crisp dill pickle spears wrapped in Havarti cheese and fried in wonton skins. The appetizer is crunchy on the outside, followed by warm, melting cheese on the inside and dipped in sriracha sauce for the perfect touch.

26 IMPACT MAGAZINE

For other mouth-watering appetizers, try: • Bavarian Pretzels at Wurst Bier Hall • Scotch Eggs at The Boiler Room • Bacon-Wrapped Chorizo-Stuffed Dates at Rustica Eatery and Tavern • Irish Egg Rolls at Three Lyons Pub

comfort food Chicken Waffle Sandwich The Boiler Room 210 Broadway N., Fargo

T

he Boiler Room brings casual dining underground - literally in an old boiler room. As the king of comfort food, the restaurant features Midwest favorites such as Beer Cheese Soup, Barbecue-Glazed Meatloaf, Chicken Pot Pie and Shepherd’s Pie. Another top pick is the Chicken Waffle Sandwich: country-fried chicken and spicy maple aioli sandwiched between two bacon cheddar waffles. Guests can choose between fresh fruit and three cheese-filled, deep-fried tater tots.

Lowden Zpecial

Alexandra Floersch / The Forum

For more Midwest favorites, try: • Shepherd’s Pie at The Blarney Stone Irish Pub • Knoephla Soup at Kroll’s Diner • Hot Turkey Sandwich at The Shack on Broadway

pizza

Zorbaz on the Lake 402 W. Lake Dr., Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Z

orbaz on the Lake is a prime spot for all of summer’s beautiful days in the lakes area. The Detroit Lakes location is less than an hour drive from Fargo and offers a beautiful view of Detroit Lake. Among many unique specialty ‘zza’ choices, the Lowden Zpecial is perhaps the most unique – topped with peanut butter, pepperoni, jalapenos and extra cheese. Though it may sound intimidating, the sweet, creamy peanut butter is balanced by the jalapenos, making the pizza more than palatable and unexpectedly delicious. The Detroit Lakes location is the only Zorbaz that doesn’t use pizza sauce on the pizza – solely peanut butter as the ‘zauce’. All other 10 locations do.

Alexandra Floersch / The Forum

For more tasty slices, try: • Kraud Pleaser at Sammy’s Pizza and Restaurant • Uffda Pizza at Ole and Lena’s Pizzeria • Create-Your-Own Pizza (with gluten-free options) at Uncle Maddio’s Pizza IMPACT MAGAZINE 27

entrees Original HoDo (Bison) Burger HoDo Restaurant and Lounge 101 Broadway N., Fargo

ttached to Hotel Donaldson, the HoDo Restaurant and Lounge provides both a relaxed atmosphere during a fine-dining experience. The lounge is known for the Original HoDo Burger – a bison burger topped with Wisconsin cheddar cheese, bibb lettuce, fresh tomato, grilled onion, pickles and their “city bun” with creamy garlic aioli sauce.

For more Midwest favorites, try: • Rotisserie Chicken at Spitfire Bar and Grill • Smoked Brisket BBQ Sandwich at Silver Dollar Bar and Flying Pig Grill • Bacon and BBQ Bison Meatloaf at Mezzaluna • Beer-Battered Walleye at Usher’s House

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Alexandra Floersch / The Forum

asian-inspired picks Dakota Roll Wasabi Sushi and Asian Grill 623 Northern Pacific Ave., Fargo

T

he Dakota Roll at Wasabi Sushi and Asian Grill consists of spicy ground tuna, avocado and crunchy tempura flakes rolled into a rice blanket and topped with spicy mayo, wasabi mayo, a little sriracha for flavor and red tobiko eggs for garnish. Co-located with The Drunken Noodle, guests can choose from a world of noodles from Thai and Italian to American and Vietnamese – all within steps of their sushi experience.

Alexandra Floersch / The Forum

For other savory dishes, try: • Vindaloo at Everest Tikka House • Chicken Tikka Masala at India Palace • Pad Thai at Thai Orchid Restaurant

ethnic options

“Big Mike” Taco Bros.

Food Truck 460 Roberts St. N., Fargo (Behind the Empire Tavern)

T

aco Bros. Food Truck has become increasingly popular each summer for its authentic Mexican-style food. Named after a customer and his special order, the “Big Mike” includes a 6-inch butter-fried flour tortilla topped with chicken or beef and incredibly fresh pico de gallo, lettuce, queso fresco and chipotle mayo. The food truck is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m and 6 to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday (and 1 to 3 a.m.

Friday and Saturday) during summer months and into fall.

Alexandra Floersch / The Forum

For other flavor-packed fare, try: • Molcajete at Mango’s Mexican and American Grill • Lamb Kabobs at Mediterranean Grill • Pork Belly “Agridulce” Taco at Vinyl Taco • Original Greek Gyro at Santa Lucia Restaurante and Pizzeria IMPACT MAGAZINE 29

dessert (or any donut)

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Sandy’s Donuts 300 Broadway N., Fargo; 301 Main Ave W., West Fargo

For information call: 1-800-742-0051 Farm origination merchant 1-866-414-5356

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Maple Bacon Long John

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Alexandra Floersch / The Forum

S

andy’s Donuts is a local icon when it comes to sweet rings. Playing into the bacon-on-everything trend, their Maple Bacon Long John is topped with maple frosting and about two pieces of crumbled bacon for a proteinpacked breakfast … or afternoon snack. Sandy’s Donuts also serves weekly soup and sandwich lunch specials (that come with a free donut). How can you go wrong with that?

For other decadent desserts, try: • Iced Sugar Cookie at Kerry’s Kitchen (Casselton, N.D.) • Homemade Gelato at Sweet Dreams Confections • Chippers at Carol Widman’s Candy Co. • Fresh Fruit Tart at Nichole’s Fine Pastry

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Cool Additions Warm Welcomes

O

BY APRIL KNUTSON

h ya, you betcha can’t complain about the community’s open, receptive and engaging atmosphere. Throughout the year, Fargo-Moorhead’s spirit overwhelms newcomers with its laid-back and inviting nature. Both longtime and recently transplanted residents welcome people through annual and impromptu gatherings, quickly incorporating others into Fargo-Moorhead’s rich tapestry.

Adi and Smita Garg, who moved to the area from Saskatoon, Canada, visit with Amanda McDonald, who moved from Shanghai, China, and Trisha McDonald who moved back to Fargo from Ireland. Dave Wallis / The Forum

Kayla Cote shows photos to Vi Mai during an FM Welcome Party. Dave Wallis / The Forum

Area individuals, institutions and businesses implement initiatives to attract and retain their most valuable resource: people. From extensive leadership development and competitive wages

to life-enhancing events and community-building initiatives, the metro is committed to welcoming those who live “north of normal.”

Betcha didn’t know Fargo-Moorhead is...

2017 Top 50 Best Cities for Entrepreneurs – Livability

2017 Top 100 Best Places to Live – Livability IMPACT MAGAZINE 33

“It’s just not about the town,” says Billi Jo Zielinski.

“It’s about the people in the community. We have a young, vibrant atmosphere that really engages people.”

Moorhead Economic Development Corporation.

This entertaining event attracts everyone, whether they have moved to the community six days or six years ago. Entire families, new Americans, young professionals and interns came together in May to Zielinski, president and CEO of North Dakota’s Make- celebrate their newfound home at Sanctuary Events A-Wish chapter, has lived in large metropolitan areas Center in downtown Fargo. both within the United States and abroad. In the early 2000s, she left the area after finishing college. “It’s so encouraging to see so many new people come to events such as the FM Welcome Party,” Zielinski had a change of heart and returned in 2012 to make the F-M area her permanent home with her Zielinski says. husband.

Along with eight other hosts, Zielinski shared her experience with other attendees. She recounted “We just saw that this community had so much to moving away from the Fargo-Moorhead area, only to offer our family,” she says. “There is so much that receive an extremely warm reception more than 10 has changed through the years; it has become a years later. “When we moved back to the area, even dynamic and caring community.” our former barista, Angelique from Atomic Coffee, was still active and welcoming in the community,” A ‘WELCOMED’ CELEBRATION Zielinski says.

Zielinski – along with numerous others in the community – attended the FM Welcome Party, The metro area’s no-frills, down-to-earth attitude a biannual event hosted by the Greater Fargo was apparent in the simple, yet delicious appetizers

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along with the evening’s unassuming, networking bingo. Special coloring sheets were available for families. A sampling of the area’s rich entertainment was delivered by the FM Symphony Orchestra Duo, the Straw Hat Players from Minnesota State University Moorhead and the Great Plains Harmony Quartet.

INTENTIONAL HOSPITALITY Others report experiencing the metro area’s intentional hospitality through organic and spontaneous gatherings. Erin Balerud, a supervisor at North Dakota State University’s library, moved to the area after earning a degree in Philadelphia.

“When I moved here, I was working from home and I didn’t know anyone,” she says. “So I was like, ‘Where do you meet people?’ ” After a quick online search, Balerud found the Post College Transplants (New to Fargo) meetup. The

group includes more than 400 members and is just one of the hundreds of groups on Meetup. com. Any member of the Post College Transplants group can post a gathering for others to join. Past events include pop culture trivia outings, kickball tournaments and movie nights. “People think of Fargo as a kind of homogenous place, but if you look for it, you can find people from all over with so many cool experiences,” Balerud says.

With a community like Fargo-Moorhead, it’s likely that you won’t be labeled a “newbie” for long. Check out some of these annual celebrations where there are plenty of people to meet: • Frostival in January • Fargo Film Festival in March • Streets Alive! Summer Events • Bonanzaville 4th of July Events • F-M Pride in August • Welcoming Week in September

Newcomers mingle and meet while having appetizers during an FM Welcome Party. Dave Wallis / The Forum

IMPACT MAGAZINE 35

Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

BY KRIS HAUGE

I

t’s easy to lose track of everything new in Fargo-Moorhead.

With a strong economy, a highly educated population and strong Midwestern work ethic, the metro is a mecca for startup companies and entrepreneurial activities.

Fargo’s 1 Million Cups events support new initiatives and startups while inspiring collaboration every Wednesday at The Stage at Island Park.

Photo courtesy of Emerging Prairie

Betcha didn’t know Fargo-Moorhead is...

Home to one of the largest 1 Million Cups meetings in the nation with the highest recorded participation of 350 attendees.

Our power is our people.

The people at Minnkota Power Cooperative don’t just deliver electricity – they bring a better quality of life to residents in eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.

For nearly 80 years, the dedication and ingenuity of Minnkota’s employees have been energizing homes, farms, schools and businesses. And the future is bright. New employees are needed to power our growing local economies and the technological advancements that are changing the way we view the world. Needless to say, when you work at Minnkota, you have an important job in an industry that will last.

Minnkota employs 400 people consisting of engineers, electrical line workers, power plant personnel, electricians, accountants and many other positions needed to manage our unique business. Corporate headquarters are located in Grand Forks, N.D. The primary source of electric generation is the Milton R. Young Station, a power plant located 35 miles northwest of Bismarck, N.D. If you’re looking for a rewarding career that offers great pay, benefits and advancement opportunities, we invite you to visit www.minnkota.com and click on the careers tab.

Young entrepreneurs can work and collaborate in the Prairie Den space in downtown Fargo. Photo courtesy of Emerging Prairie

But it isn’t all by chance. From efforts by organizations such as Emerging Prairie and Folkways, to support from the Bank of North Dakota, city and state government as well as new training programs developed by local universities, Fargo-Moorhead has deliberately created an ecosystem for entrepreneurs.

This strategy is well-defined and supported by the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation (GFMEDC) and its support of Emerging Prairie – an organization developed with a mission to connect and celebrate the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Fargo-Moorhead. Greg Tehven, executive director of Emerging Prairie, says the organization’s role is “to challenge the status quo through events and programs designed to convene leaders and progress ideas into action while infusing culture, building on bright spots and welcoming people from a variety of backgrounds.”

Emerging Prairie hosts a variety of events and initiatives designed to encourage entrepreneurs to connect with each other and foster environments conducive to collaboration. “Initiatives led by entrepreneurs have a higher likelihood of supporting

entrepreneurs because what they need most is interaction with other entrepreneurs,” Tehven says.

Recently, the Bank of North Dakota – the only state-owned bank in the country – and the North Dakota Department of Commerce announced plans to diversify the economic stability of the state by offering new and revamped guidelines for loans.

These loans allow businesses to get additional cash flow and better manage funding gaps, thereby creating greater opportunities to thrive.

Other investment groups such as Arthur Ventures and the 701 Angel Fund aim to not only fund startups and entrepreneurs, but also provide business resources. Those starting a business are offered expert insights and connections to launch their ideas through workshops and mentoring programs.

You don’t have to look far in the community to find established businesses that have benefited from the strategic support and opportunities provided in the Fargo-Moorhead community. Best of all, these experienced entrepreneurs are paying it forward, offering their expertise and mentorship to the next generation of startups.

Betcha didn’t know Fargo-Moorhead is...

#2 Best Small Places for Business and Careers 38 IMPACT MAGAZINE

– Forbes

To support local entrepreneurs, Fargo-Moorhead offers a toolkit of funding options, educational resources and events to encourage startups and fuel the entrepreneurial ecosystem. These resources include: STARTUP SUPPORT & FUNDING • Emerging Prairie • Bank of North Dakota business loans • GFM Economic Development Corp.

• North Dakota Department of Commerce • Arthur Ventures • 701 Angel Fund ECOSYSTEM EVENTS & GROUPS • 1 Million Cups • Startup Weekend • TEDxFargo • Prairie Den • Drone Focus • Tech Tailgate by Girl Develop It • FMWF Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneurs Academy

ENTREPRENEUR BUSINESS EDUCATION • SCORE • Small Business Administration • Co.Starters by Folkways • Innovate ND • Center for Technology and Business • NDSU Certificate in Entrepreneurship • MSUM Entrepreneurship Certification • Concordia College Offutt School’s Hamm Center for Entrepreneurship • NDSCS Business Pro Series • ND Small Business Development Centers

With all of these resources and more, Fargo-Moorhead continues to strategically grow and construct an ecosystem designed to support entrepreneurs and startups. With expert mentors, financial support and unique opportunities to connect and collaborate, any aspiring entrepreneur will find what they need to succeed in this community.

Shane Waslaski, CEO and president of Intelligent InSites, is one successful startup leader who mentors new entrepreneurs. Dave Olson / The Forum

Betcha didn’t know Fargo-Moorhead is...

#1

Best State for Women Entrepreneurs – Fundera.com

#1 Best Small College Town – USA Today

North Dakota has more golf courses per capita than any other state…tee it up!

North Dakota boasts the lowest overall crime rate and the lowest violent crime rate in the nation.

The Red River boasts more than 70 species of fish.

Fargo Moorhead is the “City of Parks” with: • 3,000 acres of park land • More than 60 playgrounds • 200 miles of trails • 8 pools

IMPACT MAGAZINE 41

GUEST COLUMN

Joe Burgum Community Builder, Folkways

Entrepreneurial Pioneers & Community Support The pioneers that came to Fargo in the late 1800s came because they saw potential. This new settlement on the edge of the prairie was harsh and unknown â&#x20AC;&#x201C; yet these settlers saw possibility and opportunity, like those who went on to build industries in our region with software, transportation and precision agriculture.

When these first farmers were putting down roots, they needed to work with others to survive. Without help from your neighbor, you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get the crop out of the field or the barn raised. This mentality has led to a supportive community within and across industries and has fostered a regional culture marked by mutual support.

So many of our local entrepreneurs can attribute their success to help received when they were getting started. Now, these same entrepreneurs are open to supporting those who are just getting started themselves. We see this support offered through programs like Co.Starters, a business development 42 IMPACT MAGAZINE

course that helps aspiring and established entrepreneurs. The class is led by business leaders and hosts guest speakers weekly who share their experiences and resources as successful entrepreneurs.

Today in Fargo, we have a bustling economy, a thriving downtown and 10 people a day moving here. Fargo-Moorhead is home to more than 30,000 students across three major institutions and countless other education programs. This injection of young individuals brings energy to the community.

When it comes to doing business in downtown, it sometimes feel more like a college campus than a business district. The chance that you will run into someone you are working with while walking down the street is high. Impromptu meetings in cafes and street corners are priceless, and move ideas forward faster than lengthy emails or phone tag.

When I was planning the first Red River Market, now a staple event on Saturdays, it was often faster to leave my office and walk down the street to meet with someone than wait for an email. My ability to do business in-person leads to new relationships and collaborations versus transactional conversations.

Fargoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inviting range of restaurants, cafes and venues sets the stage for planned and unplanned interactions. Not only does the downtown renaissance play a role in facilitating day-to-day business, its vibrant nightlife is a pillar to quality of life for young and old living and working in the metro. These locally-owned establishments also serve and attract those taking tech, healthcare and university jobs in the community.

At Folkways, we believe a compelling culture is what attracts people to a place, but the sense of belonging is what causes people to stay. This sense of belonging urges individuals to not wait for others to make our city better. Instead, they choose to make it

better themselves. For example, consider Ugly Food of the North, a group committed to sustainable food systems, creating a movement of planting little free gardens and front-yard planter boxes for passersby to take and enjoy. Or GroupThink, a team of individuals hosting monthly conversations on topics with guests representing diverse and sometimes opposing views and challenging topics. Both of these groups are working to improve Fargo and neither need permission to do so.

People know in a town like Fargo, real impact is possible - that you are only one conversation away from a collaborator who can help make an idea happen. That people are ready to collaborate and willing to invest in the future of our community.

Like the pioneers who first came to this valley, the people of this community today are here because they see the potential and know they can make a difference.

IMPACT MAGAZINE 43

The Fargo Life



Yadile “Yadi” Martinez A

n oncology nurse at Sanford Health, Yadi has a smile that rivals that of a lottery winner because that’s how she views where she’s from and where she is now. Originally from Cuba, Yadi’s family won a lottery to leave for the United States, where she grew up in Florida. With a passion for helping cancer patients, Yadi was excited to “win” a hospitalbased position in Fargo because competition for similar positions is fierce in Florida. Yadi and her husband may have moved in the middle of winter to downtown Fargo, but the colder temps don’t deter her appreciation of Fargo.

What surprised you the most about Fargo?

The people here are so welcoming. My coworkers treat me like family, and I never felt alone while my husband finished school and joined me in Fargo several months after I arrived.

What did you know about Fargo before moving here?

I had never heard of Fargo, so I looked online. Most people in Florida think people here still ride horses and carriages - the end of the world with no stores or malls. I had to bring my mom here to see there’s more here than Cape Coral, Florida.

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What’s your favorite discovery about Fargo?

The downtown restaurants are great, especially Insomnia Cookies and Spicy Pie. We like to just walk through downtown at night and listen to different musicians who play outside. I also love the movie theaters here - the seats are like sitting on a couch at home.

What’s the one thing you wish Fargo had?

What’s the funniest question you’ve had from friends and family about living in Fargo?

Chick-fil-A! Note: Yadi was excited to know Chick-fil-A is currently building a new restaurant in Fargo.

Everyone just asks me why I’m here!

What do you find weird about Fargo or the people?

What would you say to others considering a move to Fargo?

The accent is funny - how people say “bag” and “uff da!” I would also say the diversity isn’t what I expected. There are so many people from all over the world here - in Florida we have Latin diversity, but here there are people from Africa and all kinds of different places. I have a lot of coworkers from different cultures so we like to bring different food and share.

I’d love for everyone to come here - they’ll love it! The economy and pay are much better, and I’ve gotten opportunities from Sanford for more training and education. There are open doors to change and grow everywhere. I convinced a friend to come who’s going to be an LPN in the clinic because I think it’s the perfect place.

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Life’s a Beach

in Lakes Country The beach at Detroit Lakes is a happening spot all summer long, but especially during the community’s annual Fourth of July gala. Kelly Smith / The Forum

46 IMPACT MAGAZINE

P

BY JOHN LAMB

eople may think of the Fargo area as flat and dry, but because the community is built on the bed of the former glacial Lake Agassiz, bodies of water are a significant part of local life. Fargo and Moorhead were established as river towns, and the Red River is still a big part of area identity and culture.

Over the past two decades, much work has been done to embrace the Red River as a natural amenity. Paths on both sides of the waterway give walkers and bikers a look at floral and fauna. Bridges for pedestrians and pedalers give residents a place to cross from state to state and observe from above.

If you want to get up close with the Red, canoe and kayak rentals are available all summer at the Hjemkomst Landing in Moorhead. Tours are available to offer advice for novice oarsmen and women, giving insight to habitats and history along the estuary.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for a bigger body of water, head 45 miles east to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

There are more than 400 lakes in the area, but Big Detroit is the most popular regional spot for water recreation from swimming and fishing to waterskiing, tubing, scuba diving or just finding a spot on the sandy beach to sun yourself. Bring your own boat or get a rental to cruise around Big Detroit. Better yet, take in the Quake the Lake power boat races and boat show in August.

Want a leisurely day on the water? Head a few miles east and tube down the Otter Tail River.

Even when the lake freezes over, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still fun on the water in Detroit Lakes with Polar Fest, which features indoor and outdoor activities that include an ice fishing tournament and a brisk polar plunge.

While the lakes are the big draw, there is plenty to do away from the water. You can hit the links with seven golf courses throughout the area.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re more interested in birds than birdies, explore the Pine to Prairie International Birding Trail to spot some of the 275 species.

Another new trail has bikers beating a path to the lakes. The Detroit Mountain Recreation Area recently opened bike trails and features downhill stretches, a banked wall and different terrains and surfaces to ride and hike. The space is a hotspot in the winter with runs for skiers, snowboarders and even snow tubing.

IMPACT MAGAZINE 47

Maplelag Cross Country Ski Resort is located north of Detroit Lakes near Callaway, Minn. Forum file photo

Twenty miles north of Detroit Lakes, Maplelag is another popular year-round activity area. With more than 40 miles of trails, the location is a scenic draw for cross-country skiers in the winter and for cyclists in the summer.

The biggest country and camping event in the nation attracts about 50,000 fans every year to see the likes of Luke Bryan, Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, Kid Rock, Eric Church, Carrie Underwood and more.

Runners enjoy the Dick Beardsley Marathon in September to set a scenic race in the Detroit Lakes area.

Tourism is big business in the area, and Detroit Lakes is equipped to handle visitors by offering plenty of shopping and dining options. Tourists will want to get a wearable memento from Lakeshirts or find some northwoods decor at The Red Willow.

If you’re looking for a slower pace to take in nature, less than 20 miles north and east stands the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, home to gray wolves, trumpeter swans and the golden-winged warbler. Or head about 30 miles east to Smoky Hills State Forest and its 25.9 miles of hiking trails.

Detroit Lakes isn’t just for the active person. The biggest annual attraction is WE Fest in early August.

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Even when you’re not on the lake, you can keep an eye on the action while enjoying a hot meal or a cold beverage at Lakeside Tavern or The Fireside Restaurant. And no trip to the area is complete without a pizza or macho nacho from Zorbaz.

Whether you’re in the area to unwind or to get geared up for some outdoor recreation, the Detroit Lakes area has something for everyone.

Country singer Eric Church is one of many artists to take the stage at WE Fest held at Soo Pass Ranch south of Detroit Lakes.

Forum file photo

IMPACT MAGAZINE 49

CELEBRATE your BUSINESS!

If your business is celebrating a special event or achievement contact us to publish a special feature showcasing your business and employees to the community.

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Betcha didn’t know Fargo-Moorhead is...

#1

Best Place To Launch A Business In A Small Metro Area – CNN Money

#1

City for Finding a Job – US News & World Report

Top College Towns & #3 Cities below 250,000 – American Institute for Economic Research

At 3.2% North Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation.

We currently have more than 5,000 job openings – come join us!

North Dakota produces more honey than any other state… how sweet!

IMPACT MAGAZINE 51

The Fargo  Life Laetitia Mizero Hellerud L

aetitia is an enthusiastic resident of Fargo and claims it as her hometown even though she was born in Burundi and has lived in France, Rwanda and Burkina Faso. She even jokes that when people ask where she’s from her response is “I’m from Fargo” and when they ask about her accent, she jokes, “Oh, yes, I’m from SOUTH Fargo!” She and her children reached Fargo at a good time in 1998, where they found an anchor and a place to call home. You can read more about her love affair with Fargo in her book “Being at Home in the World.”

What surprised you the most about Fargo?

People take time for each other here and smile, look at you with friendliness. It’s a big community but feels small with how easy it is to make connections. Fargo has become much more diverse since our arrival and continues to attract people from all ethnic and lifestyle backgrounds.

What do you find weird about Fargo or the people?

The sense of community here is not common in individualistic cultures.

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What did you know about Fargo before moving here?

Not much really, but when we found out we were coming to Fargo, I became more curious about the Midwest and started researching North Dakota and Fargo. Some of my American colleagues in Burkina Faso were very apprehensive which wasn’t reassuring.

What’s the one thing you wish Fargo had?

Even more ethnic stores and places to hang out especially a nice Ethiopian restaurant. I miss large museums that bigger cities offer, but we are only a few hours away from Winnipeg and the Twin Cities.

What’s your favorite discovery about Fargo?

What’s the funniest question you’ve had from friends and family about living in Fargo?

The friendliness of the people and the sense of community that we found here. I also loved how we didn’t have long commutes and how safe most of the neighborhoods are. Mutual friends and connections are easy to find - like an extended family.

None of my friends understand why I chose to stay in Fargo. I told one friend she needs to visit and maybe she will experience even a tiny bit of how I feel about this place. I say with pride that I am from Fargo because it feels like a betrayal to call somewhere else home.

My preferences keep evolving as the metro keeps growing. One of my favorite places is the YMCA where I have built a community of really good friends. Others include different parks, the libraries, the farmer’s market, many ethnic restaurants and other trendy eateries and cafes. The Red River Coffee Company happens to be one of my favorite places to meet with people for fun or business.

My mother has visited and said it gives her peace to know we are truly part of the community. She saw people who were not worried to integrate and who were genuine and friendly.

I also enjoy hanging out with family and friends as well as participating in community events available throughout the year - many of which are free. The F-M Area Symphony concerts are my newest discovery, and I am always wowed by the talents we have locally.

Trollwood Performing Arts summer performances also never disappoint.

What would you say to others considering a move to Fargo?

This town is the best kept secret. I have options to live elsewhere, but I choose to stay here. I am proud to call Fargo my home; my children know it as home, I met my husband here, and I’ve had opportunities to reach professional milestones here. Fargo is a friend.

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IMPACT MAGAZINE 53

GUEST COLUMN

Dr. Jeffrey M. Schatz Superintendent, Fargo Public Schools

Regional Success Begins with Educational Foundation Education is a cornerstone of the Fargo-Moorhead metro area. With strong public and private preschool through college programs, community education, higher-level degree opportunities, it is evident this community strongly supports and has a high expectation of its educational systems.

That community support has created an economic resource of well-educated and creative individuals who are the valued employees, entrepreneurs and innovators of the future.

The Fargo-Moorhead area is unique in that it has a broad spectrum of K–12 academic offerings for the community. The educational system is strong in public education options with numerous school districts in a relatively small geographic area.

Further, there a many private, parochial school options for families to consider. This strong, overarching educational system and options for our community make this an amazing location to raise a family.

School districts in this area work together on curriculum development and program offerings to ensure all districts meet the 21st century academic 54 IMPACT MAGAZINE

and workforce needs. Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo and Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton have joined forces with the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation and the United Way of Cass-Clay to form the “Education That Works Initiative”. The initiative focuses on bringing teachers, administrators and professors together to plan and execute curriculum that meets the academic and future workforce needs.

In 2013, the Cass County Career and Technical Education Center (CCCTEC) was established to coordinate high school level career and technical education (CTE) programming accessed by Fargo, West Fargo, Northern Cass and Central Cass school districts. The CCCTEC provides students with access to a variety of CTE courses not otherwise possible for each district individually.

The CCCTEC efficiently delivers courses and training in multiple areas, such as aviation, healthcare, business management and engineering.

Regional businesses and administrators are used as classroom speakers, field trip locations and reallife career examples.

In K–12 education in the Fargo-Moorhead area, students have the luxury of a variety of class offerings, educational support programming and co-curricular learning opportunities. Teachers and staff focus on each student’s individual needs to ensure they grow academically each year. Formal education has turned its focus to the benefits of cross-discipline learning, incorporating science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM, or sometimes STEM) to better prepare our students for emerging workforce needs and innovative careers. In the classroom, 21st century learning now intentionally incorporates the skills of critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication as our students learn the mechanics of reading, writing and arithmetic.

When a student graduates from high school, they are “choice ready” for college/continued education, a career or military service, all of which are available to them right here in the greater FargoMoorhead area. Teachers and counselors help high

school students explore the options available to them through classes, career pathways, projectbased learning opportunities and more.

Not only are schools a place for students to learn and grow, they are also strong economic engines for our communities. Our K–12 schools and colleges are some of the largest employers in the area. They employ not only teachers, but employees in skilled trades or support roles. They also focus on the next generation of the community and workforce, preparing the youth to be the future citizens, homeowners, workforce, creators and innovators that will lead us through a globally connected 21st century world.

Education is a valuable commodity, and our region is fortunate to have such a strong educational backbone to offer its community. Fargo Public Schools is proud to be partners with our metro area districts as we work to together to “educate and empower all students to succeed.”

IMPACT MAGAZINE 55

Garth Brooks is one of many performers who have played to large crowds at the Fargodome.

Dave Wallis / The Forum

All the Right Notes W

BY JOHN LAMB

hile Fargo-Moorhead may be â&#x20AC;&#x153;fly-over countryâ&#x20AC;? to some, more and more stars are touching down here as the arts and culture scene has taken off throughout the last 20 years. Much of the buzz is generated by the Fargodome, which has been making noise not only as the home field for the champion North Dakota State University Bison football team, but also the largest indoor concert venue between Minneapolis and Seattle.

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The 25-year-old facility set an attendance record in 2016 with 593,489 visitors coming for events, including shows by AC/DC and four by Garth Brooks, each of which drew more than 19,000 people. Other big shows in 2016 featured Justin Bieber, Blake Shelton and James Taylor.

Over the last five years the Fargodome has also hosted Taylor Swift (twice), Paul McCartney, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Kid Rock, Pink, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Mötley Crüe, Lady Antebellum and more.

YOUR LIFE STORY

While the dome has held more than 27,000 for a concert (George Strait in 1997), it scales down to the Gate City Bank Theatre to host touring Broadway shows.

The upcoming season features stage versions of “Dirty Dancing,” “Elf: The Musical,” “Jersey Boys,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.”

While theater may be secondary at the Fargodome, it’s the heart of Bluestem Center for the Arts in south Moorhead. The outdoor amphitheater is home to the high school-aged Trollwood Performing Arts School and the mainstage musical every July.

The months before and after that, the amphitheater is used as a nearly 3,000-seat concert venue, hosting about a dozen shows from May into October. Built for sightlines and sound, Bluestem is a favorite for locals because of its intimate setting and scenic backdrop of the Red River. It made for a perfect night when legendary singer Tony Bennett performed there in May 2017.

Jacques Boucher*, Aynsley Gunnerson*, John* and Cyd Runsvold, Owners, Alex Rydell*

*Licensed Funeral Directors pictured with the “Pursuit of Excellence Eagle Award” Hanson-Runsvold has been inducted into the NFDA Hall of Excellence

“Have the Talk of a Lifetime ” SM

Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home has been serving families in the Fargo-Moorhead area for over 95 years.

In keeping with their long-standing commitment to the community, Hanson-Runsvold is proud to be a SM participant in Have the Talk of a Lifetime , a national effort to encourage families to have conversations about life and what matters most.

Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home is pleased to offer individuals and families in the Fargo-Moorhead SM community a brochure, Have the Talk of a Lifetime , that will help begin a conversation about life. Through meaningful memorialization, taking time to reflect on the unique life of a loved one and the impact they made in their lifetime, families and friends take an important step in the journey toward healing after death.

Learn more at hansonrunsvold.com Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home Trollwood Performing Arts School performs a mainstage musical each summer.

Forum file photo

215 S. 7th Street, Fargo, ND 58103 West Side of Island Park (701) 232-3222 • (800) 598-3223 hansonrunsvold.com 001609198r1

IMPACT MAGAZINE 57

John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls is one of the many performers to entertain concertgoers at the Bluestem Ampitheater stage in Moorhead. David Samson / The Forum

More than 28,000 music fans took in concerts at the Bluestem in 2016, seeing the likes of Nelly, Weird Al Yankovic, Brandi Carlile, 3 Doors Down, Wilco, Weezer and more.

The Fargo Theatre remains the most visible attraction in Fargo. Its marquee has become a symbol for the community and the theater’s ties to the Coen brothers’ movie “Fargo.” While the art deco auditorium has shifted away from its roots as a vaudeville hall, it welcomes a robust mix of touring musical acts and comedians. Over the past year, the hall has hosted singers Dwight Yoakam, Lyle Lovett, 58 IMPACT MAGAZINE

John Hiatt and Sturgill Simpson, as well as comics Louie Anderson, Brian Regan, David Cross and Tig Notaro. Come the holidays, it hosts a number of festivities, including the annual homecoming show for the vocal group The Blenders.

The landmark’s bread and butter is still the silver screen. In addition to showing a number of arthouse and classic movies, the site is home to the annual Fargo Film Festival each March, bringing in more than a hundred indie flicks and filmmakers from around the world.

The iconic Fargo Theatre marquee in downtown Fargo has become a symbol for the city. David Samson / The Forum

IMPACT MAGAZINE 59

The Plains Art Museum in downtown Fargo offers free admission to view its ever-changing exhibits featuring the work of national and local artist. Dave Wallis / The Forum

Downtown Fargo’s other big arts organization, the Plains Art Museum, is the largest such organization in North Dakota. Its five galleries focus on regional art and issues, and also makes room for touring national and international exhibits.

In July, the Plains and the Rourke Art Gallery + Museum in Moorhead went admission-free and the two creative spaces are teaming up for a number of joint ventures including dual shows on the works of the late American Indian painter, Fritz Scholder, born in nearby Breckenridge, Minn. Besides the two main visual art establishments, galleries such as Ecce, Gallery 4 and Revland Gallery give patrons a chance to support art by buying it. Patrons also enjoy partaking in the annual autumn Studio Crawl and the monthly Corks & Canvas art and wine walks. The annual Unglued: Craft Fest also gives creative types a two-day showcase of everything from handmade soaps and ties to handcrafted pens, prints and beard oil. The Unglued brick-and-mortar store is a year-round repository for some of the wares and a popular spot for emerging crafters to take a class or look for inspiration.

Heritage is important to the local arts scene. The Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra honored composer Peter Schickele by commissioning the Fargo-reared musician, also known as the comic character P.D.Q. Bach, for a piece during this year’s concert series.

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With two main productions each year, the FargoMoorhead Opera makes the most of its time on stage, introducing memorable updates to classic works. This past season, the troupe staged a steampunk version of “The Magic Flute” and a “Mad Men” look to “Pirates of Penzance.” Fargo-Moorhead Ballet adds another lively step to the area arts scene with two shows every season.

The beating heart of the local scene are the three liberal arts universities/colleges, which provide the artists of today in the form of teachers and students, and also gives the community other venues to experience creative expression.

The North Dakota State University, Minnesota State University Moorhead and Concordia College theater departments all teamed up earlier this year to bring in Tony Award-winning author and playwright Mary Zimmerman, with each school staging one of her works.

NDSU’s Challey School of Music presents symposiums that benefit students and the community. A recent choral symposium featured renowned composer and conductor Eric Whitacre.

At Concordia, the music department gears up for the annual Christmas Concert that brings the bands, orchestras and choirs together for a joyous show that is the highlight of the school’s calendar and also a yearly tradition for many music patrons.

The Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra offers enriching performances of orchestral and chamber music.

Dave Wallis / The Forum

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Benjamin Sung is the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony concertmaster and first-chair violinist. David Samson / The Forum

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The Fargo Life



Drew Trafton

D

rew is a well-known resident of Fargo-Moorhead as a news anchor with WDAY. When his wife received her dream job offer, this former Washington state and Montana resident wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but he quickly found a lot to love. His enjoyment and appreciation of the local area shows on his newscasts as well as in person as he talks about all the discoveries he has made with his wife and two year-old daughter about their new home.

What surprised you the most about Fargo?

The food! From the restaurants, micro-breweries, bakeries and farmer’s markets, there is a wide array of local treasures for virtually every cuisine. My wife had arrived first while I wrapped up things, and my first experience was Rhombus Guys pizza - that and Blackbird pizza, it isn’t even my favorite food, but it’s impressive.

I also really like BernBaums’ bagels, Sandy’s Donuts and Proof Distillery. I was blown away by the HoDo and Rustica. The variety and number of local owners is great. We also love the downtown area and the availability of fresh produce at farmer’s markets.

What did you know about Fargo before moving here?

Not much! I had driven through it a few times and the downtown area looked like fun. Other than that - just the normal stereotypes: cold, windy, flat, but with nice people that talk funny.

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What’s your favorite discovery about Fargo?

The park system. We love to go outside - hiking, disc golf or the playgrounds are weekly events. We enjoy the city and state parks, especially the trails at MB Johnson, Lindenwood and Gooseberry parks. Buffalo River State Park and Maplewood are hard to beat in spring, summer or fall. Disc golf is also a favorite activity. I’m really terrible, but I enjoy the varied scenery and diverse challenges at each course, but we typically go to Oak Grove or Woodlawn courses.

For date night, my wife and I frequently go to Proof Distillery. Our first time there, we went for a cocktail and ended up getting appetizers and dinner as well.

The food and drinks are amazing.

What’s the funniest question you’ve had from friends and family about living in Fargo?

Usually it’s a variation on the constant wind - “does it stop?” One time my mother-in-law couldn’t get out of her car because the wind kept blowing her door shut!

Before I left Billings, Montana, my fellow newscasters and the weatherman pulled up the long-term forecast for “bone-chilling cold.”

What would you say to others considering a move to Fargo?

The people really make this place. I’ve never lived in a community where people care so much for each other it’s beyond neighborly. It’s like an extremely extended family. Even as a reporter, people are friendly. Other places no one wants to be interviewed, but here they are willing and well-spoken.

Walking around, people smile and say hello, where in other places you aren’t even acknowledged. Also, the amount of fundraisers held to help people is surprising - or even people showing up to help clean up after a storm. I fully endorse it as a great place to start any phase of life. It’s a Goldilocks community - all the amenities of a big city with the comfort of a small town.

What’s the one thing you wish Fargo had?

If I won the mega-mega-million lottery, I’d want to bring an arena football team to Fargo. It’s the perfect market - indoors in a hockey-style space and fills the football season void in the spring and summer. Fargo was meant for the sport with a football crazy town and plenty of former college athletes.

What do you find weird about Fargo or the people?

This won’t make me anymore likeable for the fans of the green and gold*, but what’s with the “z” sound in bison? I grew up next to Yellowstone National Park, and I never heard it - we say “bison” not “bizon!” *Green and gold are the school colors of North Dakota State University with a bison mascot.

Betcha didn’t know Fargo-Moorhead is...

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The median household income is $54,590.

IMPACT MAGAZINE 63

The historic Roberts House is just one of many character homes on Eighth Street South in Fargo.

David Samson / The Forum

Embracing Home Fargo-Moorhead Area Offers Styles For All

A

BY TRACY BRIGGS

nyone who has driven a car or ridden a bike through the streets of Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo or Dilworth can tell you there is no such thing as a typical home or neighborhood here. Neighborhoods in the area range from old, quaint and quiet to modern and fast-paced with all the bells and whistles (and, of course, everything in between). Cookie-cutter houses need not apply.

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CHARACTER HOMES VS. NEW HOMES – FARGO/WEST FARGO Fargo is home to some of the most iconic, character homes in the state of North Dakota. Eighth Street South has been recognized for its historic architecture and still features 19th century street lamps. Kari Myhre says nearby Sixth, Seventh and Ninth Streets can be equally historic. “I’ve met a lot of people who love the history of this neighborhood,” Myhre says. “A lot of Fargo’s past is right here, and they want to be a part of it.”

Brenda Richert says recently the area has been attracting empty-nesters who are downsizing from larger homes in other parts of the city. “People in their late 40s or 50s want to be closer to downtown, but still have a home,” she says. “So they buy homes in this neighborhood and refurbish it – redo kitchens and bathrooms.”

South Fargo isn’t the only place in Fargo to find a home of character. Dan Hedrick says the Holes Addition from 12th Avenue to 17th Avenue North on the east side of 10th Street is a popular choice for people who like older homes in a quiet

neighborhood. He lives there himself. “It’s really a beautiful area,” he says. “There are mature elm trees providing a canopy over the road.”

Homes have a Tudor or English-cottage style and most were built between 1920 and 1939. Myhre says West Fargo has fewer character homes simply because of it’s history as a one-time bedroom community to Fargo – home to many people who worked in local factories. Because of that, West Fargo has a healthy inventory of smaller homes perfect for young families just starting out.

If you prefer newer homes over older ones, Fargo has many new developments that have popped up in the last few years. The Silver Pointe neighborhood and Crofton Coves offer homes in a fairly moderate price range of $250,000 to $350,000. Luxury developments with homes selling in excess of $350,000 include Rocking Horse Farm, Eagle Point, Cottage Wood and Crofton Coves in south Fargo and Edgewood Estates in north Fargo.

It’s not surprising that West Fargo – with its booming population growth over the last decade – would be

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home to several new housing developments. Brooks Harbor, Eaglewood and The Wilds offer moderatelypriced options, while River’s Bend, Shadowood and other parts of The Wilds offer luxury options in excess of $350,000.

CHARACTER HOMES VS. NEW HOMES – MOORHEAD AND EASTWARD If you’re looking for an older home in Moorhead, your best bet is the neighborhood north and east of Concordia College. Many of the two-story homes were built in the early 20th century and feature large sun porches. Some have fenced-in yards and trees lining the street out front.

Willy Jacobsen gives tours of the region to incoming faculty members at Concordia College and Minnesota State University Moorhead. “I have to tell them that we have faculty from two different universities competing for these homes that are within walking distance of both campuses, so these homes can sell fast,” she says.

Jacobsen points out that Moorhead has a wonderful neighborhood from about 12th Avenue to 20th Avenue South where homes are slightly newer than those around Concordia, but are still a good choice.

“Most of them are one-story ramblers with three bedrooms, hardwood floors – a nice neighborhood and a good first-time-homebuyer home,” she says.

Dilworth, just east of Moorhead, has several neighborhoods that feature small, comfortable homes. The neighborhood south of the railroad tracks has been given the nickname “Little Italy” because it was once home to many Italian immigrants who worked on the railroad in the earliest days of the city.

Fans of new homes on the Minnesota side of the Red River in Moorhead can choose the higher-end developments of Evergreen Meadows, Horizon Shores and Tessa Terrace where homes usually sell for $350,000 or more. The second phase of Horizon Shores, Johnson Farms and Stonemill Ponds offers buyers homes that sell for less than $350,000.

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The Rocking Horse Farm development offers higher-end homes in south Fargo. Mike Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor

The Tessa Terrace development in south Moorhead features large, modern homes and plenty of green space. Mike Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor

The historic Concordia neighborhood on Ninth Street South in Moorhead is popular with people looking for character homes and looking to live within walking distance of Concordia College and Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Mike Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor

If a buyer wants to live in the Dilworth-GlyndonFelton area, developers are offering luxury options in the Woodbridge and Summerwood developments.

The south side of Glyndon also offers homebuyers moderate to higher-end choices.

good high-quality options can be found across the area. “I can say the quality of the homes constructed here are superior to the rest of the country,” Richert says. “They have to be built for the extremes, so they last.”

Park Co. Realtors say it doesn’t really matter if would-be homebuyers prefer older or newer homes;

And that’s great news for anyone looking to call the Fargo-Moorhead area home.

IMPACT MAGAZINE 69

Can’t-Miss F-M Fun All Ages Talk Best Places

I

BY ALEXANDRA FLOE RSCH, KRIS HAUGE AND GIGI WOOD

f you’re new to the area, or just looking for recommendations on what to do and where to go, you usually ask around, right? If that person is like you – single, married, kids, no kids – or has similar interests, even better.

Here are some personal recommendations from people like you on what they like to see and do throughout the area.

TEEN TIPS Thirteen-year-old Jordan Jensen of Moorhead says there’s something for everyone in the FargoMoorhead area. “If there’s something you’re interested in, we most likely have it,” she says. “If you like sports, we have a lot of sports. If you’re hungry, there’s a lot of food places. If you want to see a movie, we have lots of theaters – and the Fargo Theatre is really cool.”

For everyday fun, Jensen is a fan of Sky Zone Trampoline Park. “It’s unique – there’s not really another place in town like it,” she says. “It’s basically

Children and adults can jump at Sky Zone in south Fargo.

Mike Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor

a room with a bunch of trampolines on the walls and there’s also dodgeball.” Thunder Road Family Fun Park is also a draw. “They have mini golf, go-karts, bumper cars, laser tag, arcade games, pizza and prizes,” she says.

The Fargo-Moorhead area is also known for annual events that attract locals and out-of-towners alike.

In the winter, Jensen looks forward to the Holiday Lights at Lindenwood Park in December. “You can turn on Christmas music, and you have all these lights and these really unique pictures,” she says.

For more kid-approved fun, visit: • Skate City • Moorhead Dairy Queen • MSUM Planetarium • Fargo Park District’s Waterama • Buffalo River State Park • Fargo Skate Park • Davies Recreational Pool • West Fargo Parks Scavenger Hunt

A Teddy Bear Parade with a barrel train kicks off the Midwest Kid Fest in Island Park. Mike Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor

YOUNG FAMILY ON THE GO Vanessa Hughes from Moorhead says she doesn’t think she and her husband, Mark, do much with their young kids, Svea (5) and Finn (2), but as she talks, this mom is on the go with regular outings throughout the Fargo-Moorhead area. “As I think about it, there are so many fun things to do – great for the age of kids we have,” she says.

While she enjoys cooking, Hughes says eating out is always fun because there are so many options.

“We want the kids to try new things, so sushi at Wasabi is a family favorite,” Hughes says. “Of course, it’s great for date night too.” Her other date night recommendations include local breweries like Junkyard, Fargo Brewing and Drekker along with local trivia nights for fun any night of the week.

A standard summertime outing involves the Red River Market for fresh produce to use in her own dishes – with an added bonus. “Everyone needs a nap after that adventure,” she laughs. Other favorites include the Red River Zoo, Greater Moorhead Days, the Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm and concerts at the Bluestem Amphitheater.

Walks in the many area parks and on river trails are also top picks, as well as the local libraries.

“Each library has different toys the kids love – plus the downtown library even has a cafe, so we can enjoy a whole afternoon there,” the busy mom says. Outdoor fun is also a must. “We have a crazy number of great outdoor pools – including a wading

Streets Alive! events encourage physical activities like biking, walking, rollerblading.

Dave Wallis / The Forum

pool right by our house that’s awesome!” Hughes says.

While Target is “my happy place every Saturday,” Hughes says, grinning, she also loves finding treasures for DIY projects at the many local antique malls, craft fairs and the annual Fargo Junk Market by Eco Chic Boutique. Her husband, Mark, on the other hand, goes to comic book night every Wednesday at Paradox Comic-N-Cards in downtown Fargo.

While the kids enjoy all activities, they are excited to participate in the annual Slug Run based on the popular children’s book “Peter the Slug and the Great Forest Race” by local author and family friend Peter Schultz.

Even with a full list of beloved spots, Hughes knows her family can find new activities to add to their calendar. “There’s still so many undiscovered things I haven’t done yet. Every year we find more and more great things to do,” she says.

For more fun for the whole family, visit: • Frostival • Bonanzaville Pioneer Village • Rheault Farm “Share a Story” event • Madison Pool and Splash Pond • Trout Fest • Streets Alive!

• Fargo Kiwanis Pancake Karnival • Gate City Bank Theatre at the Fargodome IMPACT MAGAZINE 71

LIVELY LADY Caryn Olson, a hometown girl who moved back to the area in 2009, knows a lot of places to go and things to do in the F-M area. An event leader in public relations for Scheels, Olson not only enjoys attending local events, this 34-year-old also plans many of them.

This sports fan loves fall in the F-M area when everyone is getting ready for football. “My Saturdays are reserved for the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Bison – the games are great, but the tailgating beforehand is awesome for networking as much as socializing,” she says.

Because Olson plans events for a living, she looks forward to many events both personally and professionally. “I have a soft spot for the Scheels Fargo Marathon. Even though it’s a long week for me, I love how our community supports all the different races, and the atmosphere inside the Fargodome on race day is electric!” she says.

Olson also recommends volunteering through organizations like the FMWF Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Cass Clay to connect, learn and have fun.

Pub in West Fargo. “You get to sample and buy items from local businesses while hanging out with friends and having a drink. It doesn’t get much better than that,” she says.

Cosmic Bingo in Harwood, N.D. – just north of Fargo – always makes for a great Friday night.

“Exploring all the events, festivals and restaurants in the surrounding communities are a lot of fun – and affordable,” Olson says.

As a new homeowner, Olson says spends a lot of time doing DIY projects in her house. Her hobby of taking old furniture and woodwork and making it into something new and unique has come in handy. “Eco Chic Boutique’s Junk Market twice a year, along with their unique programming and events, are great for us DIY-ers,” Olson says

For more great F-M options, check out: • TEDxFargo • Unglued Craft Fest at Plains Art Museum • Eco Chic Design Conference • Salsa Friday by Fargo Salsa and Dance Meetup • Corks & Canvas “Art and Wine Walk” • Scheels Women’s Handgun Demo Hanging out with friends while shopping and relaxing • Lot 2029, Kittsona and Proper boutiques • WE Fest Country Music Festival on the weekend is a highlight for this active single.

She particularly likes the Sip & Shop events at Blvd • Fargo Flea Market

Many in the community participate in tailgating before NDSU football games.

Forum file photo

Runners start and end in the Fargodome each year during the many events of the Fargo Marathon. Dave Wallis / The Forum

The Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo includes a dirt track at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds.

David Samson / The Forum

Fargo Billiards & Gastropub hosts sand volleyball leagues during the summer. Special to The Forum

Downtown Fargo alone is home to more than 60 restaurants. “It’s really important at my age that they all have specials at particular times of the week, which makes going out easily affordable,” Woodman says. “A lot of them have live music and their own brews.”

When he isn’t indulging in a savory meal, Woodman stays active. “Every single night of the week (during summer), there is a different beach volleyball or softball league,” he says. “You don’t have to be coordinated or an athlete to go and have a lot of fun there.”

For more F-M fun, visit: • Great Rides Bike Share and biking trails • Fargo Escape Room • Red River Valley Sportsmen’s Show • Proof Artisan Distillers • Red River Valley Speedway • Halberstadt’s & Broadway Shoe Co. • Moorhead Billiards • Disc golf courses at five area parks

In fact, F-M residents have several options for sports-related entertainment. The junior hockey team, the Fargo Force, draws large crowds to Scheels Arena. “Even if you’re not a hockey fan and don’t know anything about it, the Fargo Force games are really fun,” Woodman says.

NDSU football games are arguably even more popular. “In the Fargo area – even if you’re not a Bison fan – you have to look forward to the Bison football season,” he says. “Around here, expectations, attitudes and overall friendliness grows by about 10 to 20 points during the season.”

For an out-of-town getaway, Woodman says Detroit Lakes is perfect. “A trip to DL is less than an hour away and you can spend the whole day there,” he says. “If you’re new to the area, I don’t think you’d have any problem finding something to do. Look online, ask a couple of co-workers, or ask your friends.”

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MAN ON THE MOVE If given a free Friday night, Ben Woodman chooses to explore the F-M area with friends. “We love to find a place we haven’t eaten before and just go,” says the 24-year-old business manager. “I think people forget sometimes how fast this place is developing.”

IMPACT MAGAZINE 73

DUO DELIGHTS Longtime residents Andrea and Dom Gemelli were married a year ago and recently bought a house in Moorhead. The 30-somethings enjoy going to movies and concerts, getting outside, gardening, cooking and spending time with family and friends.

Andrea says one of her favorite parts about the F-M area is the increasing number of produce stands.

“All the markets and produce stands that have been popping up around town have been such a great addition,” she says. “Having the opportunity to purchase directly from a local farmer is a refreshing change of pace.”

One of the highlights of the year for the couple is the Downtown Fargo Street Fair, which takes place in mid-July. The annual fair brings hundreds of vendors selling arts, crafts and food for one of the area’s biggest events. “It’s always fun walking around, checking out the goods and bumping into people you haven’t seen in a while. The food never disappoints either,” Gemelli says.

There are several fun spots for dates in the area, including Thunder Road Family Fun Park, the Classic Movie Series at the Fargo Theatre and hitting pins at local bowling alleys. “Hitting up the batting cages and go-karts at Thunder Road, then heading inside to team up and take out some zombie mutants in

the arcade – it brings out that healthy, competitive spirit in us,” Gemelli says.

Downtown’s iconic movie venue, the Fargo Theatre, shows classic movies throughout the year for $5.

Recent screenings have included “Roman Holiday,” “Arsenic and Old Lace” and “Vertigo.” Before the movie starts, an organist will play tunes on the theater’s Mighty Wurlitzer organ that dates back to the building’s opening in 1926. The organ sits on a lift that raises and lowers the instrument on and off stage.

Before or after a fun activity, the Gemellis will eat out at one of F-M’s restaurants, including Luna, Rustica Eatery and Tavern and Usher’s House, which are among local favorites. The three eateries are known for their unique dishes, great service and decadent decor. “There are so many options for exceptional food around here, so it really comes down to atmosphere and service,” she says.

For more adventures for two, visit: • Holiday Lights Parade at Lindenwood Park • Bluestem Amphitheater entertainment • Happy Harry’s Ribfest • Art in the Rendezvous Park • Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre • Maple River Winery • Fargo Film Festival • Cross country ski trails

Many locals brave the cold waters to take part in the Polar Plunge at Frostival.

Dave Wallis / The Forum

The North Dakota Horse Park in north Fargo offers a more atypical entertainment option. Dave Wallis / The Forum

Hundreds of classic rides and car enthusiasts fill Sheyenne Street for every West Fest Cruise Night.

David Samson / The Forum

IMPACT MAGAZINE 75

PRIME PERSPECTIVE Lee Schwartz of Fargo admits he has a lot of experience with things to do throughout the area.

Having lived here his whole life, this late-40s native works for Jade Companies and is known as someone who likes to experience all the area has to offer. “I’ve experienced a lot of events from three views – as an event goer, from operating the venue and from organizing the event itself,” Schwartz says.

“My current favorite event is ‘Beer and Hymns’ on Sunday nights at Junkyard Brewing,” he says. “It’s unique and a nice way to relax before the week starts.” But Schwartz admits his favorite annual event has to be the Bernie’s Wine and Liquors Bacon & Beer Festival. “I love this event – everyone leaves feeling joyous!” he laughs.

For other weekend fun, Schwartz likes lakes country.

He recommends renting a kayak on Detroit Lake or heading south to Spanky’s Stone Hearth restaurant in Frazee, Minnesota, for fine dining with a lake view.

The “Trust Us” option on its menu gets you a unique dish from the chef – outside of allergies. “It’s a nice to change it up a little. Plus, I think they reward you for your risk,” says Schwartz.

Schwartz also talks about the Fargo Air Museum, which relates to his love of military air history. His eclectic entertainment preferences combine unusual offerings like horse racing at the North Dakota Horse Park with typical summertime activities like baseball and sand volleyball at Fargo Billiards & Gastropub.

“We also get these really great car shows with ‘Cars and Coffee’ and West Fargo Cruise Nights,” he says.

“One of the best places around is Bluestem Amphitheater. The concerts and Trollwood Performing Arts School plays in such a beautiful setting and atmosphere is an amazing asset,” Schwartz says. The area music scene is another draw.

“Our local bands aren’t the typical cover bands,” he says. “We get great original music from D Mills & The Thrills, Poitin and lots of others.”

For more unique experiences, take a look at: • Sons of Norway • Plains Art Museum classes • F-M Curling Club • Fargo Pinball club • Fargo Blues Festival • Golfing at five area courses • Fargo Food Truck Festival • Oktoberfest Running of the Wiener (Dogs)

Bluestem Amphitheater in Moorhead is home to many plays and concerts throughout the summer.

Dave Wallis / The Forum

Betcha didn’t know Fargo-Moorhead is...

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#8

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Fargo-Moorhead is called “the millennial magnet” with 54 percent of residents under the age of 32.

America’s Most Undervalued Tech Hub – Fortune The Fujita Scale that measures the intensity of tornadoes was developed from studying the 1957 Fargo tornado.

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The Fargo Life



Ibtissem Belmihoub A

Kabyle Berber from Algeria, North Africa, Ibtissem came to Fargo as a Fulbright scholar, getting her Ph.D. at North Dakota State University.

As a project coordinator for the World in FM, she works to show the diversity and cultures coming together throughout the Fargo-Moorhead community. Though soft-spoken, Ibtissem has a lot of things to say about her many positive experiences and the surprising smiles of everyone she meets.

What surprised you the most about Fargo?

It was welcoming, but it takes some time to get used to the cultural orientation - people smile at strangers here. I kept wondering why they were smiling at me - are you in my class, do I know you? I wasn’t used to people I didn’t know smiling and saying “hi.”

What did you know about Fargo before moving here?

My brother had visited here when picking an education program and recommended NDSU. Otherwise the U.S. ambassador just wanted to make sure I knew what I was getting into and warned me about how cold it was “up there.”

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What’s your favorite discovery about Fargo?

How tight-knit the community is and how many people know each other. It’s big enough so you would not expect people to be so close. The people here are very welcoming to diversity - very inclusive. I enjoy being a part of organizing inclusive events that drive progress to make life better for everyone.

I also appreciate all the things to do and being outdoors. I’ve gone tubing in Detroit Lakes, and I love Zorbaz and sitting by the water. Downtown Fargo is great with the Red River Market and places to hang out with friends.

What’s the one thing you wish Fargo had?

What’s the funniest question you’ve had from friends and family about living in Fargo?

A lake and better temperatures in the winter! The culture of winter here is good - hot drinks and food but I don’t like going outside in the cold.

They basically think it’s Canada and don’t know much about it. Their reference is to big U.S. cities, so Chicago is the closest thing they know.

What do you find weird about Fargo or the people?

What would you say to others considering a move to Fargo?

Sauerkraut - it’s good, but weird! So much of “Fargo Food” is actually ethnic food - usually when I go out to eat it’s fast food or a lot of the ethnic food restaurants.

It’s true that it’s cold, so be ready - but I love it! Fargo is community-oriented, safe and growing. The people here are friendly and nice - very tight-knit but there are opportunities to grow, learn and be a part of it.

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The new Sanford Medical Center opened in July and employs more than 1,500 people in the 1-million-square-foot facility. Cody Rogness / The Forum

Wellness That Works

F-M Health Care Responds to Increasing Needs

A

BY KRIS HAUGE

n important aspect for any thriving community is access to healthcare. With two major health care systems, one of the highest nationally rated VA Health Care Systems (HCS) and several independent and specialty medical clinics, the Fargo-Moorhead area is strongly committed to the physical and economic health of the community.

82 IMPACT MAGAZINE

Essentia Health, Sanford Health and the Fargo VA HCS all see health care and its economic role expanding to meet the growing population of the surrounding region. “The biggest need is keeping up with the growth of our region and the demand for primary and specialty services that comes along with it.” says Tim Sayler, chief operating officer at Essentia Health.

Likewise, Sanford Health sees the need to expand specialty care providers and treatment options for the region proven by their recently opened, stateof-the-art $494 million Medical Center. “Families no longer have to leave – the care they need is available here,” says Ellen Cooke, chief operating officer at Sanford Health.

ECONOMIC ENGINE The economic impact of health care in the region cannot be denied. With the expanding population driving the need for more locations and services, job opportunities are readily available in a variety of fields with these top regional employers.

Medical professionals from specialists and surgeons to nursing staff and technicians are all in high

demand. Sanford and Essentia Health as well as the Fargo VA are not only increasing primary care services, but a wider range of specialty care services as well.

Support staff keeps these health care systems running with skilled people in information and equipment technology, scheduling, coding, environmental and food services and many more.

Plus, staff often gain advancement opportunities and training such as Sanford’s scholarship opportunities for current staff members – no matter their current role – to obtain LPN training.

With more than 12,500 current full-time positions, all three health systems are recruiting additional employees to keep pace with population and service expansion. “While facilities and technology are important in the delivery of health services, our people will always be our most valued resource,” Sayler says.

CHANGING CARE Multi-million dollar investments in new and expanded facilities demonstrate the commitment to health in the growing metro and surrounding region.

The Fargo VA Medical Center is expanding primary care as well as a Community Living Center for live-in, respite care. Dave Wallis / The Forum

Spaces at the end of hallways feature wide views, soothing artwork and natural light at the new Sanford Medical Center.

David Samson / The Forum

Beyond the revolutionary surgical and interventional equipment of their new facility, Sanford’s Ellen Cooke explains how technology helps team members provide improved patient care. Nurses equipped with portable devices are alerted to patient call lights, addressing needs efficiently with fewer trips to reduce traffic and noise. Likewise, the Fargo VA has incorporated direct feedback technology into patient rooms so nurses can immediately follow up with residents for greater healing and a better experience.

Home away from home best describes one of the greatest changes happening at the Essentia and Sanford hospitals, and involves working with Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley with more than $5 million in planned facility expansion. Having hospitalized children is extremely stressful and expensive for families and the additional space keeps pace with the growing

The Fargo VA offers yoga for veterans and caregivers in the Healing Garden. Photo courtesy of the Fargo VA

number of children and families coming to the Fargo-Moorhead area for medical care.

At the Essentia Health hospital, a Ronald McDonald family room is being built for families as part of the renovations in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This room will allow them to stay close even while resting, showering or eating. A third house for the charity is also being built near the new Sanford Medical Center in south Fargo. As a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center, Sanford Health recognizes the importance of families having access to housing and meal assistance especially for unexpected or lengthy stays.

INCREASING CARE Expanded urgent and walk-in care needs are also being addressed as evidenced by Essentia Health’s purchase of several 7-Day Clinic locations. “We are actively looking for ways to meet the increasing

Essentia Health opened a new clinic in south Fargo to serve a growing area of the city. David Samson / The Forum

demand our patients have for primary care services – especially in the area of unscheduled, walk-in care,” says Peter Jacobson, who oversees primary care operations for Essentia.

With the expansion of services at its new 1-millionsquare-foot medical center to the southwest, Sanford Health is reallocating existing space with an urgent care clinic in the downtown Broadway facility to meet the changing needs of patients.

Adding clinic locations and remodeling existing facilities is also geared toward patient needs and expectations in the Fargo-Moorhead area. With a $3.75 million remodel and expansion, Sanford Health is growing its existing West Fargo clinic to include services such as patient community education and pediatrics. Likewise, Essentia Health’s new 21,000-square-foot south Fargo clinic provides primary care, pediatrics, diabetic education and lab services, along with expanded hours for walk-in care to meet the needs of busy, young families.

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IMPACT MAGAZINE 85

The Fargo VA Medical Center is also responding to growth with a new 19,000-square-foot primary care wing with a similarly sized Community Living Center addition for rehabilitation and skilled nursing services. Fargo VA Health Care Services is also increasing telehealth options, allowing veterans to be treated at their community-based VA clinics, and in some cases in the privacy of their own homes, greatly improving access to specialty care and mental health providers.

PATIENT DIRECTED With these expanded facilities also comes greater focus on patient care and the types of programs needed to promote better health and wellness. This expansion of care is increasing the need for new types of medical and support staff.

Beyond medical needs, the Fargo VA Medical Center offers programs designed to meet the specific needs of those who have served. From creative outlets to social events, veteran-created art showcases, aroma therapy and activities such as yoga and Tai Chi, the VA coordinates with area artists, writers, instructors and others to relieve stress and channel experiences into beneficial and therapeutic results.

“VA Health Care Systems often use the creative arts as a form of rehabilitative treatment to help veterans recover from and cope with physical and emotional

disabilities,” says Lavonne Liversage, Fargo VA Health Care System director.

Care teams are directed by a physician and include cross-functional teams to assist with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma so patients stay with lifestyle changes that are otherwise hard to maintain. “It’s helpful for patients to be accountable and feel that we care,” says Julie Dahl, Sanford RN and care team health coach. “We can kind of catch people that otherwise would have fallen off the wagon, so to speak.”

Essentia Health uses this care model for chronic conditions and for primary-care patients. “Teambased care truly is the future of care for all patients,” says Heidi Olson-Fitzgerald, a physician assistant at Essentia Health. “By working together in collaboration to provide access to care of patients in new and innovative ways, the care teams are able to provide great, quality health care in a cost-effective manner.”

With expansion expected to continue for Sanford, Essentia, the Fargo VA and many independent and specialty clinics throughout the region, the need for additional medical and support staff will remain strong. “As our community grows, we continue to build upon services to meet the needs of the population we serve,” Sayler says.

The lobby at the newest Essentia Clinic showcases home-like touches with natural light, a fireplace and abstract art.

David Samson / The Forum

Fargo VA registered dietitians help veterans determine groceries for individual meal plans.

Photo courtesy of the Fargo VA

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Essentia Health expanded its hospital to offer patients additional privacy and space along with increasing services to the region.

Nick Wagner / The Forum

Julie Dahl, left, a registered nurse and health coach, and Autumn Nelson, a family nurse practitioner with Sanford Health, show the team approach to better managing chronic illness. Dave Wallis / The Forum

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Educational Opportunities Increase Employability

90 IMPACT MAGAZINE

M

BY KRIS HAUGE

ahatma Gandhi and Henry Ford didn’t have much in common, but they both knew the value of being a lifelong learner. When you gain knowledge or experience, you become more productive. Greater productivity not only means a greater level of efficiency, you also become more valuable to not only your employer, but every other employer as well.

AVAILABILITY The knowledge within every industry doubles approximately every two or three years; however, with technology, the timeframe is much shorter.

So if you aren’t keeping up, you’re becoming obsolete. Scary, right? The good news is the availability of learning opportunities online, in the classroom and from local experts is growing just as fast – especially in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

From formal educational opportunities to informal meetups and interest groups, you’re sure to find like-minded individuals in the community.

The many startups and entrepreneurs combined

with multiple colleges and universities ensures a diversity of interests as well as a depth of interaction and knowledge to be gained.

The economic advantages of improving your mind are reason enough to pursue additional education, but the benefits to your overall health have also been widely documented. According to John Coleman in his article “Lifelong Learning is Good for Your Health, Your Wallet and Your Social Life” in Harvard Business Review, lifelong learners increase earnings, reduce their stress levels, neutralize cognitive decline, improve memory function and expand social engagement.

IMPACT MAGAZINE 91

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That’s great! But where do you start in the today’s vast educational market? Here are some ways to find what you need most regarding professional and personal development.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS • Get honest feedback from your manager and co-workers for improvement areas.

• Discuss opportunities with teammates.

• Review classes and speakers at local colleges.

• Research professional organizations for leadership and business training offerings.

PERSONAL GROWTH • Ask friends and family for ideas and feedback.

• Find opportunities that fit existing hobbies.

• Explore a new hobby or interest.

• Review local meetups, book clubs, hobby groups and outings.

Remember that the most important thing about choosing an educational opportunity is to find something that interests you – even if it’s outside your industry or personal comfort level. This will not only keep you engaged, but ensures you will gain the most benefit.

IMPACT MAGAZINE 93

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES Fargo-Moorhead is a community dedicated to formal education with a multitude of universities and colleges; however, there are many less formal opportunities to expand your mind as well. So expand your horizons and potentially gain some profits in addition to emotional and social benefits at the same time.

FORMAL • North Dakota State University • Minnesota State University Moorhead

SEMI-FORMAL • Dale Carnegie Training of North Dakota • TEDxFargo

• Concordia College

• Fargo Flight School

• University of Mary • University of Jamestown

• United Way of Cass Clay 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership

• North Dakota State College of Science

• FMWF Chamber of Commerce Business Training

• Rasmussen College

• FM Chamber Leadership Program • Moorhead Community Education

The United Way’s 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program offers 35 women professional and personal development opportunities. David Samson / The Forum

INFORMAL • GroupThink • FMWF Chamber of Commerce Women Connect • FMWF Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Network • Girl Develop It • Nerd Nite • Fargo 3D Printing Meetup • Fargo-Moorhead Content Strategy Meetup

ConcordiaCollege.edu

GUEST COLUMN

Sandi Piatz Site Leader, Microsoft

Technology Empowers Careers, Innovation, and Collaboration Residing along Interstate 29 on the south side of Fargo is Microsoft’s second largest field campus.

To some this comes as a surprise, but not to those who know the technology hub the Fargo-Moorhead region has become. Microsoft’s roots in the area date back to 1983 when North Dakota native and current North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum invested in a small company called Great Plains Software. He later became CEO and grew the company to 2,000 employees globally. Great Plains Software went public in 1997 and was then sold to Microsoft for $1.1 billion in 2001. This gave Microsoft its first office in Fargo. Today, Microsoft’s campus in Fargo is one of the top 15 employers in the region with about 1,700 team members.

Microsoft is just one of many software technology firms that has made its home in Fargo-Moorhead.

The access to talent from major universities, support from the Greater Fargo-Moorhead Economic Development Corporation and the state, as well as the local entrepreneurial spirit has fostered an incubator for technology companies in the region that offer career opportunities, innovation and collaboration.

There is an ethos of gratitude, customer service, hard work ethic, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in the Fargo-Moorhead area talent. Add in the great partnerships with the many universities in the region, and you find the quality of talent and strong collaboration that has allowed the technology industry and companies like Microsoft to prosper.

Even with the low unemployment rate in Fargo96 IMPACT MAGAZINE

Moorhead, Microsoft continues to find and recruit strong talent.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. It is with great talent that we can achieve this mission.

On the Fargo campus, Microsoft has experts in a variety of areas such as customer service and support, software engineering, sales, marketing and accounting resources. We are a global company, united by a single mission of working together to bring the best of Microsoft to our customers, which is made possible in part by our dedicated Fargo-based team.

At Microsoft, we value diverse differences and career growth opportunities. We believe career and professional development is a partnership between our team members and managers, which is reinforced by many different resources. Through career development plans, continuous career connects, coaching, training, tuition reimbursement programs, leadership development opportunities and many other means, our team members are empowered to grow their careers and professional development at Microsoft. While living in Fargo and working for Microsoft, your career will never stand still.

Great talent is essential to fueling innovation. It drives curiosity, challenges us to look at problems from another perspective, ask questions and think differently. Great talent has helped Microsoft innovate while also fueling entrepreneurism in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

The F-M area has seen new technology innovation in unmanned aerial space, software development startups, incubation centers, meet-ups, technology consulting firms and Software as a Service (SaaS) technology companies, which all continue to grow and prosper. Conferences and educational events continue to support innovation and the industry with the State of Technology, Drone Focus, TedXFargo and One Million Cups.

These events and community collaboration create partnerships that Microsoft believes are essential to driving change in the world. Microsoft’s Employee Giving Program also provides a way for our corporation to partner with and support local and national nonprofits performing invaluable work to support our community every day. By matching every employee’s monetary gift up to a set amount and their volunteer hours of service toward approved 501c3 organizations, Microsoft’s Employee Giving Program supports those nonprofits and the passions and interests of our employees.

Microsoft has specifically partnered with many nonprofits and local community groups to support STEM events in the community to continue expanding this education for youth including Junior Achievement, Educators in Industry, many robotics clubs and MarketPlace for Kids. Microsoft also provides a technology camp for young women called DigiGirlz as well as TEALs - a partnership to provide Computer Science advanced placement courses in high schools.

Microsoft is just one of many organizations in the Fargo-Moorhead area investing in STEM education and give-back programs. In fact, the F-M community has a strong reputation for supporting its nonprofits and building a solid foundation for STEM education within our school systems. As Great Plains Software was a strong community collaborator, Microsoft has continued to stand true to this heritage as we continue to invest and grow in the Fargo campus.

Microsoft, along with many other organizations, believes in building the foundation for our future in this area.

Betcha didn’t know Fargo-Moorhead is...

Part of the Silicon Prairie with a variety of local, hi-tech startups.

IMPACT MAGAZINE 97

Thank You

The Greater Fargo/Moorhead Economic Development Corporation and The Forum would like to thank the following advertisers that helped bring you

INDEX American Crystal Sugar ............................................................... 78

Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead ................9

BCBSND ...............................................................................................53

Jim Carlisto, RE/MAX Alliance Group .................................... 28

Bell Bank .............................................................................................. 13

John Deere Electronic Solutions..............................................77

Bobcat Company .............................................................................19

Johnson Auction and Realty......................................................66

Border States Electric Supply ....................................................55

Kennelly Business Law ...................................................................81

Border Trucking, LLC. .................................................................... 31

Korsmo Funeral Service ...............................................................81

Boulger Funeral Home ..................................................................53

Luther Family Buick GMC .............................................................. 3

Cargill, Inc. ......................................................................................... 30 Cass County Electric Cooperative ...........................................41 CHI Riverview ................................................................................... 30 City of Fargo .....................................................................................69 City of West Fargo ......................................................................... 67 Comstock Land Company .......................................................... 30 Concordia College .......................................................................... 95 Eide Bailey ............................................................................................. 7 EPIC Management ........................................................................... 21 Essentia Health ................................................................................. 15 Ethos Home Care ............................................................................ 51 Eventide .............................................................................................. 97 Fargo Jet Center ............................................................................. 34 Fargo Metro Area Transit............................................................ 28 Fargo Public Schools.....................................................................49 Forum Communications Printing............................................69

MDU Resources Group .................................................................25 Microsoft Corporation ................................................................. 79 Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc. ..........................................37 Moore Engineering, Inc. .................................................................. 5 Moorhead Public Schools ........................................................... 85 MSUM ....................................................................................................11 NDSCS .................................................................................................... 2 NDSU .................................................................................................... 39 Noridian Health Services ............................................................ 85 Oak Grove Lutheran School ...................................................... 20 Property Resources Group ........................................................ 87 Sanford Health...............................................................................100 Spicy Pie ...............................................................................................61 The Clinic Family Health & Sports Chiropractic .............. 45 Thrifty White Pharmacy ............................................................... 17

First International Bank & Trust ..................................................6

Tuffy Auto Service Centers ........................................................ 93

Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau ............. 43

United Savings Credit Union ......................................................75

Gate City Bank.................................................................................. 59

United Way of Cass Clay .............................................................. 17

Greater Fargo-Moorhead EDC..................................................99

Valley Rental Service ..................................................................... 92

Hannaher’s .........................................................................................49

West Fargo Public Schools......................................................... 30

Hanson Runsvold Funeral Home ..............................................57

West Fargo VFW ..............................................................................73

Hector International Airport ..................................................... 45

Wright Funeral Home ................................................................... 87