Prairie Business February 2023

DOWNTOWN DESIGNS

BUILDING YOUNG LEADERS

While to ur is ts fl oc ktoS ha ko pe e, MN fo rValle yf ai ra nd Ca nt erb ur yPar k, th eC it y’sn ea rl y 45 ,0 00 residents fi nd th ei reve ryda yexc item entins po rt s, re crea ti on ,a nd na tu re.W ithav is ion be yo nd roll er co as te rs an dr ac et ra ck s, th er ei ma gi ne da nd up da te dS ha ko pe eC om mu ni ty Cent er is ao ne -s to p- sho pt ha tw el co me swel l- be in gf or co mm un it ym emb er so fa ll age s— fr om th en ew nei ghbo rin gi ce ar ena to th eC en te r’sm ee ti ng sp ac e, fi tn es sc lass es ,wal ki ng tr ac k, op en gy m, in do or pl ay gr ou nd ,a nd aqu at ic cen te r. By re ac ti va ti ng re cr ea ti on , Shak op ee is bu il din gas tr on ge rc om mu ni ty ;a ha pp yh om ed es ig ne df or th rivin gl iv es .

BIGIMPACT BIGIMPACT

Smallenoughtounderstand local needs.Largeenoughto accomplish bigthings.Asyourlocalsupercommunitybank, StarionBankisdedicatedtostandingbesideyouand making adifference in every communityweserve.

BUSINESS

ON THE COVER:

KEVIN RITTERMAN, PRESIDENT OF DAKOTA COMMERCIAL, SAYS HE STILL SEES A STRONG FUTURE IN DOWNTOWN INVESTMENT.

ERIC HYLDEN / FOR PRAIRIE BUSINESS

Nicholas Germscheid & Reece Gergen

TWO JOIN ENCLAVE AS ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS

WEST FARGO, N.D. • ENCLAVE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT NICHOLAS GERMSCHEID WILL BE JOINING ITS CONSTRUCTION DIVISION AS ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT. IN THIS ROLE, GERMSCHEID WILL SUPPORT SITE SUPERINTENDENTS AND STREAMLINE ACTIVITY AT ENCLAVE’S ACTIVE JOB SITES TO PROMOTE A SEAMLESS PROJECT DELIVERY. A NATIVE OF INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA, GERMSCHEID OBTAINED HIS BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY. HIS PREVIOUS INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE INCLUDES WORKING AS A SUPERINTENDENT AND ASSISTING CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS. REECE GERGEN IS ALSO JOINING ENCLAVE AS ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT. A NATIVE OF COTTAGE GROVE, MINNESOTA, GERGEN BRINGS SIX YEARS OF INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE TO ENCLAVE. HE PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS A FRAMING FOREMAN WHO SUPERVISED MULTIPLE SUBCONTRACTORS ACROSS VARIOUS PROJECTS.

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

Look around and soak in efforts of region’s engineers, architects

Not everybody knows the ins and outs of architecture or engineering. Sure, we laymen might grasp the general concept, but we have no real understanding of the intricacies of these two intensely complex fields.

We do, however, get to see and enjoy the results of great architecture and engineering, and there’s plenty of that lately in the Dakotas and Minnesota.

In Grand Forks, for instance, downtown is being transformed as new buildings rise. Two new events/conference centers are being built – one called The Beacon and the other The Olive Ann. Just down the street is a new five-story building called The Argyle. It’s the new home for JLG Architects.

Also downtown, Franklin on Fourth – a six-story, mixed-use development with more than 100 apartments – will start to go up later this year. A number of other new developments and renovations (too many to list within the confines of this space) also are reshaping Grand Forks.

It’s the same in Fargo. According to a report written by our sister publication, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, “the momentum for urban infill in the downtown core has paid dividends, with hundreds of new apartments and condominiums, tens of thousands of square feet of office and commercial space, plus a new hotel in the gleaming RDO Building.”

It has “transformed the core of the downtown,” Jim Gilmour, Fargo’s director of strategic planning and development, told The Forum.

Development in Sioux Falls seems to be transforming that city, too. As a native South Dakotan who spent much time there in the past, it was shocking to visit downtown Sioux Falls and some of the outer edges in November. In just a decade, so much development has happened in Sioux Falls that it truly seems like a different city.

Every city in the Prairie Business footprint – Minot, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Bemidji, Fargo, Watertown and dozens upon dozens of communities in between – probably could report a number of notable developments in the past few years.

Schools, too. A recent report in the Grand Forks Herald noted that “school districts across the state are taking advantage of federal funds designed to improve school facilities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.” Grand Forks-based ICON Architecture alone is working with 23 districts.

The point of all of this is that a deep knowledge of engineering and architecture isn’t needed to understand the value that these professionals bring to our region. For the layman, a full appreciation simply requires a visit to the downtowns of our larger communities, where their efforts are unmistakably evident.

And this also is obvious: The impact of the contemporary engineers and architects in our region will last for decades.

In this month’s edition of Prairie Business – our annual Architects and Engineers edition – read a bit about some of these good folks who are leaving a lasting legacy in the Dakotas and western Minnesota.

And next time you’re downtown in places like Fargo, Bismarck, Minot, Grand Forks or Sioux Falls, take a moment to soak in the progress and growth that is happening on the backs – and brains – of these great regional businesses.

Korrie Wenzel is publisher of Prairie Business and the Grand Forks Herald. Send story ideas to Interim Editor Sydney Mook at smook@gfherald.com.

PUBLISHER KORRIE WENZEL

AD DIRECTOR STACI LORD

INTERIM EDITOR

SYDNEY MOOK

CIRCULATION MANAGER BETH BOHLMAN

LAYOUT DESIGN JAMIE HOLTE

ACCOUNT MANAGER

NICHOLE ERTMAN 800.477.6572 ext. 1162 nertman@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

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.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Subscriptions are free prairiebusinessmagazine.com

ADDRESS CORRECTIONS

Prairie Business magazine Box 6008 Grand Forks, ND 58206-6008

Beth Bohlman: bbohlman@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

ONLINE www.prairiebusinessmagazine.com

is the center of our communities Downtown

Pushes for new development are transforming the Red River Valley

By Sam Easter

Kevin Ritterman, president of Dakota Commercial, remembers the early days of the pandemic like everyone else does — though with the added twist that he’d just wrapped up a new development project in downtown Grand Forks.

“Of course, the worst timing ever — we finished it, and the next month they shut the city down,” he joked.

Ritterman and his company have been a staple of major development in Grand Forks for years. He was behind Selkirk on Fourth, the condo development which, in a contentious fight over the city’s future, was built on top of Arbor Park. Dakota Commercial was also behind Pure North, the mixed-use building along DeMers Avenue that brought a Hugo’s grocery store downtown.

But the pandemic brought an unexpected change to the march of downtown progress. Across the country, workers fled offices, streams of walk-in customers ran dry and suddenly urban cores

faced a not-so-certain economic future. The effect was especially pronounced in major cities, where empty office towers and shuttered storefronts created a crisis of confidence in an urban future (“New York is Dead. Long Live New York,” one headline teased). Ritterman points out that government stimulus was key in saving balance books.

The result was a functional stress-test of urban cores, many of which have seen a resurgence in investment. In recent decades — with notable success since the Great Recession — many cities started focusing intensely on walkability, boosting the charm and the vibrancy of downtown centers, aided by programs like North Dakota’s “Renaissance Zone” system, which often offers steep tax incentives for developers in downtown areas.

KEVIN RITTERMAN, PRESIDENT OF DAKOTA COMMERCIAL, SAYS HE STILL SEES A STRONG FUTURE IN DOWNTOWN INVESTMENT. ERIC HYLDEN / FOR PRAIRIE BUSINESS continued on page 14

DO BU SI NE SS BE TT ER

Ex perienced Collaborative Re lationships

Multidisciplinary

At TSP, we believeingoingtheextra mile. We take thetime to talk ,brainstorm,and spend time togetherwhichallowsustowork bet terandcreate someof thearea’smost innovative solutions.

continued from page 12

That emphasis on downtown development has come a long way from the yesteryear pushes to build malls and commercial centers on the outskirts of cities. One of North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum’s hobbyhorses has been central urban development, part of a “Main Street Initiative’’ program that underscores the importance of downtown investment. “Vibrant community centers are a fundamental element of workforce development,” a state government website declares.

“Midwest cities, when they were originally built, most of them were designed around walkability,” said Mike Allmendinger, president of Fargo’s Kilbourne Group. “...but then soon after, they were designed around the automobile. And that happened across the entire Midwest.”

In that sense, the newly investors shaping downtowns in the upper Midwest often see themselves not just as building something new, but returning downtown cores to the accessible centers of city life that they once were.

Those pushes for new development are now transforming the Red River Valley, with a spate of new apartments and development both in Grand Forks and in Fargo. Cindy Graffeo, the executive director of Fargo’s Downtown Community Partnership, said that’s no surprise.

“(Younger people) want urban living and walkability, smaller footprints, more green living, proximity to the nightlife and restaurants and things to do,” she said. But she added that an interest in

downtown living is big for baby boomers, too, who often want to downsize without sacrificing lifestyle. “That’s really kind of what makes a downtown fun, is that it’s so attractive to so many different kinds of people.”

The Fargo-based Kilbourne Group has been one of the most notable companies regularly investing in the city, recently completing three buildings with a total 363 apartments in downtown Fargo this summer. But the headwinds in the post-pandemic world are still notable; with interest rates rising, financing for big projects is more expensive. With a recent surge in the cost of materials, construction costs more, too.

“I think it affects us every single day. We’re going back to the drawing board every day and sharpening pencils looking for new ways to do things, getting more efficient,” said Adrienne Olson, vice president of communication at Kilbourne. “We had to go back to subcontractors and get new bids and refigure all the financing costs. We did still start the project. But every single day we’re faced with interesting challenges.”

THE LANDING AT 1001 NP IN DOWNTOWN FARGO OFFERS 26 APARTMENT LAYOUTS WITH A FOCUS ON INDIVIDUALITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND MODERN COMFORT, ACCORDING TO ITS WEBSITE. DAN FRANCIS PHOTOGRAPHY / PROVIDED BY KILBOURNE GROUP

I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO LOOK AT THEIR DOWNTOWN AREAS AND INVEST IN THEM. THAT’S WHAT WE HAVE TO DO AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

- MCKENZY BRAATEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS AT WEST FARGO-BASED EPIC COMPANIES

It’s unclear when those headwinds will subside. As of this writing, Federal Reserve officials are still wrestling with significant inflation. It’s no longer the decades-high weight on the economy it once was, but still came in at a trailing 12-month 6.5% in December – leaving policymakers likely to hike borrowing costs further in 2023.

Jon Miskavige is president and CEO of Northridge Hospitality Management and Northridge Construction. He said he still sees downtown areas as a top-shelf real estate investment.

“I mean, we feel it’s probably the best place to be developing multifamily assets,” he said. “I think that the demand to live within the urban core (in) Fargo Grand Forks is probably the greatest it’s ever been.”

And for McKenzy Braaten, vice president of communications at West Fargo-based EPIC Companies, it’s a matter of duty to the community.

“The downtown, that’s the center. That’s the center of a lot of communities,” she said. “it’s not going away anytime soon. Some may take some hardships and fall on hard times. But that’s what’s getting re-built up…I highly encourage people to look at their downtown areas and invest in them. That’s what we have to do as community members.”

2023’s financial mantra:

Keep calm and plan accordingly

By Chris Wolf

Are we in a recession? What’s going to happen with the markets and interest rates this year? Will our economy hold up? What should we do to maintain our company’s financial health?

As business leaders wrap up their 2023 planning, these questions have been frequent topics of discussion. No one can predict the future, of course, but decision makers may be able to better prepare for potential uncertainties and make decisions from a position of strength by considering these key factors.

A strong regional economy protects against recession

A positive indicator for the year ahead is the economic performance our region experienced in 2022. Despite global economic challenges, many businesses in our region had a solid year and most remained profitable. From a banking perspective, we’re seeing strong balance sheets and continued high levels of liquidity and deposits heading into 2023, which indicates strong overall economic health in our region.

The current strength of our regional economy will help cushion against potential recessionary impacts. The question of whether we are already in a recession or heading that way this year remains debatable, but we believe current conditions suggest a recession could take hold later this year. While “recession” is a dreaded word, our region historically fares better than most during recessions, as do other smaller economic areas with diverse industries throughout the Midwest. We aren’t as vulnerable to the dramatic economic highs or lows that impact large economies on the East and West Coasts, and current local economic indicators, such as sales tax revenue, low unemployment, and travel data, suggest our region will experience continued overall steady economic performance in 2023.

Expect rising interest rates

Rising interest rates were a cross to

bear throughout 2022 and we

expect that will continue in 2023. The Federal Reserve is projected to continue raising short-term interest rates as they seek to beat back inflation, and while we are beginning to see signs of inflation slowing, the extent of rate hikes this year remains to be seen and will depend on the Fed’s ongoing evaluation.

Federal rate increases mean short- and potentially long-term borrowing costs will rise in 2023. In a rising rate environment, busi-

nesses planning capital expenditures this year are wise to lock in interest rates now. This will eliminate cost uncertainty and enable more accurate profitability forecasting. It is also a good time to evaluate cash flow plans with a financial advisor and review lines of credit to ensure there is sufficient capacity to meet the company’s anticipated needs.

Businesses entering 2023 with excess cash they are not planning to spend should explore options to increase returns. In an uncertain economic environment, it is smart business strategy to lean on the expertise of a financial advisor to help identify short-, mid-, and longer-term investment strategies that maximize yields until those funds are needed.

Competitive retirement and benefits win workforce

With sustained low unemployment, workforce recruitment and retention has been a hot button issue for some time in our region, and that will continue this year. A robust retirement and benefits package can contribute to a company’s success rate in attracting and retaining talent. Company leaders and human resources teams should review their packages to ensure they are providing competitive retirement savings plans and additional benefits, such as health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts, that empower their employees to plan and prepare for long-term financial wellness.

The recently enacted SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act 2.0 provides dozens of provisions that will impact employer plans and individuals beginning this year. After experiencing a pandemic and recent inflation, employees are more interested than ever in tools to help them prepare and save for the unexpected. Employers who can help them achieve those goals will gain a competitive edge in the workforce. A retirement plan advisor can help make sense of what is changing and where there may be opportunities to further enhance retirement and benefits offerings.

Thoughtful planning prevails

As we dive into a new year of uncertainty, challenges, and opportunities, it’s important to keep in mind that our region has a history of weathering economic fluctuations with relatively small impact. After an unusually long period of historically low interest rates a rising rate environment naturally sparks concern, but current rates are not abnormally high, historically speaking. And while recessions are challenging, they are not insurmountable. By taking an informed, thoughtful approach to financial planning, businesses will be better positioned to withstand and prevail in 2023.

Chris Wolf is a commercial banking executive and market president at Alerus. A certified public accountant, Chris has more than 25 years of experience in the financial industry, specializing in commercial finance. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Grand Forks Economic Development Corporation and is a member of the advisory and growth fund committees.

Chris wolf

KodaBank hits big cities in ND

Bank to have 12 locations in Minnesota ND

By Kevin Fee

What is now called KodaBank began in what is now a ghost town in western North Dakota.

The original bank was in Niobe, just west of Kenmare.

In the 1930s, the bank with a different name moved to Drayton, N.D., and became Drayton State Bank. Fast forward more than 90 years, and Drayton State Bank is now known as KodaBank and will have 12 branches when Fargo is added to the mix in summer 2023.

Cole anderson

Grand Forks is the latest addition, coming on board in August 2021.

“Smaller towns and communities have been kind of our niche,” said Pete Anderson, KodaBank president and board chairman. “But as communities get smaller and smaller and smaller, pretty soon you have to invest in larger markets. If you’re going to survive long term, you have to get into a more populated area.

“We hang our hat on being a small-town community bank with customer service No. 1 on the list.”

While KodaBank might be a new name to Grand Forks, it has

grown to be a regional leader in the banking industry after its start in small-town North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. Through mergers and acquisitions, KodaBank has branches in Minto, Hamilton, Drayton, Pembina, Neche, Walhalla, Cavalier and Grand Forks in North Dakota and Stephen, Kennedy and Bemidji in Minnesota.

The Fargo facility is under construction.

When Drayton State Bank merged with the State Bank of Minto in 2010, the name was changed to KodaBank. It didn’t feel right to have Drayton State Bank located in Minto.

How did bank leaders come up with the name change? Koda means “friend” in the Dakota Sioux language and Koda relates to the bank’s origin in North Dakota.

Anderson runs the office in Drayton, where he was born.

The dive into the larger markets of Grand Forks and Fargo was needed, Anderson said.

“There are a lot of good banks. But as they get larger and larger, their footprint pushes more probably towards bigger markets like the Twin Cities or Arizona.

“I think they lose some of the community bank vibe where everybody knows your name when you walk through the door, when you call the bank and there is actually an individual at the other end of the phone and not a machine.”

While KodaBank’s backbone has been agriculture, the bank looks

THE RECENTLY OPENED KODABANK LOCATION IN GRAND FORKS IS PICTURED ABOVE. ERIC HYLDEN / FOR PRAIRIE BUSINESS

forward to the diversity Grand Forks and Fargo will provide with more small-business loans.

Cole Anderson, market president for Grand Forks, said the bank has maintained its small-town feel while moving into the larger markets.

“Larger banks drive customers to bank online or with their smartphone,” he said. “While we offer those tools, our delivery model includes being able to come in and talk to us about a new CD or loan. Decisions are made by local people – not in another state or by a computer.”

He says the bank features people who serve hard-working customers.

“We try to be humble in serving our customers. We’ll grow by rolling up our sleeves, working hard and let customers tell others about why they enjoy banking with us,” Cole Anderson said. “The philosophy has also helped us be competitive with our products and also interest rates.”

Many customers grew up in rural communities and many have continued their banking with KodaBank in Grand Forks after relocating for college, jobs or to start a business.

From its humble beginnings in western North Dakota, the bank has gone through a lot of changes. Adding Grand Forks and Fargo to the operation elevated the company to a larger spot on the bank map.

Leaders in region consider impacts of tax revenue in 2022

By Sam Easter

It’s hardly a technical term, but for budget-makers and accountants at city halls and statehouses around the upper Midwest, 2022 was certainly a very odd year – with big changes on both sides of the ledger.

The tail effects of the pandemic were still roiling supply chains. Inflation surged, as did labor costs. Interest rates, on their steady march upwards, drove the cost of credit. But revenues grew, too, as many communities saw boosts in sales and property tax.

That invites tough questions about the future, as many communities are grappling with whether income or spending is winning a 2023 inflationary race to the top.

“I think they’re going to be in really, really close competition,” Fargo City Administrator Mike Redlinger said, pointing out that labor costs in particular are rising as public payrolls try to keep up with rising public sector pay.

One example, he said, is equipment operators with specialized licenses, who can easily job-hop into new roles and for whose retention competitive pay is important. “In that case, we really found that we needed to do some mid-year adjusting for that kind of tactical work.”

Rising property tax revenues and state aid have been a big help, Redlinger said, but added that Fargo will have to be strategic with new spending and stay “disciplined” with discretionary spending. There have been pinches in other places, too. Shawn Pritchett, the city of Sioux Falls’ director of finance, said he’s watched sales tax revenues rise quickly, but added rising prices have been notable, too.

“In a variety of areas, we saw bids coming in significantly over budget. We had one recently that was almost 100% over budget… and some of that is inflation. Some of it is just product availability.”

Mike Redlinger

And some of it, Pritchett, points out, is contractor availability, which owes to Sioux Falls’ rapid expansion, with projects keeping builders busy. That’s a good kind of problem – but there are, nonetheless, snarls with purchases and procurement that have come as the economy readjusts in the wake of so much change in so many places beyond city limits. There’s maybe no better example than a recent vehicle purchase.

“We were informed that our order was canceled by the manufacturer, and we had just a couple of days to reorder,” he said. “We had to do an emergency proclamation to avoid public bid issues in order for us to order vehicles in the hopes that we might get them in 2023 at a cost of $4,000 more per vehicle. So that’s just as one example of some of the challenges we’re dealing with.”

Already, there’s talk at City Hall about which projects need to be delayed in the hopes of a “better environment” in the future. Not everywhere is feeling the pinch. North Dakota’s budget office has had a sunny year, with revenues from sales tax to oil taxes likely leaving legislators flush with extra spending ability for the current two-year spending cycle. Joe Morrissette, who heads the state budget office, said that makes it easier for legislators in this cycle to answer questions about pay parity and operating costs.

“We’ve gotten those cost drivers pushing things up on the spending side, but then inflation also raises the cost of the goods and services

continued on page 23

Joe Morrissette

Kraus-Anderson begins construction on new Polytechnic Education Center at Bismarck State

North Dakota

By Sydney Mook

BISMARCK, N.D. - Work has begun on the only polytechnic education facility in the region.

Kraus-Anderson recently began construction on a new $35 million Polytechnic Education Center at Bismarck State College located at 1601 Edwards Ave. in Bismarck, N.D., the company announced. The building is the only polytechnic education facility in the region.

The 89,486-square-foot, state-of-the-art polytechnic center, which was designed by ICON Architectural Group, will feature project-based learning and nontraditional, hands-on collaborative working environments, Kraus-Anderson announced in a press release. The building will include two flex labs where business and industry can partner on developing projects and ideas; and provide space for operating and expanding new academic programming and equipment as well as advancing applied research.

The building, once completed, will be three stories and is set to have a skywalk connect to the Bismarck State College National Energy Center of Excellence. It will also house a live event venue, a digital hive and a security operations center (SOC) as well as other state-of-the-art learning environments, Kraus-Anderson said in the release.

“North Dakota has tremendous natural assets that support economic growth in our state,“ says BSC President Doug Jensen. “The decision to invest in our polytechnic mission aligns perfectly with the state’s economic growth projects.”

Gov. Doug Burgum has previously said the center will be of critical importance in helping North Dakota meet its workforce needs. State lawmakers approved and Burgum signed legislation in 2021 providing

- BSC PRESIDENT, DOUG JENSEN

$38 million for the BSC Polytechnic Education Center.

“Education has to be more responsive to workforce needs and more responsive to the signals from the private sector,” Burgum said during a 2021 press conference at BSC’s National Energy Center of Excellence. “This is far more than just a new building. This is a new pathway for higher education in North Dakota.”

The Polytechnic Education Center is expected to be completed in winter of 2024.

$35 million facility will serve as a new pathway for higher education in

THE DECISION TO INVEST IN OUR POLYTECHNIC MISSION ALIGNS PERFECTLY WITH THE STATE’S ECONOMIC GROWTH PROJECTS.

continued from page 21

that are subject to sales tax,” he said. “So we’re seeing tremendous growth in sales tax and individual income tax, (and) individual income tax has a strong correlation to oil price” in a state so close to the oil industry.

“In (budgetary) requests, we certainly saw agencies prioritizing salaries, and knowing that they’re in a incredibly competitive labor market,” Morrissette said of the recent beginning of the ongoing budgeting cycle, which will set funding from mid-2023 to mid-2025 for the state.

And just like city halls and statehouses, tourism bureaus have been profoundly affected by the eddies and currents of local economies, too – and their leaders have watched the same recent changes with a lot of interest. Julie Rygg, the executive director of Grand Forks’ tourism bureau, is optimistic about the future – she sees the community on a long trend upwards from the depths of the pandemic. But there are certain indicators that still need to fully recover, like Canadian border crossings, which she said were still down in October 2022 from three years before.

“Like a number of border cities, we rely so much on that Canadian travel,” Rygg said, and pointed out that a lot of visitation is closely tied to the value of currency. “I keep saying, that Canadian dollar improves — we’d be loving life right now.”

That means that, while there’s economic headwinds, leaders are plotting their next moves carefully.

“Durability is a theme I kept coming back to over and over in 2022. It’s going to guide us in 2023. We’ve got to be durable in our personnel model and in our budget model,” Redlinger said.

Tylden Kossan

Northland Community & Technical College

Major: Architectural Technology and Design

Graduation: May 2023

Career path: Architecture design or construction management

“It reinvigorated my love of architecture and design and the engineering behind everything.

A lifelong love of architecture

Northland Community and Technical College student enjoys architectural technology and design

By Ingrid Harbo

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. – For many, the COVID-19 pandemic changed how they live, work and interact with the world around them. For Tylden Kossan, the pandemic and the workforce challenges that came with it, pushed him to continue his studies in a field he has been interested in since childhood.

Kossan studies architectural technology and design at Northland Community and Technical College in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Set to graduate in May, the Grand Forks man is preparing to enter the workforce after graduation and is considering continuing his studies to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Kossan’s lifelong love of architecture stemmed from watching his father’s career in architecture and construction as a child.

“I’ve always been drawn to the design side of watching him do it,” said Kossan. “He did some freelance stuff, some residential home design and it always piqued my interest. Growing up, I played Legos a lot.”

Previously, Kossan studied civil engineering at UND, but did not graduate. While he did not finish a degree at UND, he met his wife there and the two settled down in Grand Forks. They now have two children. Kossan, originally from Alexandria, Minne -

TYLDEN KOSSAN IS AN ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN STUDENT, SET TO GRADUATE IN MAY. KOSSAN WENT BACK TO SCHOOL TO PURSUE ARCHITECTURE, WHICH HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN. ERIC HYLDEN / FOR PRAIRIE BUSINESS

sota, has lived in Grand Forks since 2011. When the pandemic started, Kossan was

working in sales at a brewery near Grand Forks, a job he still works today, but after seeing how the pandemic affected workers, he decided it was time for a change of pace.

“I kind of just decided that in order to take care of my family, and put us on the right path I needed to go back to school,” he said. “In looking at what I wanted to do and how to support my family best, it reinvigorated my love of architecture and design and the engineering behind everything.”

He chose Northland because it was a school with an architecture program close to home.

“It worked out perfectly, having this East Grand Forks campus,” he said. “The professors have been awesome.”

One thing Kossan has appreciated about Northland’s program is how straightforward it is. He says professors run the classroom like an office, creating a focused and structured learning experience for students.

“The programs we are learning are what we’re going to do when we get into the field, and the expectations are at the forefront of everything, so it kind of feels like I’m already in it a little bit,” he said.

In his final semesters, everything Kossan has learned at Northland is coming together in a couple design projects, including one to design a single family home that could get built.

Rod Lahren, architectural technology and design instructor at Northland, spoke highly of Kossan.

“His work ethic is really strong – he’s here every day, eager to learn,” Lahren said. “He gets into it right away.”

He said Kossan is one of his top students.

“I’d hire him tomorrow if I had a firm,” said Lahren.

Kossan says he is interested in pursuing a career in the design aspect of architecture or construction management and is interested in residential and commercial design. He’s also interested in large-scale projects like sports arenas, inspired by learning about the design process of Target Field in 2007 as a Minnesota Twins fan.

Ideally, he wants to work at a smaller firm.

“I would love to get into a smaller outfit that I can kind of grow in and grow up with,” he said. “I don’t really want to be somebody that jumps around from job to job or business to business.”

From Lego and baseball stadiums to classes at UND and Northland, Kossan has returned to a career path that always interested him.

“It’s kind of funny that I’m still going into the same world I wanted to go into, I’m just a lot more focused and have my priorities straight,” he said.

ISTOCK

Erik fabian Chris moen

Alerus promotes 3 to financial advisor roles in northern Valley

GRAND FORKS • Erik Fabian, Chris Moen, and Kari Vien have been promoted to financial advisor positions in recognition of their professional expertise and licensures.

Fabian, Moen, and Vien serve clients in the northern Red River Valley and apply their expertise to help individuals and families identify their specific needs and provide them with comprehensive advice to achieve their financial wellness goals. They specialize in holistic long-term financial planning for clients, including retirement planning, investment management, estate planning, and risk management.

Fabian joined Alerus in 2017. He holds Series 7 and Series 66 securities registrations and is licensed in accident, health, and life insurance and annuities in North Dakota and Minnesota. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of North Dakota Moen joined Alerus in 2015 and has 20 years of financial services experience. He holds Series 7 and Series 66 securities registrations and is licensed for life, health, annuity, and accident insurance in North Dakota and Minnesota. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business, with a focus on entrepreneurship, from UND Vien joined Alerus in 2009 and has more than 15 years of financial industry experience. She holds Series 7 and Series 66 securities registrations and is licensed for life, health, annuity, and accident insurance in North Dakota and Minnesota. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from UND and is currently pursuing the Certified Financial Planner designation.

Three employees take on new leadership roles in the Eide Bailly Fargo office

FARGO, N.D.• Eide Bailly, a top 25 CPA and consulting firm, has promoted three employees to leadership roles in the Fargo office. Eide Bailly is committed to investing in its employees and fostering a culture of personal and professional growth.

Brittany Dunn has recently been promoted to National Dealership Industry Leader. In this position, she provides direct dealership client support, while also leading a firmwide team in providing operational and growth strategy.

Kirk Lindemann has been promoted to National ESOP Leader. In this position, he provides direct comprehensive ESOP consulting and compliance services to clients and other ESOP affiliates. Kirk also works to guide firmwide growth and development strategies for this fastgrowing business ownership structure.

Effective May 1, Derek Flanagan will become the audit department head. In this role, he will oversee the audit department and lead a team of audit professionals in the Fargo office. As someone who truly values client service, Derek will continue to ensure the team helps clients identify positive changes through the audit and review process.

Ackerman-Estvold creates new role, Nathan Amick named construction engineering director

MINOT, N.D. • Nathan Amick is assuming the role of construction engineering director, he has been with Ackerman-Estvold since 2009, the company announced in January. He earned a bachelor’s of science degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University in Fargo,North Dakota, and passed his PE licenses in 2021.

Amick spent five years as an intern with the company, focusing on construction observation and engineering, before he started full time with the company following his graduation from NDSU in 2014. His initial focus within the company was within the water resources area, working on water modeling and water related project design, and also assisted with land acquisitions related to those design projects.

Amick transitioned to the construction engineering area to assist with administration and management of Ackerman-Estvold construction projects prior to the 2022 construction season. In 2023, he will move into a larger role of construction management leading the Ackerman-Estvold Construction Engineering department; leading the construction team to serve our clients as their construction liaison and continue the focus on growing relationships within the industry.

Brittany dunn Kirk lindemann

Derek flanagan

LISA CHAFFEE

Lisa Chaffee to become market leader at Eide Bailly

BISMARCK, N.D. • Lisa Chaffee, CPA, a partner at the Top 25 CPA and business advisory firm Eide Bailly, will become the new market leader for the firm’s Bismarck office.

In this new role, Chaffee will be responsible for strategic growth of the Bismarck office, fostering the firm culture and staff development, and ensuring client service remains a priority.

The market leader role will replace the partner-in-charge role, which was most recently held by Barb Aasen, CPA, who is now a regional assurance practice leader for Eide Bailly.

Insights&Intuition

Q.

INSIGHTs & INTUITION

How does your organization build up young leaders?

Kathryn Kester Community Relations Manager Xcel Energy Grand Forks, N.D.

As the former Executive Director of the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals, I knew my next role needed to be with a company that builds up young leaders. Fortunately, I was provided the opportunity to become a Community Relations Manager for Xcel Energy, a company that does just that.

Xcel Energy builds up young leaders by empowering us to create a brighter future for ourselves and the communities we serve through volunteerism and community involvement. Employees can leverage the Volunteer Paid Time Off program, receiving 40 hours a year to serve nonprofits during regular working hours. For the last 12 years, our company has hosted an annual Day of Service where employees across our eight states volunteer with more than 100 nonprofit projects, demonstrating a deep commitment to our communities.

Our company has offered internal Board of Director trainings to equip our employees with the tools and knowledge it takes to serve in a leadership role. Xcel Energy furthers this effort by working with employees to learn more about their passions and interests to help facilitate board placements. Right now, 277 employees serve on 535 nonprofit boards.

Since starting my role in June 2021, I have felt motivated by my leadership and the confidence they instill in me as a young professional. With support and encouragement from Xcel Energy, I have stepped into new roles in the community and have also had the opportunity to participate in the Grand Forks – East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program in 2022.

Our company values include being connected with one another and committed to keeping customers and communities at the center of all we do. Xcel Energy knows how to put these words into action.

We encourage our employees to have an entrepreneurial attitude and believe everyone has the opportunity and responsibility to be a leader. We provide a variety of internal continued learning and development opportunities for all employees seeking to develop their leadership skills, such as monthly virtual learning courses, an annual leadership development program, and mentorship from senior leaders. We also provide time away and cost reimbursement for employees pursuing professional certifications or participating in workshops or conferences to continue their education, advance their industry knowledge, and build leadership skills. Additionally, we strongly encourage our employees to be leaders in the community as well. We provide all full-time employees with six hours of paid time off each year to contribute their time and talent for local nonprofits and encourage our employees to serve as members of local boards and nonprofit organizations.

Teresa Wasvick

Director of Human Resources

Alerus Grand Forks, N.D.

Supporting the leadership growth and development of faculty, staff and students is a strength and priority of the University of North Dakota and builds on the expertise and skills diverse individuals bring to our campus.

UND’s Teaching Transformation and Development Academy offers mentoring programs for new faculty and staff. For new full-time faculty, the Alice T. Clark Mentoring Program offers two years of programming on select topics based on their needs, including best practices in teaching and evaluating teaching, faculty governance, inclusive classrooms, and problem solving around student issues.

The new faculty members are paired with mentors to ensure their success throughout their first year and into their second, if they choose. It supports new employees’ growth, sense of belonging and engagement, establishing supportive structures so they can realize their full potential.

New non-faculty staff also can participate in a semester-long program that highlights professional development opportunities, team building skills, technical training on software, and workshops on diversity, equity and inclusion. Staff members are paired with a mentor who is knowledgeable about UND and available to offer support and assistance to the new employee.

Students, too, have numerous opportunities to learn about and apply leadership skills through programs such as the Poolman Leadership Academy, academic courses, internships, campus employment, workshops, RecSports, Athletics and involvement in UND’s 250-plus student organizations.

These are just a few examples of the ways UND supports faculty, staff and students in their growth as Leaders in Action.

Krenelka is the executive director of UND Teaching Transformation and Development Academy, and Gerhardt is the associate vice president of UND

Student Affairs

Megan Bistodeau Assistant Vice President, Retail Manager Gate City Bank St. Cloud, Minnesota

University of North Dakota Grand Forks, N.D.

Our workplaces need great leadership. Great leaders are key to making changes, both big and small, which can have a positive impact on our world.

But leadership is about so much more than having the right job title in your email signature or years of experience on your resume. It’s something anyone can aspire to be – it’s a goal within everyone’s grasp.

That’s the mindset my fellow team members and I are empowered to live out each day at Gate City Bank. In my time with the bank, I’ve been very fortunate to have access to leaders who challenged me to grow, both personally and professionally. From my time as a part-time teller during college to my current role of managing three locations, the great leaders here believed in me every step of the way.

Gate City Bank recognizes that people lead with passion. Whether it’s providing exceptional customer experiences or discovering innovative solutions, each team member brings unique perspectives and ideas, which help our company – and our mission – succeed. Gate City Bank especially encourages team members to lead in their communities. The bank does this by allowing team members to volunteer for causes they care about – even during working hours. Team members are paid for their volunteer time, and the bank matches their volunteer hours with monetary donations to the charity. Team members identify an opportunity they’re passionate about serving, and the bank backs them 100%.

I’m thankful that Gate City Bank has given me the opportunity to serve the central Minnesota communities of St. Cloud, Waite Park and Sauk Rapids. By supporting me through training, leadership development and kindness, the bank has inspired me to lead, For a Better Way of Life.®

gettingback to business

Lynette Krenelka & Cassie Gerhardt

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

Area prices were down 0.5% in December, up 6.0% over the year. Midwest Region, December 2022

Prices in the Midwest Region, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, declined 0.5% in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Jan. 12. The index for energy decreased by 7.2% in December, mainly due to falling prices for gasoline. The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.1 percent, while the food index rose 0.3 percent over the month. Within the all items less food and energy index, prices for owners’ equivalent rent of residences contributed the most to the rise.

PERCENTAGE WORKED

69.8 percent of people who worked in 2021 worked full time, year round

A total of 166.8 million people worked at some point during 2021 in the United States, up by 1.2 million from 2020. The proportion of workers who worked full time, year round (that is, 50 to 52 weeks) rose from 63.1% in 2020 to 69.8% in 2021. Among men who worked in 2021, 74.6% worked full time, year round, compared with 64.5% of women. Labor market conditions continued to improve in 2021, reflecting the resumption of economic activity that had been curtailed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to contain it. Among those with work experience in 2021, 81.8% usually worked full time, up 0.9% from a year earlier. The proportion of men who usually worked full time increased by 0.4% in 2021 to 86.7%. The proportion of women working full time increased by 1.4 percentage points to 76.4%.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor

MANUFACTURING EXPORT PRICES

Manufacturing export prices up 5.8 percent over the year ended November 2022

Prices for U.S. exports increased 6.3% from November 2021 to November 2022, the smallest 12-month increase since February 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Prices for manufacturing exports increased 5.8% over the year ended November 2022, after increasing 11.8% over the year ended November 2021. Manufacturing export prices decreased 0.8% over the year ended November 2020, and 0.6% over the year ended November 2019.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily

INVOLUNTARY PART-TIME WORKERS

December 2022, Number of involuntary part-time workers in December 2022 below pre-pandemic levels

The number of people at work part time for economic reasons, also called involuntary part-time workers, totaled 3.9 million in December 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These workers would have preferred full-time employment but were working part time because their hours had been reduced due to slack work or they were unable to find full-time jobs. This was a half million fewer people than in February 2020, the month before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recession that resulted from it.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor

Ev ol ve d.

Perfectlydesignedtothriveinitsenvironment. Adaptableenoughtoevolvewiththetimes. Buildingsmartforasolidfuture.It’ssecond natureatKLJ.

KLJEN G.COM

Together—withthedoctorsyouknowandtrust—we’llfacethechallenges ofhealthcare,believingthatwithcommunityandcommitmentwecan buildsomethingbetter.Somethingbrilliant.Somethingrare.

Ourpromisetoyou is tocontinuedeliveringthehighqualityand personalizedcareyouandyour neighborsdeserve. Becausethisplace,thesepeople—arelikenowhereelse.