West Fargo Focus June 2023

EDITOR

Wendy Reuer wreuer@forumcomm.com

701-241-5530

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Lisa Tillotson ltillotson@forumcomm.com

701-241-5524

MULTIMEDIA SALES CONSULTANTS

Jessie Andren jandren@forumcomm.com

701-241-5451

Tim Couchman tcouchman@forumcomm.com

701-241-5490

Jamie Dettling jdettling@forumcomm.com

701-241-5493

Keith Harriger kharriger@forumcomm.com

701-241-5435

DESIGNER

Jamie Holte

westfargond.gov

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES & STORY IDEAS: advsales@forumcomm.com

701-241-5431

ON THE COVER:

West Fargo’s annual Bike Safety Rodeo was held on May 17, 2023 at the POW/MIA Plaza.

Chris Flynn/West Fargo Focus

Submit your photo for the chance to be featured on the cover of future editions. Submissions can be made online at https://inforum.news/WFPhotocontest or by scanning this code:

West Fargo’s annual Bike Safety Rodeo was held on May 17, 2023 at the POW/MIA Plaza.

Chris Flynn/West Fargo Focus

NDSU students create vision of a new downtown West Fargo

By Melissa Van Der Stad | The Focus

WEST FARGO — As West Fargo continues its expansive growth within the metro area, city leaders have taken the first steps to create a master plan for a vibrant downtown area, an idea a group of architecture students at North Dakota State University drew inspiration from. Over the last semester, a class of fourth-year students developed their shared vision for the future of West Fargo’s downtown, presenting a video-rendering chock full of green spaces, local art and family-friendly amenities at West Fargo’s City Hall to an audience full of family, friends and city officials on Friday, May 5.

“As West Fargo grows, I think it needs a heart,” said Cole Jarman, a member of the student team that included: Zach Crawford, Jacob Meidinger, Hunter Haider, Jeremy Rivard, Kamryn Brecht, Kaitlyn Bridgeman,

Isabella Nyseth, Taylor Amble, Derek Freborg, Jami Ewart, Hailey Macheledt, Joseph Seelhammer, Abby Wilson, Mariah Zeien and Sydney Seamands.

In an effort to create a destination downtown with a distinctive West Fargo feel, students prioritized green spaces for visitors to enjoy, vibrant alleyways filled with businesses and a fun nightlife atmosphere with plenty of bars, food trucks and lighting design that promotes safety.

Their main focus throughout the design process was to create an identifiable downtown destination that is uniquely West Fargo, project member Sydney Seamands said.

NDSU STUDENTS: Page 5

RiskSpecialistSupervisor DakotahBank

A reimagined downtown in West Fargo, created for a school project by North Dakota State University architecture students. Contributed / NDSU 4th year architecture students

Calendar of Events

MONTHLY

Airport Authority

5:30 p.m. last Thursday of every month

@ West Fargo Municipal Airport Terminal Building

Baby Boost Story Time

(ages 0-2 + their adults)

Every Friday, 10:30-11:30a.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

City Commission

5 p.m. first and third

Monday of every month

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Forestry Committee

5:15 p.m. second Tuesday of February, April, June, August and November

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Library Board

5:30 p.m. second Thursday of every month

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Liquor Control Board

1 p.m. second Tuesday of every month

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Park Board

5:30 p.m. second Wednesday of every month @ Rustad Recreation Center

Planning and Zoning Commission

5:30 p.m. second Tuesday of every month and the fourth Tuesday if needed

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Public Art Advisory Committee

5:30 p.m. Wednesday of every month

@ Virtual, visit westfargond.gov for link

Ready to Read Story Time

(ages 3-5 + their adults)

Every Wednesday, 10:30-11:30a.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

School Board

6 p.m. second and fourth Monday of every month

@ Leidal Education Center

WFACP* Card GamesWhist

Every Wednesday, 12:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

JUNE

Summer Kick-Off Party

June 1, 5-7 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Model Trains at the Library

June 1-2, All Day

@ West Fargo Public Library

WFACP Saturday Senior Breakfast (free-will offering)

June 3, 9-10 a.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

Chutes and Boots Pro Bull Riding

June 3-4

@ Essential Health Plaza at the Lights

Outdoor Movie NightSpace Jam

June 5, 7 p.m.

@ POW/MIA Plaza

WFACP Fire Talk

June 5, 12:15 p.m

@ West Fargo High Rise

Bark in the Park

June 6, 5:30p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

@ River’s Bend Park

Teen DIY: Self-Care Spa Kit

June 6, 2:30-3:30p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

WFACP Prize Bingo

June 6 12:15 p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

The Great Outdoors

Family Fun Night

June 7, 6 p.m.

@ Essentia Health Plaza at the Lights

Flower Power: Pollinator Class & Craft

June 8, 2:30-3:30p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

WFACP Soup & More

June 8, 5 p.m.

@ Blessed Sacrament Church

Summer Teen Book Club

June 12, 3:30-4:30p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Monday Night

Readers Book Club

June 12, 7-8 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

WFACP Crafts

June 12, 12:15 p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

Symmetrical

Art Class for Kids

June 13, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

WFACP GamesChicken Foot

June 13, 12:15 p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

Job Service ND

Available for Walk-Ins

June 14, 1-3 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Cruise Night

June 15, 4:30p.m. - 9 p.m.

@ Downtown West Fargo -

Sheyenne Street and POW/MIA Plaza

Family Movie: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

June 15, 1:30-3:30p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Third Thursday Book Club

June 15, 1:30-2:30p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

West Fargo Street Fair

June 17, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

@ Downtown West FargoSheyenne Street and POW/MIA Plaza

Blanket Make-In Event for Project Linus

June 17, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

WFACP Cop Talk

June 19, 12:15 p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

WFACP Monthly Meeting

June 20, 12:15 p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

Novel Afternoons Book Club

June 21, 1-2 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Books & Brews

Community Book Club

June 22, 6-7 p.m.

@ Caribou Coffee - Sheyenne Hornbacher’s location

WFACP Soup & More

June 22, 5 p.m.

@ Blessed Sacrament Church

Jersey Boys -

Presented by Stage West

June 23-25, 27-30, 7:30p.m.

@ Essentia Health Plaza at the Lights

Intro to Babysitting for Teens

June 26, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

WFACP Sheriff Talk

June 26, 12:15 p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

Gardening Club

June 27, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

WFACP Money Bingo

June 27, 12:15 p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

Family Movie: Paddington

June 28, 1:30-3:30p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Kindness Postcards

Craft Class

June 29, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Intro to Camping Class

June 29, 6:30-7:30p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

*West Fargo Area Community Program

NDSU STUDENTS From Page 3

Spaces that catered to all ages were important, added project member Hailey Macheledt.

The walkable design of the downtown encouraged visitors to stop and stay awhile with hammocking spaces, a music venue, fire pits, food truck parking and a community kitchen.

All this in an attempt to capture the heart of West Fargo and foster a happy city that promotes healthy residents, community relationships and safe streets.

While their professor, Dr. Paul Gleye III, knows this design doesn’t factor in all the practical elements of urban design, he clarified that, as architects, “it’s important to start with the vision, then the practicality.”

“I’m really proud of what they’ve developed,” said Gleye, who’s been teaching the course for 10 years. He starts off each semester by presenting his students with theoretical questions about what makes an excellent downtown design.

His students then spend the following months researching and learning how to turn their ideas into a functional design.

“The magic of design happens when you take verbal ideas and transmit them into visuals,” Gleye said.

The 16 NDSU students were guided in their creative process by the city’s vision for the establishment of a core downtown area that’s centered around Sheyenne

NDSU STUDENTS: Page 6

Architecture students from North Dakota State University answer questions about their architectural vision for downtown West Fargo on Friday in West Fargo City Hall. Michael Vosburg / The Focus

“Their main focus throughout the design process was to create an identifiable downtown destination that is uniquely West Fargo.”

- project member Sydney Seamands

Street, according to Aaron Nelson, Planning and Zoning director.

The city laid out their vision in a recently awarded request for proposals for a grant-funded project to create a master plan for downtown, recently awarded to consultant Bolton & Menk.

Focus areas for the master plan include placemaking, or “creating a downtown that is distinctly West Fargo,” Nelson said, as well as an epicenter of business opportunities to foster economic development, providing visitors adequate access to parking and planning something that will accommodate the city’s growth for decades to come.

“It was very impressive that the students took that and generated their own vision,” Nelson said. Project’s like this can serve as inspiration for the public and help get their creative juices flowing, he added.

A website for the master plan project has recently launched, with a final plan projected to be completed by October 2023.

Brittany Taplin, a member of the city’s steering committee for the downtown master plan process, was extremely impressed with the student’s work.

The steering committee had its inaugural meeting on May 3, she said, during which they walked through the downtown area and drew inspiration from what’s there to see and what could be enhanced or added.

Themes at the core of the students’ project, including the walkability of a reimagined downtown and the importance of capturing West Fargo’s local identity, are both things she’s seen reflected in the planning from the steering committee so far.

While the students’ project has no impact on the city’s master plan, it does showcase the excitement of residents and the potential within this ‘city on the grow.’

“A really big piece of this effort will be community engagement,” Nelson said. Incorporating the feedback from all West Fargo residents will help create a plan for downtown that truly captures the “heart of the city,” Nelson said.

The committee will spend the coming months soliciting feedback from residents, Nelson said, through surveys and direct community outreach. That input will influence the ultimate direction of the master plan.

Readers can reach Melissa Van Der Stad at mvanderstad@forumcomm.com.

An event space with nearby hammock-hanging posts is incorporated in the student’s project as part of their vision for downtown West Fargo. Contributed / NDSU 4th year architecture students

Larger-than-life green spaces included in the students’ project are intended to bring in visitors and promote the health of the community. Contributed / NDSU 4th year architecture students

West Fargo Exchange Club hosts annual awards ceremony

By Wendy Reuer| The Focus

The West Fargo Exchange Club announced its annual award winners at a banquet, Tuesday, May 23.

Each year, the West Fargo Exchange Club names a Police Officer of the Year, Firefighter of the Year and a recipient of the Civic Excellence Award.

Officer Todd Pearson was recognized as the 2023 Police Officer of the Year and Training Chief Matt Berg was named the 2023 Firefighter of the Year.

The Civic Excellence Award recognizes citizens in West Fargo who have made a difference and made major contributions to making

West Fargo great. The West Fargo Civic Excellence Award was first presented in 2001 by the West Fargo Chamber of Commerce. The West Fargo Chamber merged with Fargo and Moorhead in 2011 and the new organization decided to no longer present this award so the Exchange Club took it over.

This year, business owner, and former longtime City Commissioner Mike Thorstad was presented the Civic Excellence Award.

Along with recognizing residents of West Fargo, the Exchange Club has four mission elements that it follows: Prevention of child abuse; community service; Americanism and youth.

With about 70 members and residents in attendance Tuesday, the Exchange Club also made a $10,000 donation to the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center.

The club awarded more than $3,500 in scholarships as well and supports the Dollars for Scholars. The club also organizes keeping Kids Cozy and donates clothing such as socks, sweatpants, underwear, boots, gloves, hats and snacks to each of the elementary schools for students who are in need.

The Exchange Club also hands out flags as part of the GIVEAKIDAFLAGTOWAVE project.

The West Fargo Exchange Club held its 2023 Community Awards luncheon at the Double Tree Hilton on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, to recognize contributions to the City of West Fargo. Awards were presented to Todd Pearson, Police Department Employee of the Year, Mike Thorstad, Civic Excellence Award, and Matt Berg, Firefighter of the Year. Dave Samson/The Focus

West Fargo’s child care grants to open spots for more than 100 children this fall

By Wendy Reuer | The Focus

WEST FARGO — This fall, there will be space for more than 100 additional children at child care facilities across West Fargo after the City Commission approved over $300,000 in grants.

On Monday, May 1, the commission awarded $331,868 in grants to 27 child care providers, including 14 in-home providers, eight school-aged centers, three early learning centers and two group-licensed providers. With the grant money, the centers will be able to care for nearly 1,300 children.

The grants were the first of three rounds of funding in which the city will award up to $1 million to eligible child care operations attempting to upgrade their facilities and increase the number of children they can care for.

The grant program was presented earlier this year by Commissioner Mandy George and will be paid for using economic development funds from the city.

Economic Development Manager Casey Sanders-Berglund said the city received 28 applications, and one application was rescinded due to the owner’s reluctance to proceed through the public process. While each application was vetted by Sanders-Berglund, the Economic Development Committee and the City Commission, Sanders-Berglund highlighted three applications for more than $20,000 on Monday.

Summit Child Care, which operates out of a local church, was granted about $49,000 to upgrade its space and install security features at two of the church doors. Summit is licensed to provide child care for up to 75 children but can currently only accept 22 children to the program.

Sanders-Berglund said the upgrades will give Summit the capacity to provide child care for an additional 53 children.

Sheyenne Learning Academy, which recently went through an ownership

change, was on the brink of closing under the previous management.

With some assistance from the city and the new owners, the center will receive its full application amount of about $50,000 to replace damaged flooring and infant cribs which must be updated by this fall.

Sheyenne Learning Center serves 115 children from about 97 families.

“Ninty-seven families, that is a lot of children,” Commissioner Mark Simmons said. “I want people to understand what we’re doing for the community.”

Creative Learning Child Care, which also received the maximum award from the city, will use the grant money to renovate

its building and create a new space that will allow the center to care for infants.

Creative Learning is licensed to serve 108 children but currently only serves about 80 children from 55 families.

A recent survey highlighted how essential child care access is in recruiting and retaining a strong workforce in West Fargo.

Responses to the survey, distributed to all West Fargo residents, indicated 45% of respondents reported that an adult’s career in their household had been impacted due to a lack of child care. Fourteen percent of respondents noted an adult family member had left the workforce due to a lack of childcare.

Of those impacted, 95% would reenter the workforce if child care became more available and affordable.

In a survey of business owners, it was commonly reported that employees had been lost due to a lack of child care availability.

More information on the program and application process is available for child care providers at www.westfargond. gov/1299/Child-Care-FacilityImprovement-Grant. A second round of applications will open from May 29–June 19.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Wendy Reuer at wreuer@forumcomm.com or 701-241-5530.

Children from all of the YMCA’s West Fargo Child Care locations present a thank you banner at West Fargo City Hall. Contributed/City of West Fargo

The City of West Fargo Receives Growth Award

By City of West Fargo Staff

The City of West Fargo was named a Growth Award recipient by the Arbor Day Foundation for the eighth consecutive year and a Tree City USA for the 39th consecutive year.

The Tree City USA designation is given to communities that have a Forestry Division, tree ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrate Arbor Day.

The Growth Award recognizes major milestones and annual activities over the past year that combine to build sustainable community forestry programs.

“The Growth Award recognizes that West Fargo is continually implementing innovative ideas and

strategies to grow and promote our urban forestry programs,” said West Fargo City Forester Chad Zander.

“We are proud that this is our eighth year honored and are striving to receive the award 10 years in a row to earn West Fargo the distinction of Sterling Community.”

The Awards were presented at an Arbor Day Celebration on May 12. During the event, Mayor Bernie Dardis officially proclaimed May 12 as Arbor Day in the City of West Fargo. In celebration of Arbor Day, the City’s Urban Forestry Committee upheld a long-standing tradition and dedicated a tree to long-time West Fargo residents Nancy and Gary Ostrom.

*All dates and times are subjecttochange.

Black = Multiple Schools

Green = West Fargo High School

Orange = Sheyenne High School

Gold = Horace High School

JUNE 1 TBD

Baseball: V @Young Field State Tournament

8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Volleyball All Team

@West Fargo High SchoolGym- Main- All Courts

9 a.m.

Soccer: G/V @Starion Sports Complex

9 a.m.

Tennis: G/V

@Choice Health & Fitness, Grand Forks

HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITY CALENDAR

10 a.m.

Softball: V

@North Dakota State University

JUNE 2 TBD

Baseball: V @Young Field State Tournament

9 a.m.

Soccer: G/V

@Starion Sports Complex

9 a.m.

Tennis: G/V

@Choice Health & Fitness, Grand Forks

10 a.m.

Softball: V

@North Dakota State University

JUNE 3 TBD

Baseball: V @Young Field State Tournament

9 a.m.

Soccer: G/V

@Starion Sports Complex

9 a.m.

Tennis: G/V

@Choice Health & Fitness, Grand Forks

10 a.m.

Softball: V

@North Dakota State University

JUNE 4

9 a.m.

Golf: B/V

@Heart River Golf Course

4 p.m.

Golf: B/V

@Dickinson Parks & Recreation

JUNE 5 8 a.m.

Golf: B/V

@Dickinson Parks & Recreation

9 a.m.

Golf: B/V

For more information and/or schedule changes please visit

West Fargo Employee receives Samaritan Award

By City of West Fargo Staff

Ben Markey, an Operator in the City of West Fargo’s Sanitation Department received the City of West Fargo’s Samaritan Award. The Samaritan Award is given to City employees who go above and beyond the scope of their work duties to render lifesaving aid to a person in distress in West Fargo.

Ben assisted an elderly person who fell in their driveway in the morning on a sub-freezing day. He stopped his route and helped them back into their home. Ben also ensured the resident’s garbage bins were brought out and returned to the house that day. His quick action helped prevent a potentially serious situation.

Ben was honored with this award by Mayor Bernie Dardis, Public Works Director Matt Andvik, and Sanitation Manager Logan Jacobson.

Ben is the fourth City Employee to receive this award, which can be earned by any employee not in the Police or Fire Department.

Samaritan award winner Ben Markey.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

New facility, new possibilities

West Fargo’s Assembly Systems pursuing new ground thanks to new production plant

By Thomas Evanella | West Fargo Focus

WEST FARGO — Since opening in 1993, Assembly Systems has been content in its role as an under-the-radar employer in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

The company’s lane was fairly routine and straightforward. Doing subassembly work for a stable list of clients in the transportation and agriculture industries meant coming into work came with few surprises each day, branch manager Jeff Manuel explained to The Forum.

“We knew what the schedule was. We knew what we had to build every day,” Manuel, an eight-year veteran at the company, remarked. “We didn’t have to go

out and look for other business.

Thanks to a variety of factors, including a new, 70,000-square-foot facility and the COVID-19 pandemic, those predictable workdays are in the rearview mirror. Asked if this was the most change he’d seen during his tenure with Assembly Systems, Manuel replied swiftly in the affirmative. “That world has changed,” he said.

Organized chaos

Walk across the production floor at the Assembly Systems plant, tucked into a

ASSEMBLY: Page 14

“There’s always these hidden gems in probably any market and Assembly Systems would certainly be one of those gems.”

- Ryan Aasheim, CEO of the GFMEDC

Tom Dwyer, foreground and Brian Huelsbeck work in the small unit assembly at Assembly Systems in West Fargo. Chris Flynn/The Focus

West Fargo pins Heide Delorme as new finance director

By Wendy Reuer | The Focus

WEST FARGO — West Fargo has hired former Bismarck School Board president and current United Way executive Heide Delorme as its next finance director.

Delorme will be responsible for the management of accounting, debt/ treasury, utility billing, budgeting, accounts payable/receivable, payroll and investments of West Fargo.

Last week, a hiring committee including Mayor Bernie Dardis and Commissioner Roben Anderson interviewed three finalists for the position vacated by Judith Afdhal, who resigned April 7 after less than a year on the job.

The committee considered Delorme along with West Fargo resident Eric Carlson and Iowa resident Brian Majeski.

City Communications Specialist Rachel Richter Lordemann said the city received 14 applications for the position.

Assistant City Administrator Dustin Scott on Monday, May 15, said the hiring committee unanimously voted to extend an offer to Delorme, who will begin her new role June 19.

While The Forum is inquiring, the city did not immediately report what Delorme’s salary will be in the new role.

Delorme is currently the director of finance and administration for the United Way of Cass Clay. She moved to West Fargo from Bismarck in 2022 after working as assistant chief financial officer for the North Dakota Department of Human Services and director of administration for the Department of Water Resources.

She was previously the accounting manager for Mandan Parks and Recreation and served two terms as a member of the Bismarck School Board. Delorme holds a Bachelor of science

in accounting from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

“Heide’s previous experience makes her an excellent fit to lead our finance department,” Scott said in a statement. “She has financial experience in government, both as an employee and elected official, and has a breadth of both technical and managerial knowledge that will be a great asset for the City of West Fargo.”

Delorme will take over a department currently getting contracted help from AE2S Nexus, a group providing financial services including utility billing, accounting and 2024 budget preparation until roughly June 30 as the city eyes a new slate of staff.

Three finance department employees were fired in late January and early February, and earlier this year city officials discovered widespread billing

mistakes of city-provided utilities, such as water and sewer service. The mistakes resulted in a loss of at least $1.25 million in taxpayer money, according to a recent Forum analysis of public records.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Wendy Reuer at wreuer@forumcomm. com or 701-241-5530.

90 YEARS OF

Heide Delorme. City of West Fargo

nondescript industrial park on the city’s north end, and the company’s transportation and agriculture background is readily apparent.

On the floor, you’ll find several work benches where hoses are fastened to engines, tires are balanced and trucks are up-fitted with various attachments like additional storage compartments.

Manuel will quickly note, however, that nothing is anchored into the floor, meaning the whole production area could be repurposed if needed. “We definitely can adapt to whatever our customer needs. That’s really been our success,” he said. “We can take what’s chaos to a customer and that’s what we focus on.”

That chaos can come in the form of a particularly difficult assembly, storing excess inventory, managing various suppliers or anything else. “They have a lot of stuff going on,” Manuel added. “We can take some of that chaos away by focusing on what they’ve asked us to do.”

Put another way, Assembly Systems can be thought of as a “subcontractor” for other producers, Rick Lemke, who works in business development, said. “If there are other companies that are assemblers or manufacturers and they’re short on manpower, or short on space, or in some cases both, that’s where we come in,” he explained.

Currently, one of their biggest tasks is preparing and storing engines, transmissions and axles for New Flyer’s St. Cloud facility. Assembly Systems will then deliver the parts as needed to New Flyer’s facility.“That’s referred to as just-in-time delivery,” Lemke said. “You could almost back the truck up right next to the production line and have everything come off that truck in the order that it’s needed on the production line.”

It isn’t just New Flyer components that pass through the doors at Assembly Systems, however. Other noteworthy projects over the years have included spray tanning booths, an off-brand snowmobile, ground thaw heaters and sidewalls for double-decker buses. They’ve also helped produce the Door Stud, a tool from a local firm that makes hanging doors a one-person job.

In short, give Assembly Systems the materials and a blueprint and they will handle the rest. “We can build anything that we have a drawing to,” he said.

‘Total game-changer’

Assembly Systems’s new production facility opened in 2021. It’s provided a major step up for the company’s capabilities, Manuel explained.

Beyond the 70,000-square-feet of production space, there is a 6,000-square-foot modern front office area.

On the production side, the biggest change from their previous facility is more headroom. Whereas the previous building had 12-foot ceilings, the new plant’s ceilings more than double that.

More vertical space means more storage, as shelves now reach up to 24 feet. It also means the plant has room for two-, five-, and 10-ton cranes, which Manuel said operate “all in parallel.”

Even after work benches, shelving and cranes, Manuel said the facility still isn’t at its most efficient use. There’s still empty space on the floor and production only runs on one, weekday shift. “We have room to grow just within this building,” he commented. “We’re a Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (employer). We have squarefootage out there that’s still available and we have the ability to work the entire 24 hours of the day.”

All told, the new building is a “total game-changer,” Manuel believed. That’s where Lemke steps in.

Selling themselves

In his six months with Assembly Systems, Lemke has been working the phones to bring in new business.

The ultimate goal, he said, is to diversify beyond their core competencies in the transit and agricultural world. “In the time since I started, one of the big things that we’ve talked about is diversifying,” Lemke said. “As time goes on, we want to get away from one big contract type of company to the type of company that’s filling production slots.”

While Lemke has served as the latest spark, Manuel noted that talks of diversification have been ongoing since 2018. “We needed to diversify,” he said. “We relied on ourselves to support the transit bus world and that was our only customer.”

The ultimate push came in 2020 in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic. Demand from New Flyer took a

downward turn. Fortunately, Manuel said, Assembly Systems had enough other lines of business to weather the storm, but the message was clear. “We need that diversity so we can withstand any type of economic changes,” he remarked. “When that hit, it forced us to really look harder at moving forward.”

Settled into the new facility and his role, Lemke has been orchestrating the diversification drive. It’s been as much about bringing on new business as it has been about stepping out and making connections. “We’ve taken an approach to really go out and sell what we do,” said Manuel. “Not only are we going out to potential customers, but we’re also going out to the city mayors and economic development groups.”

Building a network

For one of their newest prospective clients, Lemke credited the Greater Fargo-Moorhead Economic Development Corporation with an assist.

It was Ryan Aasheim, CEO of the GFMEDC, who made the connection between Assembly Systems and CorVent Medical, a ventilator manufacturer which settled in Fargo earlier this year.

CorVent relocated to Fargo from California this year, though CEO Richard Walsh told The Forum their manufacturing still takes place in the Golden State. The company has already relocated other aspects of their production to North Dakota, working with firms such as ComDel, Dakota Micro, and a Fargo-based

Shawn Erickson, a production assembler for 24 years at Assembly Systems in West Fargo upfitting a truck on June 14, 2022. Chris Flynn/The Focus

labeling company. The ultimate goal is for manufacturing to follow suit. “We still manufacture in southern California where it’s fairly costly to build stuff just because of the cost of doing business in California,” Walsh remarked. “Everything from the complexity of their regulations and their taxes and just the cost of living there.”

That’s where Assembly Systems would step in. Walsh said CorVent has been “looking very seriously” at hiring Assembly Systems as a contract manufacturer for their ventilators and CPAP devices.

Manufacturing ventilators, however, requires “ultra-cleaned” rooms, Walsh said. That would require Assembly Systems to construct new facilities free of petroleum products, but it’s a step Lemke said they’re willing to take. “We’ve developed a very good relationship with them and they know we’re willing to build a clean room for them in order to manufacture their product,” he said.

While a final decision won’t be made for another few months, Walsh has already been impressed by Assembly Systems and their willingness to make accommodations. “Assembly Systems, they’ve been really, really good as far as having good, collaborative discussions,” he said. “They’ve gone above and beyond trying to accommodate the special types of manufacturing facilities that we need because we’re governed by the FDA.”

Modern tech is no problem

Assembly Systems is also seeking to build the technology of the future in West Fargo. For that, Lemke has turned to Grand Farm and Emerging Prairie.

Lemke made contact with Arun Seelam, the CEO of Boson Motors, through Grand Farm. Boson Motors is a manufacturer of autonomous farm equipment and light utility vehicles which plans to move from California to the Fargo area this year.

While scouting the area for tier-one suppliers, Boson Motors found Assembly Systems, Seelam said. The company manufactures its vehicles in India, though Seelam said final assembly and distribution would take place in Fargo. “It will take us some time before we actually set up space and scale,” Seelam said, though he plans to bring 10 employees to the area right away.

Seelam said Boson relied on a list of “pain points” from Grand Farm as well as a presentation from Lemke to design their products. Lemke said Assembly Systems provided 21 different use cases for autonomous light utility vehicles specific to the Midwest.

While it is yet to be determined whether or not Assembly Systems will do the final assembly for Boson, Lemke anticipates that the groundwork that has already

been laid will lead to future partnerships. “I don’t know if we’ll end up getting to build those for them, but I do know that we may have a relationship with them at some point,” he said.

While autonomous vehicles represent new territory for Assembly Systems, Manuel said the company is up to the task. “As far as the concept of doing assembly of that type of vehicle, it fits right in our wheelhouse. It’s different, but exactly what we already do,” he said. “The brains of it will be a little bit different, but again, that’s a plug-and-play deal.”

It was through Emerging Prairie that Lemke discovered an opportunity for Assembly Systems to move into drone production as well. He attended an Emerging Prairie event about automation when a company official in the drones industry told him that the U.S. government had banned U.S. citizens from investing in DJI, which was discovered to be sending data from U.S. drones back to the Chinese government.

The lightbulb immediately went off. “We can make room pretty quick to make these drones for a number of companies,” Lemke said. “A lot of these companies just don’t have the ability to come up with 100 or 200 or 300 square-feet to build. Hopefully some of this stuff is going to trickle down our way.”

‘We know what we’ve got’

Aasheim said his top job with the GFMEDC is to support existing industries in the area. It’s why he makes a point of visiting anywhere from 100 to 200 companies per year to learn more about their operations and how the EDC can help.

He recalled that his visit to Assembly Systems was “eye-opening” in several ways. “You never really truly know what everyone’s up to,” Aasheim said. “There’s always these hidden gems in probably any market and Assembly Systems would certainly be one of those gems.”

It didn’t take long for Aasheim to make the same connections that Lemke already had, leading to the introduction with CorVent. “As we’re pursuing opportunities in agtech, medical devices and autonomous systems, I’m continually thinking about who has capabilities that could be parlayed or connected to some of these other industry opportunities,” Aasheim commented.

Lemke is hoping prospective clients will have the same illuminating experience Aasheim had. “Around this town, there are certain business names that are synonymous with certain lines of business,” he said. “We want to make sure and build our name up because we know what we’ve got here.”

An Assembly Systems finished upfit. Chris Flynn/The Focus

Brady Prochnow, center, gathers with family as they watch a crowd gather outside Thursday night, April 20, to say goodbye as he heads to a special rehabilitation center in Nebraska. Contributed / Prochnow family

NEWS

Friends and family stand with Brady Prochnow as they watch hundreds gather outside Sanford Medical Center in Fargo on Thursday, April 20. Prochnow prepares to continue his recovery at a rehabilitation center in Nebraska. Contributed / Prochnow family

Hundreds give send-off to West Fargo teen

Brady Prochnow heads to Nebraska following suicide attempt

By Kevin Wallevand | WDAY

Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

FARGO — Hundreds of people stood in the snow and rain Thursday night, April 20, outside Sanford Medical Center to support 16-year-old Brady Prochnow as he prepares for a new chapter in his life.

Prochnow is headed to a rehabilitation center in Nebraska just a month after he attempted suicide.

Friends, family and strangers joined many of his classmates and teammates, in the

cold rain, at the entrance to Sanford where he has been since mid-March. Many of the 300 people carried signs and balloons. All there in the winter-like night for Prochnow.

“It is crazy. None of us could’ve predicted how many would show up, it goes to show what kind of impact he had on everybody,” a friend of Prochnow’s said.

While many couldn’t see him, he was there. And for the first time in a month, we saw how far this West Fargo High School sophomore has come. On his last night there before heading to a rehab center, he stood with and watched a community come together for him.

Family and friends of Brady Prochnow show their support outside of Sanford Medical Center on Thursday, April 20, 2023.

David Samson/ The Focus

“If anyone ever needs help, don’t be afraid to reach out, ever,” another friend of Prochnow’s said.

“He is my cousin and I have struggle(d) with suicide before. I was in the same room as he was, and I lived so, it is a big part of my life and I am just happy he is here,” a family member said.

To donate to the Prochnow family, visit their Lend A Hand Up page.

Family

“It goes to show what kind of impact he had on everybody,”

- a friend of Brady Prochnow

West Fargo Police Department announces newest

By City of West Fargo Staff

The West Fargo Police Department is excited to announce the two newest members of the K-9 Unit.

K-9 Jazz is a 16-month-old Belgian Malinois from Holland. K-9 Jazz and his handler, Officer Brock Ackerman are certified in narcotic detection, suspect apprehension, tracking and article recovery.

New K-9 Unit handler, Officer Bobbi Jo Nobles, is paired with K-9 Hondo who joined the K-9 Unit in July 2022. K-9 Hondo and his new handler, Officer Nobles, are certified in narcotic detection, suspect apprehension, tracking and article recovery. K-9 Hondo was previously assigned to Officer Ackerman for his initial training period.

“We are excited to welcome a new handler

and a new K-9 to our K-9 Unit,” said Chief Denis Otterness. “These new K-9 pairings will continue to provide the highest level of service to the residents of West Fargo.”

The West Fargo Police Department has four K-9’s and handlers within the unit, three assigned to the Patrol Division and one assigned to the Community Outreach Programs and Services Unit. The three K-9’s assigned to the Patrol Division were deployed over 100 times in 2022.

The K-9 Unit is invaluable in protecting officers, locating drugs, tracking suspects, strengthening relationships and participating in community events. When not at work, the K-9s live with their handlers and are a part of their families. More information on the West Fargo Police Department’s K-9 Unit is available online.

Officer Bobbi Jo Nobles and K-9 Hondo.

K-9 Jazz.

‘Jersey Boys’ Brings the Music of The Four Seasons to The Lights

WEST FARGO, ND – The story and music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons will be heard as JERSEY BOYS takes center stage next month at the Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights. The Tony Award-winning Best Musical plays for seven performances scheduled June 23-25 & 27-30 in West Fargo. Original JERSEY BOYS Broadway cast member, Peter Gregus, serves as the show’s choreographer and co-director alongside Stage West Artistic Director, Adam Pankow. Gregus served as the production’s Dance Captain and played the role of Bob Crewe throughout the musical’s developmental process and for the entirety of the show’s 11-year, 4,642 performance run on Broadway.

Through phenomenal music, memorable characters, and dynamic storytelling, JERSEY BOYS follows the fascinating evolution of four blue-collar kids who became one of the greatest successes in pop-music history. The musical is a behind the scenes look at the personal and professional highs and lows of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons as the foursome work their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights of stardom. Electrifying performances of the group’s chart-topping hits including “Sherry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “December ‘63 (Oh, What a Night),” and “My Eyes Adored You” punctuate the 40-year friendship of Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy Devito, and Nick Massi from their introduction to each other (arranged by a

young Joe Pesci) through their induction into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.

Stage West’s production is among the first 50 productions to be performed worldwide following the original runs in New York and London, first-class tours, and regional theatre productions. Stage West’s JERSEY BOYS features some of the area’s top local talent comprising a 12-person cast and 12-piece, live orchestra. It is the first of two musicals planned this summer at The Lights with FOOTLOOSE set to take the stage July 28-30 & August 1-4.

Tickets for JERSEY BOYS are available at westfargoevents.com or by calling 701532-1793. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate beginning one hour before the performances. VIP firepits and tables (offering seating for four, a sharable appetizer sampler, and drink vouchers), Reserved, and General Admission seating options are available for all performances.

For additional information, please refer to the West Fargo Events website or follow Stage West on Facebook and Instagram using the handle, StageWestWF, on each platform.

Stage West is the artistic producing arm of West Fargo Events. Founded in 2021, the organization celebrates local artists and arts patrons through live performance, education, and cultural experiences that serve and connect the community.

Original Broadway Cast Member Serving as Production Choreographer, Co-Director

Original JERSEY BOYS Broadway cast member, Peter Gregus, who serves as the show’s choreographer and co-director.