Prairie Business August 2021

PREMIER BUSINESS MAGAZINE OF THE NORTHERN PLAINS | AUGUST 2021

Sustainability in

architecture PAGE 16

MANUFACTURING WITH ROBOTS PAGE 12

A SOYBEAN CRUSHING PLANT IS PLANNED IN SPIRITWOOD, N.D.

PAGE 24

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Making a $74 Million Impact on Local Businesses with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Gate City Bank processed over 2,600 PPP loans, helping businesses in 252 industries persevere through the COVID-19 pandemic.

During difficult times, extending a helping hand to those in need leads to healing. Gate City Bank has spent 98 years creating a better way of life for customers, communities and team members.

This hasn’t changed throughout the last year of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially across North Dakota.

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has been incredibly successful in North Dakota, which had the highest concentration of PPP funds per private sector worker than any other state during the first round of loans in 2020. During that same period, Gate City Bank processed more loans than any other bank in North Dakota (loans under $150,000).

The Bank helped over 2,100 businesses with more than 2,600 loans, benefiting 252 industries and resulting in a $74 million overall impact. This is just one of the many reasons Forbes ranked Gate City Bank #4 in the U.S. on its list of World’s Best Banks in 2021.

“Local businesses and entrepreneurs help keep our communities strong,” said Kevin Warner, Senior Vice President of Business Banking. “Gate City Bank has been proud to stand with them throughout the pandemic, creating a better way of life for our communities by delivering an innovative and seamless PPP loan process.”

PPP is a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan that was established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. It provides small businesses with the resources they need to maintain payroll, hire back employees who may have been laid off and cover applicable overhead.

One of the local businesses Gate City Bank partnered with for a PPP loan was Probitas Promotions. Based out of Grand Forks, ND, Probitas has delivered quality branded apparel and products to the region for more than five years. Its operations were significantly impacted

by COVID-19, especially since it largely caters to community events, many of which had to be delayed during the pandemic.

“Those funds were crucial in helping us stay afloat by maintaining payroll and our employees’ health care,” said Savanah Simmers, Probitas Promotions Chief Marketing Officer. “We appreciate Darryl Jorgenson at Gate City Bank beyond words. We feel like we’re home every time we work with them.”

Another business Gate City Bank worked with on a PPP loan was Johnny B’s Brickhouse in Jamestown, ND, which has been in business for over five years.

“News of COVID-19 was very stressful, especially when you wonder about potential business shutdowns,” said owner Jon Beyer. “Scott Hare and the others at Gate City Bank have done a phenomenal job for us, especially with staying in close communication. They want us to succeed.”

Helping Customers with Personal Loans That Totaled Over $1 Million

In the wake of the pandemic, the Bank’s BetterLife Loan, for example, provided access to emergency funds for customers who suffered a job loss or a significant income-related event. The Bank helped

over 400 people with this program alone, making a over million 400 people with this program alone, $1.3 impact overall throughout themaking year. a $1.3 million impact overall throughout the year.

Gate City Bank cares about helping customers, Gate City Bank cares about helping customers, especially during times of emergency such as especially during times of emergency as government shutdowns, floods and thesuch COVID-19 government shutdowns, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bank’s pandemic-related personal * pandemic.

The Bank’s pandemic-related and no loans came with a very low interest rate personal * loans came with a very low ainterest rate of and fees, helping people create better way lifenoin fees, helping people create a better way of life in difficult circumstances. difficult circumstances.

The Bank also offered loan deferrals for those The Bank also offered loan deferrals forby those whose livelihood was heavily impacted whose livelihood was heavily impacted by COVID-19. It processed more than 6,700 loan COVID-19.

It processed more than 6,700 loan extensions for customers. extensions for customers.

Justin Voller, a pilot based out of Bismarck, Justin Voller, a pilot based out of Bismarck, ND, was among the customers who received ND, was among the customers who received Gate City Bank’s help on deferred personal Gatemortgage City Bank’s help on during deferred and payments thepersonal past year. and mortgage payments during the past year.

“I’m very thankful for the wonderful job “I’m theinwonderful job Gatevery Citythankful Bank hasfor done helping me through Gate City Bank has done in helping me the pandemic,” Voller said. “They werethrough very the pandemic,” and Voller said. “Theyin were very understanding instrumental helping understanding and instrumental in helping me sign new clients and long-term contracts.” me sign new clients and long-term contracts.”

Continuing to Promote Continuing to Promote Philanthropic Giving Philanthropic Giving During the pandemic, Gate City Bank also continued

During the pandemic, Gate City Bank alsomembers continued to give back to communities where team to give back to communities where team members live and work. The Bank donated more than live andof work.

The Bank donated more 30,000 its reusable blue tote bags to than students 30,000 of its reusable blue tote bags to students transferring home-learning materials, and gave transferring home-learning materials, and gave away 25,000 hand sanitizers and 63,000 face masks. away 25,000 hand sanitizers and 63,000 face masks.

Whether it was delivering pizza to heroic health Whether it was delivering pizza to heroic health displaying #WorldOfHearts unity in care workers, displaying #WorldOfHearts unity in care workers, drive-up windows or supporting local businesses drive-up windows or supporting local businesses by purchasing gift cards and distributing them by team purchasing gift cards andBank’s distributing them to members, Gate City locations let to team members, Gate City Bank’s locations let communities know everyone has been in communities know everyone has been in this together. this together.

The Path Forward The Path Forward Throughout the last year of COVID-19,

Throughout the last yearto ofprovide COVID-19, Gate City Bank continued a better way of Gate City Bank continued to provide a better way of life for customers, communities and team members. life for customers, communities and team members.

Although the year came with its challenges, it also Although the accomplishments year came with itsand challenges, it alsoto was filled with opportunities was filled with accomplishments and opportunities to overcome many unknown obstacles. overcome many unknown obstacles.

“While the pandemic presented many hurdles, “WhileCity theBank pandemic presented many hurdles, Gate never lost hope,” Warner said. “Instead, Gate City Bank never lost hope,” Warner “Instead, our team members saw an opportunitysaid. to increase our team members saw an opportunity to increase community giving for those who needed it most.” community giving for those who needed it most.”

About Gate City Bank About Gate City Bank A $2.8 billion mutual bank founded in 1923,

A $2.8City billion mutual founded in 1923, Gate Bank is thebank region’s leading financial Gate City Bank is the region’s leading financial institution, as well as the #1 mortgage lender in institution, as well as the #1 mortgage lender in North Dakota. The Bank employs more than 735 North Dakota.

The Bank employs more than 735 team members at 43 locations in 22 communities team at 43 locations in 22 communities acrossmembers North Dakota and central Minnesota. across North Dakota and central Minnesota.

The Bank believes in creating a better way of The Bank believes communities in creating a better way of life for customers, and team life for customers, communities and team members, and it has contributed $30.6 million in members, andgiving it hasand contributed $30.6 of million philanthropic 250,000 hours teamin philanthropic giving and 250,000 hours of team volunteerism since 2003. Additionally, Forbes has volunteerism since 2003.

Additionally, Forbes has placed Gate City Bank at #4 in the U.S. on its list placed Gate City Bank at #4 in the U.S. its list of the World’s Best Banks.

The Bank hasonalso been of the World’s Best Banks.

The Bank has also been named one of the “50 Best Places to Work” seven named one of the “50 Best Places to Work” seven years in a row by Prairie Business magazine. years in a row by Prairie Business magazine.

The Bank’s reusable blue bags and hand sanitizers The Bank’s reusable blue bags and hand sanitizers were donated throughout communities. were donated throughout communities.

*Terms and conditions apply. *Terms and conditions apply.

701-293-2400 • 800-423-3344 • GateCity.Bank 701-293-2400 • 800-423-3344 • GateCity.Bank

Member FDIC Sponsored Content Member FDIC Sponsored Content

COVID-19 Assistance by the Numbers 2,100+

$74M

Businesses Helped

6,700

Personal Loan Extensions Granted

Business Impact

$1.3M

30,000

Reusable Blue Bags Donated to Students

in Personal Emergency Fund Loans Granted

25,000 Hand Sanitizers Donated

63,000 Face Masks Donated

701-293-2400 • 800-423-3344 • GateCity.Bank

Member FDIC

TableofContents

DEPARTMENTS

AUGUST 2021 VOL 22 ISSUE 8

10

Editor’S NOTE A GREAT PLACE TO BE

BY ANDREW WEEKS

20 24

THE ARGYLE, A JLG PROJECT, NEARS COMPLETION IN DOWNTOWN GRAND FORKS. PHOTO BY ERIC HYLDEN/GRAND FORKS HERALD

FEATURES 12

manufacturing

26

GUEST ARTICLE THE BUSINESS OF SUSTAINABILITY

BY SAM EASTER

soybeans A SOYBEAN CRUSHING PLANT IS PLANNED IN SPIRITWOOD, N.D.

BY ANDREW WEEKS

around the office HOUSTON ENGINEERING TAKES PRIDE IN NEW GRAND FORKS OFFICE

BY ANDREW WEEKS

28

INSIGHTS & INTUITION

30

BY THE NUMBERS

MANUFACTURING WITH ROBOTS

BY ANDREW WEEKS

16

sustainability SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

BY SAM EASTER

ON THE COVER: JLG’S BRIAN CARLSON, LEFT, AND ANDREW BUDKE ARE PHOTOGRAPHED NEAR THE ARGYLE IN DOWNTOWN GRAND FORKS TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2021.

PHOTO BY ERIC HYLDEN/ GRAND FORKS HERALD

prairie people VISIT PRAIRIEBUSINESSMAGAZINE.COM TO SEE THESE AND OTHER NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS AND AWARD WINNERS IN THE REGION.

BOYD MARTS ESSENTIA HEALTH WELCOMES NEW PROVIDER FARGO, N.D. • DR. BOYD MARTS HAS JOINED THE ESSENTIA HEALTH TEAM IN FARGO AND SPECIALIZES IN CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY.

KELSEY GRAY PAULSEN HIRES NEW GRAPHIC DESIGNER SIOUX FALLS, S.D. • KELSEY GRAY HAS JOINED PAULSEN AS A GRAPHIC DESIGNER. SHE SPENT THE SUMMER OF 2020 AS A GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN AT PAULSEN.

water | transportation | municipal | facilities

If you set the bar at competence, how do you reach excellence?

ApexEngGroup.com

Editor’snote AUGUST 2021 VOL 22 ISSUE 8

A GREAT

PLACE TO BE

W

When someone thinks of North Dakota, many different images may come to mind: wind whipping among tall prairie grass, bison roaming the badlands, extreme winters and the deep freeze.

But as the person gets to know the state better, other images come to

mind: friendly people, clean cities and communities, and an ambitious and innovative business climate.

The same could be said of Minnesota and South Dakota, too.

Some of the industries that stand out are the architecture, engineering and construction fields; and manufacturing.

All of these industries, like many others, were impacted by the coronavirus

Andrew Weeks Editor

pandemic. But each of them found ways to adapt and remain relevant. In fact, for some, the challenges caused by the pandemic prompted them to

PUBLISHER KORRIE WENZEL AD DIRECTOR STACI LORD EDITOR ANDREW WEEKS CIRCULATION MANAGER BETH BOHLMAN LAYOUT DESIGN JAMIE HOLTE ACCOUNT MANAGER NICHOLE ERTMAN

800.477.6572 ext. 1162 nertman@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

look outside the box and tap new potentials.

“It unleashed the power of private businesses,” said Matt Gardner, director of government affairs with the Greater North Dakota Chamber.

He addressed the manufacturing topic, saying the industry is one of the top players that impacts the economy -- pandemic or no pandemic.

What’s on the horizon? Lots of good things, Gardner said.

The same can be said of the architecture and engineering fields. To put a face on it, all someone has to do is find out what’s happening with sustainability.

Take the Argyle, for example, “a cutting-edge work of the modern, sustainable architecture movement, with all the bells and whistles that entails,” according to reporting by Sam Easter.

The Argyle, designed by JLG Architects, is a five story building in Grand Forks, N.D., that not only explores but exemplifies “a greener, more sustainable kind of architecture.”

Readers can find out more in this month’s cover story. Manufacturing also is highlighted in a story in this month’s issue.

The stories help form new images of North Dakota and the region for those who may be

Prairie Business magazine is published monthly by the Grand Forks Herald and Forum Communications Company with offices at 375 2nd Avenue North, Grand Forks, ND 58203. Subscriptions are available free of charge. Back issue quantities are limited and subject to availability ($2/copy prepaid). The opinions of writers featured in Prairie Business are their own. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, artwork are encouraged but will not be returned without a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

new here or for those who still are exploring the region where they may have lived for a long time.

There’s no doubt about it, it’s a great place to be.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are free

prairiebusinessmagazine.com Until next time,

ADDRESS CORRECTIONS

Andrew Weeks I look forward to hearing from you at aweeks@prairiebusinessmagazine.com or 701-780-1276.

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Prairie Business magazine Box 6008 Grand Forks, ND 58206-6008 Beth Bohlman:

bbohlman@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

ONLINE www.prairiebusinessmagazine.com

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General Steel & Supply Co. is the manufacturing division of Fisher Industries. We have been designing and fabricating high-quality aggregate processing equipment in southwest North Dakota for over five decades. Our equipment pieces are now in use by numerous companies all over the world.

We strongly believe in inspiring the next generation of manufacturers.

We do this by providing hands-on tours to area students, donating materials to local welding programs, and providing scholarships to welding training programs.

Learn more about us at www.fisherind.com.

Why choose a career in manufacturing?

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The average annual income of U.S. manufacturing employees

(701) 456-9184 | 3020 ENERGY DRIVE, DICKINSON ND 58601 | WWW.FISHERIND.COM

manufacturing

AUGUST 2021 VOL 22 ISSUE 8

STEFFES, WHICH HAS OFFICES IN DICKINSON AND GRAND FORKS, N.D., HAS INSTALLED ADDITIONAL ROBOTS OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. BESIDES THE EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY OF WORK THE ROBOTS PROVIDE, THEIR USE ALLOWS EMPLOYEES TO TAKE ON NEW ROLES AND LEARN NEW SKILL SETS. IMAGES COURTESY OF STEFFES

Manufacturing with Robots The wider manufacturing industry continues to be a boon to the region’s economy

By Andrew Weeks

O

ver the past two years, Steffes has installed several robots at its facility in Dickinson, N.D. These robots help the company improve efficiency, but more particularly, according to Manufacturing Engineering Manager Jeremy Jahner, the robots ensure quality.

“That’s definitely a trend in the industry today,” he said of robotics.

The company is now considering an important question: what’s next?

“Efficiency is very important,” he said. “But to me it is about consistency and quality.”

Unlike people, robots don’t need breaks, don’t sweat or feel fatigue. They never request time off.

That’s not saying anything negative about the company’s dedicated human workers. It’s just a fact of these technological times.

And despite what some people might think — that hiring robots means real people lose their jobs — robots allow employees to tackle new fields and advance their skill sets and, as such, their career options.

As an example, with robots the company needs fewer welders, “people with the stinger in their hands burning wire,” Jahner said.

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ROBOTS HELP STEFFES IMPROVE EFFICIENCY, BUT MORE PARTICULARLY, ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING MANAGER JEREMY JAHNER, THE ROBOTS ENSURE QUALITY OF WORK. IMAGE COURTESY OF STEFFES

“But it really has pushed us. Now we need more technicians that can program the robots, take care of the robots, those things that keep them running. And so it really has given our welders career advancement opportunities, which is exciting.… All of our technicians have started out as welders.”

The robots the company currently uses are programmed for welding, but Jahner said in the future the company will use robots for additional manufacturing work.

“We have done about as much as we can do with this type of robotics,” he said. “We can have more of them, obviously, but what really is the next step is having robots loading parts into the fixtures.

We’d have a person load the part and then put a button and the robot would actually do the welding.

“They’re called machine-tending robots and now the machine, the robot, is actually loading the machine and advancing it to the next step. That will be the next step for us.”

PRAIRIEBUSINESSMAGAZINE.COM

continued on page 14

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Growing Communities.

Creating Connections.

13

manufacturing

AUGUST 2021 VOL 22 ISSUE 8 continued From page 12

Manufacturing in the Region Steffes, like other manufacturers in North Dakota, helps fill a critical role in the state, regional and national economies.

To put numbers on the important role manufacturing plays, the industry accounts for roughly 7.28% of all GDP in the state, produces about $4.16 billion in product every year, and offers an average salary of roughly $65,000 a year, according to Matt Gardner, director of government affairs with the Greater North Dakota Chamber.

Several areas of the state, including the Red River Valley, have an especially strong manufacturing presence in North Dakota, he said.

That will only continue, especially as these companies work with institutions of higher learning, many which have manufacturing programs, to tap talent. The state’s Department of Commerce offers internship and scholarship programs.

“Overall, I think the state is working hard to help all industries, including manufacturing, to get the workforce that it needs,” Gardner said.

Minnesota and South Dakota also have a heavy manufacturing presence, with the former having a total yearly output of $52.01 billion in 2019, accounting for 13.55% of the state’s total output and employing roughly 11.36% of the state’s workforce, according to the National Association of Manufacturers. Average annual compensation for manufacturers in Minnesota was more than $80,000 in 2019.

South Dakota saw a manufacturing output of $5.12 billion the same year, accounting for 9.32% of the total output in the state, according to numbers by the NAM. It employs around 10% of the workforce with an annual compensation of more than $61,000.

As for exporting the goods, manufactured items in the region are shipped all over the globe. In 2020, the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, some $3.12 billion in manufactured goods were exported from North Dakota. Some $2.82 billion was with North Dakota’s free-trade agreement partners.

North Dakota’s neighbor to the north, Canada, is its biggest trading partner. While borders were closed to travel during the pandemic, they were open for trade so economies could continue, Gardner said.

That helped lessen the impact of the pandemic on many manufacturers in the region, though they have been faced with other challenges — namely, securing some material to manufacture products.

Jahner said Steffes has felt some of that impact.

Materials challenges aside, Gardner said the pandemic pushed some businesses to tap their potential.

“It unleashed the power of private businesses,” such as Pfizer, another chamber member, to innovate with a new vaccine, he said.

“I THINK THERE’S A GOAL TO ATTRACT ALL MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND TO BOOST THE ONES WE HAVE.” MATT GARDNER

A WELDER IS SEEN WITH A ROBOT AT STEFFES IN DICKINSON, N.D.

A ROBOT PERFORMS WORK AT STEFFES AT THE COMPANY’S FACILITY IN DICKINSON, N.D. IMAGES COURTESY OF STEFFES

Gardner said it is an example of what businesses, including manufacturers, can do when they are intuitive.

What does the future look like for the region? Bright, he said.

And for North Dakota in particular?

“I think there’s a goal to attract all manufacturing companies and to boost the ones we have,” Gardner said. “But if there’s a targeted area, I would say it’s around unmanned aerial systems … and as a byproduct, tech companies, startups, and some longer-term companies that are making parts and pieces to support that industry.”

Biopharmaceuticals is another industry that is growing, he said, and value-added agriculture is another priority, giving a nod to a soybean crushing plant that is planned in the central North Dakota community of Spiritwood. (See a story about the soybean facility on page 24.)

“It’s amazing what manufacturers make in this state, all over the state,” he said. “I visit with them all of the time and it’s amazing the things they’re making right here in North Dakota.”

DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS GREATER NORTH DAKOTA CHAMBER

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ANDREW WEEKS PRAIRIE BUSINESS EDITOR AWEEKS@PRAIRIEBUSINESSMAGAZINE.COM 701-780-1276 | @PB_ANDREWWEEKS PRAIRIEBUSINESSMAGAZINE.COM

a collaborative education & training solution to meet regional workforce needs

We are thrilled to collaborate with the NDSCS Alumni/Foundation and their partners to provide the design for the new 92,000+ SF facility and campus.

EAPC.NET/CIC

ENGINEERING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS IS OUR JOB. BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES IS OUR PASSION. ULT E I G E N G I NE E RI N G C O NS ULTANTS Ulteig works in the Lifeline Sectors of power, renewable energy, water, and transportation, but our passion lies in strengthening the communities we serve. Whether it’s a new roadway or windfarm, substation or water treatment facility, we take our commitment to improving, maintaining, and revitalizing essential infrastructure seriously. Because we don’t just engineer sophisticated infrastructure solutions, we help to build stronger, safer, cleaner, and healthier communities. START YOUR NEXT PROJECT WITH ULTEIG.

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Sustainability

AUGUST 2021 VOL 22 ISSUE 8

JLG’S BRIAN CARLSON, LEFT, AND ANDREW BUDKE SHOW THEIR NEW OFFICE SPACE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE ARGYLE IN DOWNTOWN GRAND FORKS TUESDAY, JULY 13.

PHOTO BY ERIC HYLDEN/GRAND FORKS HERALD

Sustainable architecture

By Sam Easter

T

he Argyle, a five-story building in Grand Forks on the corner of Fourth Street and DeMers Avenue, is going to be very, very pretty. It’s been under construction since late spring 2020, and after a year of construction, it’s looking very much like early renderings – all glass and right angles and just the right amount of curves.

It’ll include three top floors of residential space – plus a bottom floor for retail and a second floor housing JLG Architects’ new offices. The Grand Forks-based firm designed the project, and to hear them tell it, it’s going to be more than just a new workplace.

The Argyle is a cutting-edge work of the modern, sustainable architecture movement, with all the bells and whistles that entails.

The building is designed to maximize the use of daylight, minimizing the need for electric lighting; it’ll sport a solar array on the roof, and it will include efficiencies in heating and cooling and water use.

At JLG, it’s not only the way the new office will work – it’s the way of the future, too. The building’s sustainable qualities are the kind cropping up throughout the architecture world, driven by a decadelong turn into greener building.

“We’re seeing clients driving that in many cases,” said Brian Carlson, lead designer at JLG. “There’s a desire for sustainability. We’re

16

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seeing it within the broader architectural community – the American Institute of Architects has instituted a framework for design excellence, which includes many of these sustainable principles as part of this design strategy.”

The move towards a greener, more sustainable kind of architecture goes back decades, and it’s intertwined with the same political movements that are putting electric cars on the road and planting windmills across the central U.S. But one benchmark that architects constantly refer to is “LEED” certification – that’s “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” – which was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Shawn Crowley is an architect with EAPC, an architecture and engineering firm with offices throughout the upper Midwest. Crowley points out that LEED certification saw an early spike in demand from clients who wanted the designation for their buildings. And over the years, that sustained demand has brought more material producers into the market, driving down the costs.

PRAIRIEBUSINESSMAGAZINE.COM

continued on page 18

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Sustainability

AUGUST 2021 VOL 22 ISSUE 8

WORK CONTINUES ON A FIFTH-FLOOR APARTMENT IN THE ARGYLE BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN GRAND FORKS. PHOTO BY ERIC HYLDEN/GRAND FORKS HERALD

continued From page 16

A RENDERING OF A UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA HEALTH SCIENCES BUILDING PROJECT. IMAGE COURTESY OF ARCHITECTURE INCORPORATED. RENDERING PROVIDED BY PROJECT PARTNER PERKINS & WILL

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“It started with lead a long time ago and then that was a big trend, with all the owners wanting to have that sort of certification, that pushed the suppliers … because they wanted that to be able to be used in this building,” Crowley said. “So now, those types of products are now more readily available and they’re not necessarily considered specialty products anymore. They’re almost standard.”

The result is moving sustainable architecture from a more expensive proposition to something that makes more and more economic sense, as buildings more easily recoup the expensive costs over the years.

Crowley points to EAPC’s project in Brookings, S.D., where the firm has worked on South Dakota State University’s precision agriculture center. The nearly $40 million facility has high-efficiency HVAC, a solar array on the roof and is being built with a number of recycled and low-pollutant materials. It’s expected to begin hosting classes this fall.

Andrew Eitreim, vice president and principal architect at Architecture Incorporated, described a health sciences project at the University of South Dakota campus. There’s ample daylight to help reduce the need for electric lighting, low-contaminant building materials, and a cooling system that’s built to cool water overnight – off-hours for the local energy grid – then use it to keep the temperature regulated during the day.

It’s an exciting project. But Eitreim points out that green features of

PRAIRIEBUSINESSMAGAZINE.COM

From our very beginning we’ve focused on

WHAT’S IMPORTANT...

A RENDERING OF THE SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY RAVEN PRECISION AGRICULTURE CENTER. IMAGE COURTESY OF EAPC

all kinds are becoming more commonplace as technology improves and as the market shifts – on interior finishes, exterior finishes, insulation systems and more.

“Twelve or 14 years ago, there was the idea that, well, you’re doing LEED-certified, there has to be an additional (cost),” Eitreim said.

“And if you today were doing a LEED-certified or LEED-silver project, I would argue that the cost difference is minimal.”

The change is exciting for architects, who are watching ideas about design move into the mainstream. Patrick Thibaudeau, JLG’s principal sustainability officer, explains that more and more often, JLG in particular is trying to make sustainability more than just an add-on, but part of the building and design process from the start.

“I call it the ‘syrup syndrome’ that we’re ending,” he said, “where often design and construction is looked at as, well, we’re going to do our design like cooking a stack of pancakes, and when it’s all done and baked and served on the platter will call the specialist in and pour the sustainability syrup on top of it.”

Without pushing the metaphor too far, the industry is headed from that stack of “pancakes” toward something more like a cake – in which all the small details and advantages of a fully sustainable building are added into the project from the beginning.

Watching that change can be exciting.

Andrew Budke, also of JLG, said a lot of sustainability ideas are the ones he remembers from design school – but have taken their time to show up at the office.

“Entering the professional world, it seems like there’s a lot of opportunities or reasons why those best practices don’t happen – justifications made, it’s too hard or the market won’t support it,” Budke said. “I guess what’s so exciting about this project is that it’s finally happening. All these big, heady ideas – it’s like we’re finally putting our money where our mouth is.”

To us, your project isn’t a job - it’s an opportunity to make a positive impact, protect future generations, and ensure the vitality of where we live and work.

www.ae2s.com

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GuestArticle

AUGUST 2021 VOL 22 ISSUE 8

IN 2013, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA IN GRAND FORKS, N.D., BEGAN WORKING WITH JLG ARCHITECTS AS THE DESIGN LEAD FOR THE NEW ALUMNI CENTER, CREATING A REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE OF SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN ACTION. IMAGES COURTESY OF JLG ARCHITECTS

The Business of

Sustainability A seven-year study of the UND Gorecki Alumni Center in action

By Patrick Thibaudeau and Tracy Nicholson

I

f you’re a business owner waiting for factual proof of how a sustainably designed office can provide enough benefit to outweigh the initial cost, you’re not alone. With new data emerging to prove its cost and company-saving value, the topic of sustainable office design is no longer getting tabled.

In 2013, the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, N.D., began working with JLG Architects as the design lead for the new alumni center, creating a real-life example of sustainable practices in action.

This was not solely a cost-saving and aesthetic design mission – UND was also motivated to educate the community, visitors, and students by actively demonstrating sustainable investments in extreme cold climates.

To provide proof of performance with verified data, the university closely evaluated the center’s net-zero design over its first seven years. Ultimately, the studies were quick to confirm the benefits, outperforming early predictions with cost savings substantial enough to convince any CEO to re-examine their workspace.

UND’s Gorecki Alumni Introducing North Dakota’s first and only LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certified commercial building -- UND’s Gorecki Alumni Center (GAC).

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• Building Footprint Reduction – By employing a compact floor plan, JLG presented a 33% building footprint reduction which granted more space for landscaping. This eliminated 15% of required parking which reduced total cost of ownership.

• HVAC System with Geothermal – Piping for the system was constructed under the parking lot to allow for multi-use of open land. Permeable paving lets water filter through the ground, avoiding storm water runoff and reducing chemical exposure to city water systems.

• Geothermal Wellfield – One hundred percent of heating and cooling is supplied by a 130 well geothermal field located beneath the building’s parking lot.

• Ground Source Heat Pumps – Specialized heat pumps paired with rooftop solar array allows the building to remain partially operational in the event of a grid power loss.

• On-Site Water Management – Controlling water use on-site ensures the project can weather prolonged rain or drought, helps avoid future flooding, and increase resilience.

• Interior Water Controls – Through aerators and sensors on faucets, plus low-flow toilets and waterless urinals, water consumption is reduced by 38%, compared to standard buildings.

• CO2 Sensors – To sustain efficiency, the building has CO2 sensors to detect occupancy levels, automatic temp control programming for times of day and seasons, and it uses Earth’s natural mass as a heat source and sink.

• Air Pressure Testing – Significant infrared heat and pressure testing throughout construction identified potential areas for passive air and energy loss which was then remedied with additional spray foam.

• LED Lighting and Controls – The building features LED lighting throughout, in addition to motion sensors and automatic dimmers which further reduce wattage use.

• Harvesting Natural Light - Floor to ceiling windows helps illuminate even the basement spaces and reduces the need for artificial light by 16 percent. On the exterior, a shading technique called Brise Solei is used, along with vertical louvers, and operable shades. Combined, the trio reduces heat, interior glare, and solar gain in the summer, while utilizing the lower sun to heat the interior in the winter.

• High-Performance Glass - Over 60% of GAC’s exterior is double-paned glass with thermal qualities and strategic shading. Over the past five years, this high-performance glass helped the facility use 40% less energy than the national averages for this climate zone.

• Wind Energy – Approximately 70% of the building’s electricity was initially supplied by purchased renewable wind energy.

• Roof Solar Panels – A white roof helps lower the roofing temperature by 15 degrees, in addition to 3,219 square feet of photovoltaic solar panels. The roof alone is saving up to 80,000 kWh a year—enough to run 7.3 average American homes annually.

• Exterior Lighting Efficiency – Outside lighting power density was reduced by 82.5% by strategically planning down lights for walkways and patios, reducing parking lot and accent lighting, and eliminating up lights.

• Pollinator Pathways and Native Plantings – These 100% drought-tolerant plantings help produce cleaner stormwater, which is managed entirely on-site for reduced waste and self-watering.

• Recycled Materials – More than 72.6 tons of GAC’s interior material were diverted from landfills by reusing or recycling materials on site. This led to a 51% reduction of disposal costs.

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Proven Studies + Savings

Thought of as the “front door” and first impression of the campus, the alumni center is designed to welcome all inclusively -- just ask the full-time tour guide who is eager to lead the way.

To complete the university’s vision for the center, JLG was tasked with creating a highly sustainable design with a focus on indoor/ outdoor connectivity that would provide a transition between the campus’ traditional collegiate gothic style, and the future-focus of the nearby technology centers.

What it achieved, with the help of UND and generous project partners, was a gateway to the future of sustainable design practices with measurable benefits. Altogether, it had not only met, but also exceeded all national benchmarks in sustainable design certification, showing that high performance design can be achieved while lowering total cost of ownership.

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With the idea that sustainable design practices are only as good as their proven results, the team, led by JLG Architects, embarked on a seven-year post-occupancy evaluation spanning 2013 to 2020, studying the building’s energy efficiency, cost savings, and employee satisfaction. What they found is nothing short of astonishing.

On average, the 30,000 square-foot building is achieving a 54% energy use reduction, compared to national usage in climates such as North Dakota. The study also showed corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions, and a 38% reduction in water use, compared to standard buildings. In fact, actual energy has achieved about $277,000 of energy cost savings (2013-2020) compared to baseline, and the building has shown potential to be $950,000 net revenue-positive over 30 years.

The GAC’s progressive heating and cooling system has also demonstrated impressive results. The highly efficient system is the first-of-its-kind in extreme cold, providing 100% of the building’s heating and cooling from a ground source heat pump system. Unlike typical systems, there is no backup or supplemental heating and cooling equipment needed. The unique process regulates temps and dramatically reduces energy costs, saving UND approximately $38,000 in annual energy costs, according to city utility costs.

Welcoming Wellness Inside the alumni center, JLG strategically designed every square foot to minimize resource use, harvest natural light, and optimize the environment for employees and visitors to thrive. The plan was a massive success, now serving as a perfect case study to finally demonstrate long-term cost benefits in sustainably designed

continued on page 22

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GuestArticle

AUGUST 2021 VOL 22 ISSUE 8 continued From page 21

commercial properties — the structures that typically have the largest footprint.

Every day since completion, the building and university is collecting data, surveying its overall efficiency, occupant comfort, and usability. When the results were tallied in November 2020, it was even more positive than the partners had predicted. An occupant survey showed the GAC outperforms the UC Berkley CBE Database (97% satisfied), which represents thousands of projects across the country. With 97% of the building’s occupied spaces having outdoor views, it’s no wonder it scored well with occupants.

Inhale, Exhale, Engage

The alumni center’s indoor common spaces near large glass areas are closely connected to outdoor features like the firepit and seating area to help bring the outside in. These spaces are not simply for vanity—engaging spatial experiences have been known to increase brain function, reduce stress, and even improve eye health.

While the first floor is an open concept that can transition per occasion, the second and third floors are designed with employees in mind. Here, staff can adjust lighting and set their own temperature with comfort controls.

Throughout the building, superior air quality is emphasized.

The GAC’s engineering provides 25% more outside air to the inside than typical buildings and uses 60% less energy to do so. Thanks to abundant natural light and better air quality, the post-occupancy survey showed the GAC’s staff is averaging 15% more productivity with fewer sick days.

come — while fulfilling their educational promise to past and future alumni. With multi-faceted purpose and inclusive public space for students and community alike, the GAC’s concept attracted many donors – one even gifting $1.5 million in support of the building’s LEED® Platinum goals.

Since opening in 2013, the alumni center has continued to impress by hosting hundreds of thousands of people at events and tours, making it the most influential, sustainable building in the region.

The energy evaluation of the Gorecki Alumni Center is only the beginning of a continuous learning process on the path to a healthier environment. As this industry succeeds in delivering statistical evidence of long-term value, the universal hope is that sustainable design becomes the new norm and baseline standard for construction and design.

If you’re still pondering the value of a workspace that promotes wellness and environmental efficiency, you might be missing out on a boom to your bottom line.

Sources: University of North Dakota Gorecki Alumni Center (2020 Energy Evaluation); Exceeding National Benchmarks: University of North Dakota Gorecki Alumni Center (2020 Post-Occupancy Evaluation); David Vig, PE, CEM (Obernel Engineering); ; Patrick Thibaudeau (JLG Architects) ; Ingenuity Marketing Group, LLC.

Restoring People & Place

The University of North Dakota will experience the cost-saving ripples of sustainable design and engineering for decades to

IMAGES COURTESY OF JLG ARCHITECTS

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Soybeans

AUGUST 2021 VOL 22 ISSUE 8

Soybean crushing plant planned in Spiritwood, N.D.

By Andrew Weeks

A

$350 million soybean crushing and refining plant is planned in Spiritwood, N.D., which will have significant benefits to the state’s agriculture industry and economy.

Archer Daniels Midland Co., the Decatur, Ill.-based company that is planning the project, said the plant at the Spiritwood Energy Park Association industrial site, will create about 70 permanent jobs and have the capacity to process up to 150,000 bushels of soybeans per day or more than 54 million per year.

Gov. Doug Burgum, in a meeting with the Grand Forks Herald and Prairie Business in May, called the soybean plant a game changer for the state. Not only will it add value to agriculture and expand the market for soybeans, but it will support the production of renewable energy.

ADM said the plant will produce soybean meal and vegetable oil for food, feed, industrial and fuel customers, including producers of renewable diesel. Soybean oil from the plant would be shipped to the Marathon Petroleum refinery in Dickinson, N.D., to make renewable diesel.

“This exciting new project allows us to partner with North Dakota farmers to further advance the role of agriculture in addressing climate change through the production of low carbon feedstocks for products such as renewable diesel,” said Greg Morris, president of ADM’s Ag Services & Oilseeds business.

Burgum said: “It’s an aspirational thing and it’s a challenge, but we’ve heard a lot of positive feedback from the industry,” noting the plant itself will be one of the greenest plants built “because that’s what their (ADM’s) investors are looking for too, and so everybody’s moving in the right direction.”

The Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corp. approved $2.5 million in forgivable loans and grants as a local incentive for the project, according to a previous report by the Jamestown Sun. The funding includes a $1 million grant at the time ADM signs a lease with the Spiritwood Energy Park Association, $500,000 at the completion of construction if it is within 24 months of the lease agreement and $500,000 upon proof that ADM has 25 people on the payroll at jobs paying more $20 per hour.

North Dakota, ranked ninth in the country for the production of soybeans, producing more than 190 million bushels a year, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. In 2018, Cass County was ranked as the No. 1-producing soybean county in the nation.

Jamestown Mayor Dwaine Heinrich, who comes from a farm background, knows about the important role agriculture plays and what the soybean plant could do for North Dakota.

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“As far as locally, certainly this will help to stabilize our economy.

I believe there’s roughly 70 jobs associated with this. Certainly not all are going to live in Jamestown or Stutsman County, but a good number of them will,” he said. “That means we have more people to help support our local cities, counties and schools through taxes and other activities.

“I like to think that people run in pairs. These jobs are going to be really good jobs, people are going to be willing to move here, if necessary, and hopefully they bring along someone else that would be able to fill another job. It helps bring in families that will put more kids in our schools. And, of course, additional economic activity simply means additional taxes to help support the city, the county and keep taxes as low as possible.”

The closest soybean crushing plant of significance, he said, is in Aberdeen, S.D. Soybeans, while perhaps not often discussed as openly as other crops in the state, is an important one for North Dakota, said David Ripplinger, associate professor in the Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics at North Dakota State University.

The process of crushing soybeans, Ripplinger said, is not rocket science but “to do it well and to make money … is not easy at all.”

He believes the future Spiritwood plant will be one of the best.

According to ADM, the plant is expected to be completed prior to the 2023 harvest.

“We’ve long been exporting soybeans,” Ripplinger said. “We’ve added acres, but generally we have plateaued while increasing yields. Now it’s an opportunity to have value-added agriculture.

It’s something we have always wanted to do and this provides us the opportunity.

“And, with a renewable diesel facility already operating in the state, it’s even better because there’s only a handful of those, and so we get to take immediate advantage of that.”

Matt Gardner, with the Greater North Dakota Chamber, said when value is added to a product, wages also tend to increase.

“When you think of North Dakota in its progression, it has been an agricultural state, an energy-producing state. … If you can add more value to energy products that we’re developing in the state, the better things are going to be,” Gardner said. “On the flip side, the ag products being grown here are driving investment, like a soybean crushing facility.”

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AROUNDTHEOFFICE

AUGUST 2021 VOL 22 ISSUE 8

HOUSTON ENGINEERING OPENED ITS NEW GRAND FORKS OFFICE IN SEPTEMBER 2020, BUT TO LITTLE FANFARE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC. IT HELD A RIBBON CUTTING THIS PAST SPRING. THE NEW OFFICE IS ABOUT 2,500 SQUARE FEET WITH AN ADDITIONAL 700 SQUARE FEET OF GARAGE SPACE. FORMERLY LOCATED AT THE CENTER FOR INNOVATION ON THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA CAMPUS, OFFICE MANAGER TRENT BERG SAID IT IS NICE TO HAVE THE COMPANY’S OWN SPACE IN GRAND FORKS. IMAGES COURTESY OF HOUSTON ENGINEERING

Houston Engineering takes pride in new Grand Forks office Company says the space provides room to grow

By Andrew Weeks GRAND FORKS, N.D. • Houston Engineering is enjoying its new office in Grand Forks, a modern-style building with room enough to grow.

The office building, which has about 2,500 square-feet plus a 700-square-foot garage, is located at 4399 S. Columbia Road and was designed by Enclave. It opened in September but to little fanfare because of the pandemic. The company instead held a ribbon cutting this spring, said Trent Berg, a civil engineer who also is the office manager.

In total, Houston Engineering has eight offices in three states — the Dakotas and Minnesota. The company formerly held space in Grand Forks at the Center for Innovation on the University of North Dakota campus.

Berg said it is nice to be in the company’s own building, but with one drawback: “It’s nice and quiet,” he said. “Maybe a little bit lonely, because we’re not interacting with other people. But it’s nice.”

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What’s nice about it?

For starters, it’s a nice-looking facility, one which the company is proud to call its own. The interior — which has offices, cubicle-desk space, a reception area to greet visitors, conference room, and break room with kitchen setting — is conducive to a productive work environment. He credits Enclave for that, which Berg said did an exceptional job both inside and outside the building. And, he said, if down the road as more people are hired and the office ever begins to feel too cramped, a wall can be removed to extend the space.

“It’s a nice space,” he said. “It’s nice to have our own space and with our name on it. It is pretty nice to see.”

The location also is a boon, especially looking at growth down the road, both at the company and in the community.

“It’s a good location because we’re on the south end of town where a lot of the development is happening and will continue to take place,” Berg said. “It puts us close to the action.”

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Insights&Intuition

AUGUST 2021

SPONSORED BY

VOL 22 ISSUE 8

Q.

INSIGHTs & INTUITION What efforts are being done to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a company?

Amy Hass Senior Vice President EPIC Companies West Fargo, N.D.

EPIC continues to grow and develop by creating a culture of continuous learning and adapting to changes. We gain knowledge from each project we develop and evolve accordingly.

Our employees are hired on personality and passion; we create their job description after, allowing our staff to grow in areas they enjoy and excel in. We welcome growth and continue to work with communities to create projects that enhance the quality of life.

At Legacy Financial Partners, we are committed to growth and development by believing in people first and then company. There are many companies and teams in the financial services world; however, I don’t believe that any have more talent, resources, integrity, and dedication than we do at LFP. Growth doesn’t happen unless we develop as a team. It is our focus to establish strong company and personal goals by holding each other accountable and engaging in high-quality training. Specifically, we have encouraged company growth through the development of teams dedicated to company culture/values as well as implementing a weekly educational program for the betterment of our financial advisors.

I believe in LFP and the people we have. The possibilities are endless when we continue to think big and change the reality of what’s possible. By keeping a growth mindset, we have been able to achieve the most success and create a culture filled with inspiration, education, and creativity. * Legacy Financial Partners is a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Joel Bird CEO Legacy Financial Partners

Bismarck, N.D.

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AE takes a thoughtful approach at how we have expanded our operations over the past 17 years, considering the markets, resources, and talents we can access to best serve the communities we work and live in.

We utilize long-term interns, who are learning the newest of innovative ideas and creative solutions and are proud to hire them as a member of our skilled team when they have completed their degrees. We have found the best blend of experienced professionals who mentor excited, driven graduates, is key to our future development as a company.

We believe in providing premiere services to our clients, which means having the best staff of highly skilled civil engineers and architects. We have continued to expand our depth, which encompasses 11 disciplines, and in addition have a highly trained support staff from design, financial and communications fields to enhance what we provide to each client.

Every client gets a unique experience specific to their needs, we pride ourselves on providing a first-class experience.

Dan Oakland CEO, Senior HR Consultant Alternative HR, LLC Sioux Falls, S.D.

Ryan Ackerman, PE President and CEO Ackerman-Estvold

Minot, N.D.

There are multiple dimensions of business growth and employee development that we intentionally pursue at Alternative HR, LLC. We are, after all, in the ‘people’ business, and we believe that organizational growth cannot be sustained without individual growth.

First, we challenge our team members to grow individually: learn something new or improve something you do – both professionally and personally. When individuals have an improvement mindset, that naturally translates to other areas of their life, and to all aspects of our business. It also creates a more positive workplace, where individuals encourage each other’s growth.

Second, we look at how we can improve our internal processes and consistency of results. That translates into better deliverables for our clients. The goal is to build and maintain high customer satisfaction and client retention. When we do that, we know that adding new customers actually grows the business rather than just replaces customers who had unfulfilled expectations.

Third, we set goals in terms of external growth – reaching and bringing in new clients, and expanding business with existing customers. In truth, this third goal is a natural outcome of doing well on the first and second goals.

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ByTheNumbers

AUGUST 2021

SPONSORED BY

VOL 22 ISSUE 8

PEOPLE UNABLE TO WORK

NONFARM PAYROLL EMPLOYMENT

In June 2021, 6.2 million people did not work at all or worked fewer hours because their employer closed or lost business due to the coronavirus pandemic. This is down from 7.9 million in May 2021 and from 49.8 million in May 2020. The 6.2 million people that did not work at all or worked fewer hours at some point because their employer closed or lost business due to the coronavirus pandemic, 575,000 were aged 16 to 24, 3.7 million were aged 25 to 54, and 1.9 million were 55 years and older.

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 850,000 in June, according to the latest numbers by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 5.9%. Notable job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, public and private education, professional and business services, retail trade, and other services. Both the unemployment rate, at 5.9%, and the number of unemployed persons, at 9.5 million, were little changed in June.

Percent

16.0 14.0

60,000,000

12.0 10.0

40,000,000

8.0 20,000,000

6.0 4.0

0 MAY 2020

JUL 2020

SEP 2020

NOV 2020

JAN 2021

MAR 2021

MAY 2021

2.0 JUN 2010

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

JUN 2012

JUN 2014

JUN 2016

JUN 2018

JUN 2020

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

CONSUMER PRICES

STATES’ UNEMPLOYMENT RATES

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 5.4%, not seasonally adjusted, from June 2020 to June 2021, the largest 12-month advance since the year ended August 2008. Consumer prices increased 4.7% from February 2020 to June 2021. February 2020 was the last month before the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Unemployment rates were lower in seven states and the District of Columbia in June, higher in three states, and stable in 40 states, according to the latest information available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Forty-nine states and the District had jobless rate decreases from a year earlier. The national unemployment rate, 5.9%, was little changed over the month but was 5.2 percentage points lower than in June 2020.

Percent

6.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0% -2.0% FEB 2020

JUN 2020

OCT 2020

FEB 2021

JUN 2021

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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7.3% and higher 5.6% to 7.2% 4.5% to 5.5% 3.9% to 4.4% 3.8% and below

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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