Prairie Business September 2016

Best Places to Work

JLG Architects employees participate in a lip sync contest during a company culture event. The Minneapolis, Minn.-based firm is among the 50 Best Places to Work for

to

for the full list of winners.

LISA GIBSON Editor 701.787.6753

lgibson@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

The Grand Unveiling

It’s here. The 2016 50 Best Places to Work list is unveiled in these pages, outlining the companies in our region with the most progressive policies, highest employee satisfaction, best opportunities for professional advancement and most engaging workplace culture, nominated by their own employees. It’s an honor our winners don’t take lightly. So we don’t take lightly our responsibility to select them.

Some companies were nominated based on their managers’ concern and interest in their employees’ well-being, both personally and professionally. Some were nominated based on benefits packages that go above and beyond, or on overall quality and commitment to mission and objective. Whatever the reason, our nomination spreadsheet was overflowing with employees eager to share what makes their workplaces great. From those entries comes this year’s list, encompassing a wide array of sectors and services from all over North Dakota, South Dakota and western Minnesota. Turn to page 36 to see our winners. Congratulations to them all.

This September issue of Prairie Business also features coverage of workplace wellness, a concept that goes beyond physical health. Blue Cross Blue Shield promotes six elements of health, encouraging companies to include all of them in their wellness programs. Find out what those six elements are and how to nourish them in A Culture of Health, starting on page 66.

We also delve into real estate this month, highlighting a unique and practical program developed by Gate City Bank that consolidates student loan debt with an affordable, fixed interest rate for the bank’s mortgage loan customers. Our sources say people with significant student loan debt sometimes can’t qualify for mortgage loans, or can’t qualify for the amount they need to get the homes they want. Gate City says the program is a win-win because it helps young people invest in their communities. Read what people who used the program have to say about its benefits, and how it works, starting on page 70.

Business Insider spotlights the chief operating officer of Midco — a woman who has discovered a passion in expanding female leadership opportunities and has dedicated much of her time in different roles within the company to it. She has worked in several positions with Midco and says her optimism and competitiveness have helped her get where she is today. Find it on page 34.

Capping our editorial is Construction Corner, featuring the beginnings of what developers hope will be an intricate community in Sioux Falls, S.D., with apartment buildings, restaurants, salons and other businesses, all within walking distance. One apartment building is up and another is on the way, building toward the anticipated nine, housing 2,000 residents. And developers of the project say the 80-acre tract is only becoming a better location as other businesses spring up around it. Find it on page 74. PB

KORRIE WENZEL, Publisher

STACI LORD, Ad Director

LISA GIBSON, Editor

KAYLA PRASEK, Staff Writer

BETH BOHLMAN, Circulation Manager

KRIS WOLFF, Layout Design, Ad Design

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Maintain Updated Information Systems

BY MATTHEW D. MOHR

Most people are aware of the disaster faced in August by Delta Airlines’ computer system malfunction. Almost every business faces the potential of a system crash. Packaged systems or internally developed programs all run the risk of errors and unanticipated operating problems both minor and major, so we all work diligently to avoid a business interruption caused by our computer system.

I am acquainted with a business owner from Chicago whose family has owned and operated many businesses over the years. The man has a strong personality and fights to dominate any industry he is involved with. Over time, he bought six different operating entities in the same industry across the Midwest, and in the process decided to keep each operation separate, allowing them to keep their systems in place. Unfortunately, none of the computer systems were consolidated or set up to “talk” to each other. The sales strategy employed was to cut prices and offer low margins and alternate goods to grow to a dominant market player. Market share was gained, and as a result of uncoordinated systems, many sales were made at profit margins

below actual operating costs. The businesses in combination grew to be rather large and eventually went bankrupt. To the best of my knowledge, the businesses did not face excessive daily operating challenges or system malfunctions, but attempting to run six related organizations on six different computer systems created a losing scenario.

Updating computer systems is a costly, time-consuming and frustrating endeavor, as is dealing with daily computer glitches that hamper productivity. Delta Airlines was chastised (in a small way) by some in the media as having outdated software — some built way back in the 1990s. For some, the 1990s don’t seem that long ago, but in the technology realm, it is considered outdated.

Deciding what to do about technology improvement and usage is a challenge for every business and each entrepreneur needs to determine the best course of action for his or her organization. PB

Matthew D. Mohr CEO, Dacotah Paper Co. Fargo, N.D. mmohr@dacotahpaper.com

–Kristen | Fargo, ND

One

Supplying

It’s hard to think of being anywhere else when you love what you do! Border States always has opportunities for personal and professional growth. It gives me an incentive to do my best every day.

A Changing Market

BY AMY HULLET

Afew years ago, buyers in the BismarckMandan real estate market couldn’t afford to wait long to make an offer on a home — and the offer needed to be strong to compete with other offers. Today’s buyers have more choices. The inventory of residential properties has doubled since 2011 when the market saw some of the tightest numbers in years. Still, today some properties are seeing multiple offers. Consider too that because buyers have options, nearly 100 more homes are under contract today than in 2011.

Depending on individual circumstances, some buyers are taking their time to make a decision and write an offer. Add to the mix that buyers have become more particular about the homes they purchase. Most buyers are looking for movein-ready homes in a certain price range and in a neighborhood that fits their lifestyle. And they’re looking for a wide variety of features and upgrades in their homes. Clients are looking for two-story homes, ranch style homes, a place where they can retire with less maintenance. There are those who want space and acreage, some want the charm of older homes, and still others are looking for the latest and greatest of features and finishes. Current buyers represent all generations from millennials to boomers.

As sellers are adjusting to a market with additional inventory, Realtors are providing more counseling and perspective to align sellers’ expectations. Depending on property types and price ranges, some listings will be on the market longer than others. We always keep in mind, however, that all it takes is the right buyer at the right time — and that could come within hours after a property hits the market, or six months later.

On the flip side, buyers also require guidance on finding homes and making offers. With additional inventory, buyers might think offers well

below asking price are acceptable. These “low ball” offers can offend sellers and cause them to reject the offer entirely without considering negotiating. Using comparable property sales and other statistics should be the basis for presenting serious offers to sellers.

A diverse economy has spared BismarckMandan from the market fluctuations happening in western North Dakota. An employment base that encompasses medical, education (at all levels), manufacturing, government, utilities and other businesses has allowed the area’s real estate market to maintain average sale prices on par with 2015 and a 5 percent increase in the number of residential properties sold through July 31.

On the new construction spectrum, building permits are up 5 percent from last year. Valuations of the permits are at $77.6 million for this year, a 10 percent increase from 2015.

While affordable housing continues to be a challenge in much of North Dakota, all buyers have options. First-time buyers can struggle with finding properties in line with their budgets and their expectations. It’s critically important for buyers to visit with a mortgage loan officer to see how much they will be qualified to spend on a home before beginning to shop. Current listings range from $23,000 to $2.8 million. Interest rates continue to be running historically low, which is a plus for buyers.

When we hear national reports on real estate and housing markets, we cannot assume the same is true for our own communities. All real estate is local.

Yes, there are changes in the market. The good news is that it’s not bad, it’s just change. PB

Amy Hullet President, Bismarck-Mandan Board of Realtors amy.hullet@century21.com

John Morrison & Beth Nodland Juniper LLC, Bismarck

3 Tips for Effective Planning

BY TIFFANIE HONEYMAN

Annual marketing planning is a must for new and experienced business owners. And with the explosion of “martech” (marketing technology), planning is almost paralyzing. But these three steps can ensure an effective plan for next year.

Track Performance

This might sound obvious, but many companies are not tracking their marketing performance. A lot of time can be saved during annual marketing planning if someone has been tracking the results along the way.

What should be tracked?

• Total spend-to-sales ratio: Looking at the historical marketing investment correlation to sales allows planning ahead for marketing costs. The objective is to find the most cost-effective marketing mix that brings in the most sales — know which channels have the greatest impact.

• Acquisition versus retention investment: Allocate and monitor the cost and tactics used to keep customers versus acquire them.

• Total reach by channel: Not all channels have an equally sized audience. Be sure vendors are providing audience sizes for the actual target audience, not a general number or age group.

• Cost-per-thousand (CPM) by channel: After determining how many people can be reached, find out how much it will cost to reach them. A CPM model allows a comparison of costs across all channels.

• Cost-per-conversion per channel: Divide the total spend for each channel by the total conversions for each channel. Multiple conversions (goals) can be set up in Google Analytics, so be sure to look at each one.

• Creative messaging: When measuring creative messaging, do it before the launch of the full campaign. Once it’s been determined which content (headline, images, etc.) resonates the most, use it in the campaign and compare one campaign against another.

• Web audience and content consumption: Google makes it easy to see where visitors come into a website, what their interests are, the volume and where they are spending their time before they convert (or exit without converting). This info is used to optimize sites for future visitors.

Set Goals

Once a baseline is established, set some goals. This is the most important part of marketing. Once the goals are set, forecast.

Establish Accountability

A marketing director should be mandating performance reports or hiring someone to do it. The reports need to show sales trends by category, as well as the performance by channel. Marketing plans are not “set it and forget it” — they are in a constant state of optimization.

Last, an accountant should be relied upon to help break out marketing in a chart of accounts, to tie marketing investments to the return by product or service. PB

Tiffanie Honeyman Founder and CEO, OpGo Marketing Fargo 701.630.1324 tiffanie.honeyman@opgomarketing.com

General Atomics completes first flight at Grand Sky

BY KAYLA PRASEK

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. flew its first flight of a company-owned Predator A July 28 at Grand Sky near Grand Forks, N.D. General Atomics began training its own air crews at its UAS Flight Training Academy in the city of Grand Forks in early July. The General Atomics UAS Flight Training Academy is now open to external students.

“Every second of every day, there’s 60 of our aircraft flying,” says David Alexander, president of General Atomics. “Each aircraft flies an important mission, saving lives, working on counterterrorism, protecting our borders, providing homeland security. The Training Academy will fill a gap going forward, and we’re working with leading industry partners, including the University of North Dakota, and local industry partners, including the UAS Test Site. We’ll provide state-of-the-art training, will operate year-round and will be able to teach about 100 private students per year. This will benefit our domestic and international air crews.”

Tom Swoyer, president and partner of Grand Sky Development Co., says General Atomics’ first flight was “yet another monumental day for Grand Sky, General Atomics, North Dakota and the entire UAS industry. After four years of development, large commercial UAS are flying from Grand Sky, marking one more step toward fully integrating commercial UAS into the national airspace.”

Classroom and simulator instruction will take place at the Training Academy classroom facilities, located at 4775 Technology Circle in Grand Forks. Flight instruction will be held at General Atomics’ temporary hangar at the Grand Sky UAS business and aviation park, located adjacent to the Grand Forks Air Force Base. Construction of a state-of-the-art, 16,000-square-foot Flight Operations Center began in November 2015 and is expected to be completed in spring 2017. PB

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. has begun flying its Predator A unmanned aircraft from Grand Sky, west of Grand Forks, as part of the company’s UAS Flight Training Academy. IMAGE: JM PICTURES

One of General Atomics’ Predator B unmanned aircraft completes a flight. IMAGE: GENERAL ATOMICS

Classroom and simulator instruction will take place at General Atomics’ UAS Flight Training Academy facilities in the city of Grand Forks, shown in this rendering.

IMAGE: GENERAL ATOMICS

NDSU School of Nursing gets rural health care education grant

BY LISA GIBSON

North Dakota State University’s School of Nursing has received a $151,200 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide scholarships for students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice/Family Nurse Practitioner program. The goal is to help educate future health care professionals who will serve rural areas that grapple with a shortage.

The scholarships are available to students who participate in rural training clinics or at an Indian Health Services Clinic. They will range from $4,000 to $8,000 per semester, according to NDSU.

“We have found those students who spend time in a rural clinic have an increased likelihood of returning to a rural practice site after graduation,” says Dean Gross, assistant professor of nursing at NDSU. “With our acute shortage of rural primary care services in the region, family nurse practitioners have been filling this vital capacity.” Several counties in North Dakota are without any health care providers now, he adds.

The NDSU School of Nursing provides advanced nursing training in Fargo and at Sanford Health in Bismarck., N.D. Since 2004, more than 90 percent of NDSU’s advanced practice graduates in nursing remain within 230 miles of their training, helping to serve rural areas, according to NDSU.

“Our student applications have been on the rise — we hear how they want an on-site or face-to-face education,” Gross says. “The grant funds allow us to help defray the costs associated with graduate education at NDSU. In turn we are able to promote rural clinical sites and increase the rural primary care workforce. As a land grant institution, our goal is to improve the lives of all residents. We feel this will make a difference.” PB

Lisa Gibson Editor, Prairie Business 701.787.6753 lgibson@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

“We have found those students who spend time in a rural clinic have an increased likelihood of returning to a rural practice site after graduation.”

Dean Gross

Assistant Professor of Nursing North Dakota State University

Students and faculty conduct training exercises in North Dakota State University’s nursing skills lab. IMAGE: NDSU SCHOOL OF NURSING

Midco finishes $5 million fiber extension in North Dakota

Construction is complete on a 106-mile, $5 million Midco fiber network that connects Williston, Bismarck and Minot in North Dakota. The extension also provides a redundancy measure that would reroute network traffic in the event of a fiber cut, according to Midco.

“It’s vital that we provide reliable services to communities, homes and businesses (in) western North Dakota to help them thrive and grow,” says Justin Forde, director of public affairs for Midco, in a statement. “After experiencing fiber cuts caused by third parties in recent years, Midco wanted to make the investment to ensure the region has the communications services it needs.”

Extra care was taken while burying the new fiber line to ensure the care and protection of the surrounding environment, according to Midco. The company used state-of-the-art digging equipment to reduce environmental impact, especially in the North Dakota Badlands region where part of the line

runs. “We used a unique piece of equipment — a static plow that’s one of two in the United States,” says Erin Hayes, Midco’s director of corporate construction. “Midco wanted to limit how we impacted the landscape, ensuring a timely recovery for the areas where the fiber was placed.”

Midco’s core Northern Plains Network stretches 8,400 miles across North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.

“North Dakotans have long been connected by strong community bonds,” says Julie Fedorchak, chairwoman of the North Dakota Public Service Commission, in a statement. “Today, these bonds are increasingly dependent on fiber networks that connect us not only to each other but to the global marketplace. This new investment by Midco is a real asset to western North Dakota and as vital to that region as the roads, pipelines and other infrastructure being built there.” PB

Black Hills State University named among best colleges for Native American students

BY LISA GIBSON

Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D., has been selected as a Top 200 College for Native Americans by Winds of Change magazine. The list is national and is not ranked, according to BHSU.

“This distinction recognizes the academic and social climate of BHSU as especially supportive to American Indian students and their unique needs,” says Corinne Hansen, Director of University and Community Relations at BHSU. “BHSU has the highest percentage of Native American students among the state public universities in South Dakota. We consider it an honor to be on this list because it recognizes our commitment to provide a strong foundation for American Indian students to grow, learn and reach the ultimate goal of graduation with a degree.”

The major criteria for being selected for the list include support of the American Indian community and a high percentage of Native students who graduate. BHSU has a Center for American Indian Studies, which promotes awareness of American Indian cultures and value systems, according to BHSU. The center also administers four academic programs: a major and minor in American Indian studies and two minors in American Indian studies with an emphasis on teaching or communications.

“The history of BHSU serving American Indians is strong,” Hansen says. For the past 33 years, the Lakota Omniciye American Indian student organization has hosted the Annual Lakota Omniciye Wacipi during American Indian Awareness Week, she adds. BHSU also implements two federally funded programs for Native students: South Dakota Jump Start, which helps students succeed in college through financial and academic assistance; and the South Dakota Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP), which seeks to increase the number of low-income students prepared to enter post-secondary education.

“BHSU is located in an important spiritual place for American Indians,” Hansen says. “It is very powerful for our students to be on campus in Spearfish and Rapid City, in the heart of the Black Hills. It is also a comfort for American Indian students to live, learn and grow right here in the Black Hills of South Dakota.” PB

Lisa Gibson Editor, Prairie Business 701.787.6753 lgibson@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

LEFT: Seth Arndorfer, CEO of Dakota Carrier Network, announces DCN’s statewide Wi-Fi network Aug. 16 at the State of Technology conference in Fargo. IMAGE: DENNIS KRULL/5FOOT20 DESIGN LOUNGE

ABOVE: From left: Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Seth Arndorfer, CEO of Dakota Carrier Network, and Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, at the State of Technology conference. IMAGE: DENNIS KRULL/5FOOT20 DESIGN LOUNGE

Dakota Carrier Network launches statewide Wi-Fi

BY KAYLA PRASEK

Dakota Carrier Network, a provider of broadband and other internet-related services to customers throughout North Dakota, along with its 15 owner companies, announced Aug. 16 it is launching a Wi-Fi network that will allow customers to access DCN’s secure network throughout the state.

CEO Seth Arndorfer made the announcement at the State of Technology conference in Fargo, an annual event hosted by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce and Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) to highlight technological innovations being made in the region.

While Arndorfer noted that DCN has 40,000 miles of fiber optic cable in the ground, bringing high-speed internet to nearly every community in North Dakota, he said “connectivity is about more than just fiber infrastructure.

“Let’s face it — we as consumers want to access what we want, where we want, whenever we want to,” Arndorfer said. “Hot spots and expanded cellular data plans are becoming more common in response to consumer demand, but the reality is, not all Wi-Fi is the same. Through this initiative, DCN and our owners are leveraging investments in fiber and gigabit capacity to create a more secure, user-friendly, statewide solution to that growing demand for mobile access.”

Work has already begun on installing access points for the Wi-Fi network, beginning with Red River Technologies in southeast North Dakota. Statewide connectivity is expected to be complete within 24 months. Anyone who subscribes to service from DCN or its 15 owner companies will have access to the Wi-Fi network.

“We have the fiber in the ground. We have the capacity,” Arndorfer said. “Now we need to give you the same experience on your mobile device as if you were hardwired to the network.”

The Information Technology Council of North Dakota also announced the 2016 North Dakota IT Awards at the State of Technology conference. Marco, headquartered in St. Cloud, Minn., was named the Premier IT Business, while the Greater FargoMoorhead Economic Development Corp. was named the North Dakota IT Champion and the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum in Bismarck, N.D., was named the Technology Innovator. PB

Kayla Prasek

Staff Writer, Prairie Business 701.780.1187

kprasek@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

National Institutes of Health funds

UND scientist’s Lyme disease research

BY KAYLA PRASEK

Catherine Brissette, an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, started studying spiral-shaped bacteria during her doctoral studies, and started studying Lyme disease as a postdoctoral fellow. That research followed her to UND.

The National Institutes of Health has awarded Brissette more than $380,000 to pursue a unique approach to fend off the effects of Lyme disease. Brissette’s study will look at how exposure to the bacteria that causes Lyme disease leads the DNA in cells to change and cause chronic inflammation.

“Controlled trials of long-term antibiotic treatment for post-treatment Lyme disease symptoms have failed to show benefits,” Brissette says in a statement. “If active infection is not responsible, what causes the persistent, lingering symptoms in patients treated with long-term antibiotics? Our data suggest (this bacteria) is a ‘hit-and-run’ pathogen, and the presence of live bacteria is not required to drive persistent inflammation.”

Specifically, Brissette’s study will look at a type of RNA called microRNA that, instead of communicating DNA code to build proteins in the cells, act to stop the process. Brissette’s previous research has shown that certain microRNA increase in cells after exposure to the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

Ultimately, Brissette tells Prairie Business, she and her research team hope to “identify biomarkers that we can use either as diagnostic tools — does this patient have Lyme disease? — or as indicators of disease

progression — this person has Lyme disease; when we see this biomarker it tells us the person is improving; if we see this marker we can predict this person is more likely to have prolonged symptoms and we need to treat more aggressively.”

The NIH funding will be used for materials and supplies for the research, as well as to support the salaries of technical staff and a graduate student. “The biggest expense is usually salaries,” Brissette says. “Grants are good for the local economy, because it means I can hire staff to help do the research.”

Other researchers working with Brissette are Timothy Casselli, a UND postdoctoral researcher, and Derick Thompson, a UND graduate student. PB

Kayla Prasek Staff Writer, Prairie Business 701.780.1187

Catherine Brissette

NDSU awarded colon cancer research grant

BY LISA GIBSON

Researchers in North Dakota State University’s College of Health Professions will use a $435,000 competitive grant to study unique therapies to combat colon cancer and lessen chemotherapy side effects. The competitive grant comes from the National Cancer Institute and the Institutes of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health.

Some studies have shown that diets high in Omega 6 fatty acids play a role in cancer development, which might be caused by a membrane-bound enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX), according to the NDSU College of Health Professions. COX can catalyze many of the fatty acids in the body that form harmful products thought to promote cancer growth. “Cancer patients often have high COX-2 levels from cancer cells and tumors and current cancer treatment focuses on limiting those high levels,” says Steven Qian, the study’s principal researcher and assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences in NDSU’s School of Pharmacy, in a statement. “This classic approach to develop COX-2 inhibitors as drugs, however, could limit the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs and also result in safety concerns.” COX-2 inhibitors used in cancer treatment can severely injure the gastrointestinal tract, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, he says.

“This research has a novel strategy and focuses on the development of a potential cancer therapeutic approach,” Qian tells Prairie Business. “We explore the commonly high expression levels of COX-2 in cancer and the more abundant Omega 6 fatty acids in human diets. There is no similar research already conducted at NDSU and any other place, as this is a paradigm-shifting research for COX biology in cancer.”

It’s unclear precisely how Omega 6 fatty acids can influence human health, but Qian’s lab has demonstrated they could have beneficial effects similar to Omega 3 fatty acids, which are commonly manipulated for use in cancer treatment. Preliminary data from Qian’s lab show that through COX-catalyzed peroxidation, Omega 6 fatty acids produce exclusive free radicals that inhibit cancer growth, according to Qian. Meanwhile, its downstream product produces free radicals that could stimulate cancer growth. His team will further investigate the underlying mechanisms to develop a workable approach for a new colon cancer therapy or a complement to current chemotherapies.

“It might change the ways for future treatment as well as preventing cancers,” Qian says. “A new concept about treating cancers could be established from the study, which will set NDSU apart from other research institutions in cancer research.”

Charles Peterson, dean of NDSU’s College of Health Professions, says in a statement, “This competitive grant award recognizes the high caliber of research conducted in the College of Health Professions and the significant role of pharmaceutical sciences faculty in contributing to help develop solutions to treat diseases such as cancer.”

“The outcome of this research could guide us in optimizing the effectiveness of colon cancer therapies and potentially assure safer outcomes for cancer patients,” Qian tells Prairie Business. PB

Lisa Gibson Editor, Prairie Business 701.787.6753

Steven Qian, assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences in North Dakota State University’s School of Pharmacy, is leading research into a colon cancer treatment that focuses on Omega 6 fatty acids.

IMAGE: NDSU COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS

WINDING PATH

Bismarck State College’s many technical degrees often are touted as a path to a great career in two years or less.

Identical twins Steve and Michael Lannoye leveraged their BSC degrees in Power Plant Technology as a foundation for four-year degrees. Both circled back to energy, eventually — better prepared for the field.

As identical twins sometimes do, Steve and Michael had similar interests growing up and took similar classes in school. When it was time for college, they both attended BSC, graduating in 2005.

Steve then went on to Minnesota State University-Moorhead, where a 2+2 program allowed him to couple his technical degree with a business element. He graduated with a BS in Op-

erations Management in 2008. After graduation, he got married, moved home to Bismarck and worked at a local bank.

His brother, who also had earned a four-year degree (in accounting), was at Basin Electric Power Cooperative by then and encouraged him to give the energy industry another shot.

After a short stint in an ethanol plant, Steve landed a job as a laborer at Antelope Valley Station in September 2014.

Laborers keep the plant site clean, caring for everything from plant site grounds and mobile equipment to supporting hand work required in the most critical excavations. It was a significant adjustment going from a shirt-and-tie banking role to a laborer.

“Sometimes it was difficult.

‘BASin’s a great company to work for. If you come in and want to work toward a specific kind of job, they’ll set up a track to get you there.’

I asked myself ‘what am I doing?’ more than once, but I also knew that this wasn’t my endgame,” Steve said.

He became a coalman, and then an opportunity that combined his BSC education and his banking background arose. Basin Electric had recently moved its commodity and energy trading function inhouse and was looking for real-time traders and schedulers.

“I toured the trade floor and was like, yeah, this is interesting and something I think I could do well.”

The trade floor at Basin Electric is a miniature version of a commodity exchange or a brokerage house focused solely on energy commodities — oil, natural gas, coal, etc. Two tiers of stadium seating and desks with phones ringing off the hook are anchored by a back wall of screens tracking trends and commodity prices, showing maps and graphs.

Steve was hired as a real-time trader in May, finding and purchasing affordable electricity from the grid for Basin Electric cooperative members.

“I talk to control room operators a lot. When they tell us what’s going on, I have a good feel for what that means because of my (BSC) technical degree.” He says the economic principles learned at MSUM help as he searches for the best price. His time as a laborer also has proven valuable.

“The biggest thing on a real-time desk is communicating with plant operators. I have a good concept of general power plan ops. My colleagues appreciate that I know that, for instance, a tripped ID fan could take a plant down for a while.”

Steve recently completed his training on the

trade floor, which included Basin Electric-sponsored industry training courses at BSC, and he began working independently in August. His twin is finishing his apprenticeship in mechanical maintenance at the Leland Olds Station, which is Basin Electric’s first coal-based facility. While their paths to the career they initially pursued meandered and detoured, Steve says both he and his brother are glad to be in energy and, especially, at Basin Electric.

“Basin’s a great company to work for. If you come in and want to work toward a specific kind of job, they’ll set up a track to get you there,” Steve says.

To learn more about BSC’s energy programs, visit bismarckstate.edu/energy.

To learn more about careers at Basin Electric, visit basinelectric.com.

REAL-TIME

Your energy starts here.

Be the light.

The world we share provides abundant vitality –time with those we love and beautiful landscapes to explore. It’s why we use our natural resources to create electricity in the cleanest, safest manner possible. To us, it’s more than delivering light, it’s being a light for our members and our communities by ensuring our environment remains vibrant for all future generations.

basinelectric.com/bethelight

Wells Fargo hires Bismarck business relationship manager

ShaLee Bitz has been named business relationship manager for Wells Fargo in Bismarck, N.D.

Bitz has almost 10 years of financial services experience. She began her career as a credit manager for the former Wells Fargo Financial in White Bear Lake, Minn., and also worked as a sales specialist, team lead and supervisor. She then worked as a business sales consultant for Wells Fargo Merchant Services in Bloomington, Minn. Outside of Wells Fargo, she worked as a senior financial analyst for OptumInsight.

Bitz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a degree in accounting from St. Catherine University in St. Paul.

CHS names San Miguel risk management services VP

CHS Inc., a farmer-owned cooperative and a global energy, grains and foods business headquartered in Inver Grove Heights, Minn., has appointed Manuel San Miguel to the newly created position of vice president of risk management services.

San Miguel has been with CHS since 2011 as vice president of enterprise strategy and planning. He is a graduate of Inter-American University in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He holds a double bachelor’s degree in accounting and marketing, and is also a certified public accountant.

Alerus Financial Corp. promotes McConn

Alerus Financial Corp., headquartered in Grand Forks, has promoted Ann McConn to executive vice president, overseeing the Retirement and Benefits Division and Wealth Management Division. McConn has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, including previously serving as executive director of the Wealth Management Division since 2014, and before that, as market president for Alerus’ Fargo/ West Fargo, N.D., market.

McConn received a law degree from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, and a master’s degree in business from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Financial Planner designations.

WCCO Belting names business development VP

WCCO Belting, located in Wahpeton, N.D., has named Jean Voorhees its vice president of business development. Voorhees brings more than 20 years of international business experience in leadership positions with several well-known multinational, billion-dollar companies. Her focus has been on global strategic marketing, distribution management and new product development. Voorhees has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural economics from North Dakota State University in Fargo.

Midco names technology SVP

Midco, headquartered in Sioux Falls, S.D., has named Tom McAdaragh its new senior vice president of technology.

Most recently, McAdaragh served as senior vice president of operations and vice president of engineering at SONIFI Solutions, which delivers interactive TV, mobility, internet and other services to the hospitality and health care industries worldwide.

McAdaragh holds bachelor’s degrees in electronics engineering technology and computer science from Minnesota State University.

AE2S hires real estate program coordinator

AE2S has hired Joe Herbst as a real estate program coordinator in the firm’s Fargo office.

Before joining AE2S, Herbst worked for the State of Wyoming in the Governor’s Office, Legislature, and State Lands Office, as project manager and independent land agent for land acquisitions for renewable energy projects, and as the sustainability coordinator at Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Herbst holds a Bachelor of Arts double major in Political Science and Environment and Natural Resources from the University of Wyoming in Laramie and is working to complete a Master of Science degree in Natural Resource Management from North Dakota State University in Fargo.

Jean Voorhees

Ann McConn

Tom McAdaragh

Joe Herbst

ShaLee Bitz

Trent Siemers

Manuel San Miguel

Williston State college names student life coordinator

Karissa Kjos has joined Williston (N.D.) State College as the new student life coordinator.

Kjos holds a degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She most recently served as executive director for the Williston Downtowners Association. Before that, she was the event coordinator for the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce.

University of Mary names Master of Public Administration director

The University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., has named William G. Goetz director of its new Master of Public Administration program. The 36-credit program in the University of Mary’s Gary Tharaldson School of Business will include optional concentrations in a variety of fields, such as project management, energy management and health care.

Goetz has served as chief of staff for two former North Dakota governors, chancellor of the North Dakota University System and a state senator and representative.

Choice Financial hires Verghis

Dannelle Verghis recently joined Choice Financial in West Fargo, N.D., as a customer service representative/personal banker.

Verghis attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., and received a degree in business management.

Eide Bailly adds to technology advisory team

Kirsten Henagin has joined regional certified public accounting and business advisory firm Eide Bailly LLP as a technology advisory associate in Fargo.

Henagin joins the Eide Bailly Technology Consulting team after earning her Bachelor of Arts in Business and Global Studies from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn.

Gate City Insurance Agency hires Gruenberg

Shawn Gruenberg has been hired as an insurance adviser for Gate City Insurance Agency at Gate City Bank’s downtown Moorhead, Minn., office.

Gruenberg joins Gate City Insurance Agency with more than 16 years of experience in the insurance services industry.

Gruenberg received a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.

Network Center Inc. announces new hires

Technology solution provider Network Center Inc., of Fargo, has announced the addition of software developer Katie Schuler, support specialists Joshua Roberts and Kody Krier, business development manager Ashley Dyste, and application developer Alex Paulson.

Schuler graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead and brings more than 11 years of experience, most recently with AFBIS Inc.

Roberts is currently pursuing a degree in information technology from Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Moorhead. He brings eight years of industry experience.

Krier graduated from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kan., and brings four years of experience, most recently with Daily’s Premium Meats.

Dyste graduated from Kaplan University and brings two years of experience, most recently with Leighton Broadcasting in Grand Forks.

Paulson recently graduated from North Dakota State University in Fargo. Paulson joins the Network Center Inc. team after working at Western State Bank as an intern.

Dannelle Verghis

Kirsten Henagin

Kody Krier

Karissa Kjos

William G. Goetz

Joshua Roberts

Shawn Gruenberg

Ashley Dyste

Alex Paulson

Katie Schuler

Collaboration and Participation

BY LISA GIBSON

When did you start working for Midco and what positions have you held since then?

I started in 1984 at Sioux Falls Cable Television, which was a Midco partner at that time. I worked in accounting as part of the management team, which provided a great opportunity to learn finance, operations, marketing, sales and more. I then moved to corporate accounting where I eventually assumed company-wide responsibilities for payroll, then benefits, and ultimately became vice president of human resources. In October 2015, I was thrilled to accept the chief operating officer position. Throughout my career, I’ve remained close to the operations side of the business, which is a significant benefit as I lead this new role.

What barriers have you had to overcome to get where you are?

I grew up in rural South Dakota, graduating from high school in the 1970s. In this area and time, it was a common belief that there was little value for women to have a college education, so I did not pursue a degree then. While I was fortunate to have positions with on-the-job training, I came to a point in my career when it was increasingly difficult to move to the next level without a college degree. In 2005, I became serious about my education when working in HR for Midco. I enrolled in an accelerated program at Concordia University in St. Paul and had an amazing experience.

You’ve told Prairie Business in the past that you’re passionate about expanding female leadership opportunities. What opportunities have you

helped create and how have you done it?

I discovered my passion for expanding female leadership opportunities when I was in HR. There is no silver bullet, but instead a number of factors need to work together. It starts with a culture of supporting and embracing the expansion of opportunities for women. Midco has been developing this culture for several years. I’m proud to play a role in building on this — by making it part of our business strategy at Midco, setting targets for improvements and creating new leadership paths for women.

A few successes we’ve seen include developing a strong pipeline of top talent, creating an inclusive and diverse work environment, promoting work-life balance and encouraging women to participate in leadership training and mentoring programs. I’m excited to again host Midco’s annual women’s leadership summit this fall, which focuses on professional development in the workplace and provides women leaders at Midco an opportunity to create new connections with their peers.

In HR and in my current operations role, I firmly believe that this makes good business sense and will result in wins for our employees, our company and our customers.

Debbie Stang Chief Operating Officer Midco Burnsville, Minn.

Debbie Stang

Debbie Stang, chief operating officer for Midco, meets with Steve Schuster, the company’s vice president of treasury, risk and human resources.

IMAGE: MIDCO

Debbie Stang, chief operating officer for Midco, employs a specific leadership style that has helped her climb the ladder to the position she holds today. She has a passion for expanding leadership roles for women, enjoys working with Midco’s customers, and lives and works by the golden rule.

What does a typical work day entail for you?

As with many jobs, there is no typical day, but I can count on reading and answering many emails every day. My leadership style is collaborative and participative. This tends to lead to a workday that includes many face-to-face meetings, brainstorming sessions and working in a more team-based environment.

What is the most rewarding part about your job?

I’m grateful for the opportunities that have come my way and were made possible with help from others. I find it incredibly rewarding to give back and help others grow their careers in the way I was helped. I also lead Midco’s efforts to continually deliver an exceptional customer experience by always looking for opportunities for improvement. It’s rewarding when customers share feedback on how we made a positive difference for them.

What character traits do you think have helped you excel in management positions?

I’ve been told I have a high level of energy and optimism, and can be competitive. I truly enjoy working, find satisfaction from being busy and productive, and want to do the best I can at everything I do. This likely comes from the work ethic influence I had growing up on a farm in South Dakota.

Finally, one of my favorite quotes is by Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This really speaks to the golden rule of treating others how you want to be treated — and striving to live by this has helped me professionally and personally. PB

Lisa Gibson Editor, Prairie Business 701.787.6753 lgibson@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

50 BEST 2016 Business

PLACES TO WORK

This list of great workplaces has become a staple of Prairie Business’ coverage, awaited eagerly by the nominees and the employees who nominate them. These companies have succeeded in creating environments that foster collaboration and fun, provide ample opportunities for their employees’ professional growth, and implement corporate structures that allow input from all team members through the ranks. Congratulations to all this year’s winners, chosen from almost 950 nominations. They are excellent role models for forward-thinking, team-driven success.

ABOVE: Lloyd Cos. employees show a few family members around a job site while the kids learn what mom and dad do for a living. Lloyd Cos., located in Sioux Falls, S.D., is family-owned and believes people are the foundation of great projects. The company prides itself on extending the Lloyd family values of integrity, honesty and relationships not only to its team at Lloyd Cos., but also to its vendors, customers, clients, residents and the community. IMAGE: LLOYD COS.

BELOW: AGVISE Laboratories, headquartered in Northwood, N.D., hosts dealer appreciation days to thank its customers for doing business with the company.

IMAGE: AGVISE LABORATORIES

BELOW: What’s your superpower? Every employee brings a special set of superpowers and strengths to Schuneman Equipment Co., headquartered in Milbank, S.D., to help meet customers’ needs in a timely and efficient manner. Each superhero employee plays an important role in providing a premium level of personalized services to customers, helping SEC develop partnerships within the ag equipment and technology industry.

IMAGE: SCHUNEMAN EQUIPMENT CO.

RIGHT: Cornerstone Bank Chairman Gary Petersen in discussion with the bank’s team members. The Cornerstone culture is built on providing accessible expertise to both team members and customers. IMAGE: CORNERSTONE BANK

ABOVE: Matt Langemo, customer relations manager at All-Terrain Grounds Maintenance in Fargo, golfs at Golf Addiction for an All-Terrain team event. Throughout the year, All-Terrain has team events ranging from company olympics to a paintball tournament. “When planning events, we try to accommodate the varied interests of our team. The goal is to enhance our company culture, and if we provide some amusement for our team while doing so, it is just an added bonus,” Langemo says.

IMAGE: ALL-TERRAIN GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

ABOVE: Click Rain, located in Sioux Falls, S.D., hosts a company picnic each summer to bring employees and their families together in a relaxed atmosphere. Events like company picnics help create a work-life balance.

ABOVE: Sundog employees Greg Ewing-lee, Chris Kulish, Sarah Deutsch and Renee Cook gather in the company’s break room for a team meeting. Sundog, headquartered in Fargo, provides its employees with free soda and Starbucks coffee to perk up and free beer and wine to wind down, along with no dress code, flexible schedules, off-site work options and fun events.

ABOVE: A group of JLG Architects employees competed in the Tough Mudder mud run this year as a fun way to encourage team building outside of the office. JLG is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn.

IMAGE: JLG ARCHITECTS

ABOVE: Fisher Industries employees and spouses take part in the company’s annual golf scramble. Every year has a unique theme. The theme in this photo was “Twisted Fisher: I Wanna Rock!” This event is meant to let employees unwind and have fun as well as promote team building. Fisher Industries is headquartered in Dickinson, N.D. IMAGE: FISHER INDUSTRIES

IMAGE: CLICK RAIN

IMAGE: SUNDOG

ABOVE: Midco employees in West Fargo, N.D., have new workspaces after a $3 million expansion that includes a new MidcoSN studio for North Dakota State University basketball coverage. IMAGE: MIDCO

BELOW: Volunteerism is an important aspect of Obermiller Nelson Engineering’s culture. ONE employees and family members spent a day giving back at the Great Plains Food Bank in Fargo, where ONE is headquartered.

IMAGE: ONE

ABOVE: Midwest Fire believes that a fire truck is only as good as the team that stands behind it. Midwest Fire is located in Luverne, Minn. IMAGE: MIDWEST FIRE

ABOVE: Odney, headquartered in Bismarck, N.D., takes new employees out to lunch to welcome them to the company and introduce them to their coworkers in a relaxed setting.

IMAGE: ODNEY

Headquarters: Northwood, N.D.

Employees: 65

Description: AGVISE offers soil, water and plant analysis to agricultural related companies.

Website: agvise.com

Alerus

Headquarters: Grand Forks

Employees: 883

Description: Re-established in 1933, with roots tracing back to 1879, Alerus is an independent, multibillion-dollar financial services company serving customers across the country and around the world. Alerus offers a broad array of banking, mortgage, retirement and wealth management products and services to individuals, families and businesses.

Website: alerus.com

DSG Was Named A Best Place To Work Thanks To Its Owners (All

All-Terrain Grounds Maintenance

Architecture Inc.

Headquarters: Fargo

Employees: 50

Description: All-Terrain is a full-service grounds maintenance company specializing in weed control and fertilizer applications, landscape maintenance, irrigation service, mowing and snow removal.

Website: allterrainfargo.com

Headquarters: Sioux Falls, S.D.

Employees: 26

Description: Architecture Inc. was established in 1976 and has grown to be the largest architectural firm in South Dakota, with more registered architects than any firm in the state, as well as three interior designers. Architecture Inc.’s diverse leadership team brings more than 275 years of experience to the table. This knowledge is invaluable to its clients, providing knowledge about what works well, how to accurately estimate costs and save time and money.

Website: architectureinc.com

Bismarck Aero Center

Border States Electric

Headquarters: Bismarck, N.D.

Employees: 43

Description: Creating the best experience for all private aviation needs, Bismarck Aero Center has been a family-owned business for more than 25 years. The company offers 24/7 aircraft fueling, a full aircraft maintenance and avionics shop, top-notch flight instruction, pilot services, aircraft rental and charter brokerage services. Bismarck Aero Center operates at the Bismarck Municipal Airport with two offices and eight aircraft hangars. Sister company Mandan Aero Center has an additional office and two aircraft hangars at the Mandan Municipal Airport. The company’s success has been built upon a solid foundation of core values and a team of hard-working employees devoted to providing the best aviation experience around.

Website: bismarckaero.com

Headquarters: Fargo

Employees: 2,000+ employee-owners

Description: Border States supplies products and services to construction, industrial and utility customers. The 100 percent employee-owned company is the eighth largest electrical distributor in the U.S., as rated by Electrical Wholesaling magazine, with more than 2,200 employees and 97 branches in 18 states.

Website: borderstates.com

Civil Design Inc.

Headquarters: Brookings, S.D.

Employees: 18

Description: Civil Design Inc. is a full-service civil engineering and land surveying firm. Its specialties include land surveying, environmental and transportation engineering — with an emphasis in railroads — residential, commercial, industrial and athletic site design, and material testing. Civil Design Inc. is one of the region’s most successful engineering firms with recognition from Inc. magazine, Construction Digital magazine, Profile magazine and The American Society of Civil Engineers.

Website: civildes.com

Click Rain Inc.

Headquarters: Sioux Falls, S.D.

Employees: 31

Description: Click Rain is a marketing technology agency in downtown Sioux Falls, S.D. As one of the Midwest’s largest digital agencies, Click Rain develops sophisticated communication systems and stunning creative services for more than 100 clients across the country. Click Rain’s digital experts use the latest technologies and tactics to help clients communicate more effectively, efficiently and measurably. Click Rain has received numerous awards since being founded in 2008, including being named to the Inc. 5000 list for four consecutive years.

Website: clickrain.com

Cornerstone Bank

Corporate Technologies LLC

Headquarters: None

Employees: 190

Description: On Dec. 31, 2014, Cornerstone Bank Holding Co. and Lakeside Bank Holding Co. merged, bringing together the assets and expertise of two storied North Dakota community-based financial institutions. The resulting Cornerstone Bank provides an expansive product offering to customers while staying true to its mission of providing accessible financial solutions and advice. Cornerstone’s offerings include business and consumer loans, deposits and cash management services along with mortgage and investment services. Cornerstone Bank has North Dakota bank locations in Bismarck, Dickinson, Fargo, Makoti, New Town, Parshall, Plaza, Watford City and a South Dakota bank location in Sioux Falls. Grand Forks and Minot, N.D., host Cornerstone Mortgage office locations.

Website: cornerstonebanks.net

Dakota Supply Group

Headquarters: Eden Prairie, Minn.

Employees: 300

Description: Corporate Technologies is a leading provider of managed IT solutions for businesses and institutions in Minnesota, North Dakota, New Jersey, Idaho, California and Michigan. It supports customers on a national level, offering a wide range of IT solutions, including managed IT services, voice and data networking, cloud solutions, storage and backup and warranty support. The Technology Advantage program provides a niche service for small and medium size businesses requiring IT support and services.

Website: gocorptech.com

DFC Consultants Ltd.

Headquarters: Fargo

Employees: 750+

Description: Dakota Supply Group is one of the Midwest’s leading distributors of innovative electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, utility, communications, waterworks, metering and automation products, with roots tracing back to 1868. Headquartered in Fargo, DSG has 35 locations throughout Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. DSG is a 100 percent employee-owned company and was named the 2014 ESOP Company of the Year by The ESOP Association.

Website: dakotasupplygroup.com

Headquarters: Fargo

Employees: 19

Description: For 27 years, DFC Consultants has worked with companies across the region to bring their businesses to the next level with sophisticated business and customer relationship management software. As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, DFC specializes in Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Key2Act, and DFC Property Management software. With locations in Dickinson, Bismarck and Fargo in North Dakota, DFC Consultants employs software experts and accountants, along with sales and marketing professionals.

Website: DFCconsultants.com

#EIDELIKE I’D LIKE TO HAVE FUN AT WORK

Be More at Eide Bailly

As one of the top 25 CPA firms in the country, Eide Bailly offers staff challenging work with a supportive and caring work environment that balances career goals with personal passions. Culture is the foundation of our success, and we’re honored to be one of Prairie Business’ 50 best places to work.

Experience the Eide Bailly Difference

www. eidebailly .com

EAPC Architects Engineers

Eide Bailly LLP

Headquarters: Grand Forks

Employees: 151

Description: EAPC Architects Engineers is an award-winning, full-service design consulting firm offering architecture, engineering, wind energy, industrial and business excellence services. For nearly 50 years, EAPC has focused on providing innovative design solutions that bring exceptional value to its clients across the region and beyond. It is this type of innovation and dedication to its clients and employees that has earned EAPC recognition as a 2016 Top 100 Hot Firm in the country as well as a Best Place to Work by Zweig Group.

Website: eapc.net

Enertech Global LLC

Headquarters: Mitchell, S.D. (plant) Greenville, Ill. (corporate)

Employees: 50

Description: Enertech Global, member of the NIBE Industrier AB Group of Sweden, develops and manufactures geothermal heat pumps for cooling and heating of residential and commercial buildings. The production facility is located in Mitchell, S.D. Enertech Global processes sheet metal and copper tube fabrication. Metals are cut, bent, punched and covered in insulating foam. Metal coils are combined with in-house electrical boards and additional assembly and parts kits to manufacture complete, one-stop-shop residential groundsource heat pumps. The company celebrated 20 years of business in June 2016.

Website: enertechgeo.com

Headquarters: Fargo

Employees: 1,600

Description: Eide Bailly is a top 25 CPA firm in the nation, founded and headquartered in Fargo. Eide Bailly offers a wide variety of services, including audit, tax and numerous business advisory services. With 29 offices in 13 states, Eide Bailly’s professionals are trusted business advisers who serve passionately and intelligently with unique expertise designed to help clients succeed.

Website: eidebailly.com

First International Bank & Trust

Headquarters: Watford City, N.D.

Employees: 556

Description: First International Bank & Trust is more than a bank: It’s a community, a family, and it puts people first. As a family-owned bank, First International has been banking locally and responsibly for more than 100 years. With 26 locations across North Dakota, Minnesota and Arizona, the community- and service-minded approach continues to make a difference. It allows the bank to fulfill its mission of helping dreams come true, one customer at a time.

Website: firstintlbank.com

Fisher Industries

Headquarters: Dickinson, N.D.

Employees: 1,100

Description: Fisher Industries serves all aspects of the aggregate processing industry. Whether it’s manufacturing aggregate processing equipment, mining and delivering aggregate products, or the final roller pass across freshly laid asphalt, Fisher stands ready to tackle the toughest jobs. Fisher consists of eight companies and has offices in North Dakota, Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona and Louisiana. Its portfolio includes concrete, asphalt, drilling and blasting, paving and land development services. Fisher is a unified team working together to cement its place in the industry.

Website: fisherind.com

Great North Insurance Services

Gate City Bank

Headquarters: West Fargo, N.D.

Employees: 10

Description: Great North Insurance is an independent insurance agency working with a variety of insurance carriers to ensure its clients get the best coverage for their money. It strives to be an asset for clients versus an expense. Great North is licensed to conduct business in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Arizona. Products include commercial insurance, life, health, disability, home, auto, umbrella and other policies insuring property such as boats and all-terrain vehicles.

Website: greatnorthinsuranceservices.com

Headquarters: Fargo

Employees: 604

Description: At Gate City Bank, community, commitment and a better way of life are more than just words; they are actions that bring the bank’s mission to life. With deep roots in North Dakota since 1923, it’s been a privilege serving the state’s communities. Everything the bank does, through all the products and services offered, is designed to meet the individualized needs that combine the values of a traditional hometown bank with the strength and resources of the 21st century. Gate City’s tradition is to be the bank of choice, an employer of choice with employees of choice.

Website: gatecitybank.com

H2M

Headquarters: Fargo

Employees: 17

Description: First and foremost, H2M is a marketing agency with a long history of creating memorable brands, both locally and nationwide. H2M has become a go-to resource for deep marketing strategies, multi-faceted content creation and media consultation both traditional and digital. H2M knows its work must be unique to be effective, while always being responsible to its client partners by providing proof in performance.

Website: h2m.biz

Houston Engineering Inc.

ICON Architectural Group

Headquarters: Fargo

Employees: 180

Description: Houston Engineering Inc. is a full-service, multi-disciplined consulting firm that provides engineering, surveying, environmental, GIS and planning services to clients in the public and private sectors. Despite its name, HEI is not based in Houston, but rather named after its founder George Houston. HEI first opened its doors as a civil engineering and surveying firm in 1968, in Fargo. Since that time, it has expanded its capabilities, staff and the geographic area it serves. Houston Engineering utilizes the latest technology to complement its traditional experience to provide innovative solutions that produce results now and continue to provide value well into the future.

Website: houstoneng.com

Integrity Windows and Doors

Headquarters: Grand Forks

Employees: 48

Description: One of the premier architectural and engineering firms in the Upper Midwest, ICON works closely with its clients to deliver successful designs while creating value for the owner. The firm’s portfolio includes education, municipal, sports and recreation, commercial, hospitality and master planning. The firm is also partnering with unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry leaders to help make North Dakota the place to do business for the rapidly expanding global UAS market.

Website: iconarchitects.com

JLG Architects

Headquarters: Fargo

Employees: 5,000

Description: With facilities and employees based in both Fargo and West Fargo, N.D., Integrity Windows and Doors has been part of the Fargo-area community for more than 20 years. What began as a family company built on a code of honesty, hard work and service to its neighbors is now one of the world’s premier window and door companies. For everything from new construction to remodeling, replacements to commercial buildings, Integrity Windows and Doors never takes shortcuts and always adheres to the highest possible standards and service. Integrity Windows and Doors are built tough and made to last, which means it stands behind every one of its products, every step of the way.

Website: integritywindows.com

Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minn.

Employees: 110

Description: JLG is a 100 percent employee-owned, full-service architecture firm, founded in 1989 by Lonnie Laffen and Gary Johnson. Today, the firm has grown to 11 offices with 110 JLGers, and was named No. 38 of the top 2015 Giants of Architecture by Building Design+Construction magazine and one of the Best Workplaces by Inc. magazine and Prairie Business.

Website: jlgarchitects.com

Headquarters: Bismarck, N.D.

Employees: 642

Description: Since 1938, KLJ has provided multi-disciplinary engineering-based solutions for national, large-scale operations, with the local expertise to drive projects forward and deliver successful results. Its strong regional connections, in-depth local knowledge, responsive personal service and industry experience create strategic advantages for all its clients. As an employee-owned firm with a focus on innovation and hard work, it helps clients succeed by developing lasting infrastructure that responds to the social, civic and economic needs of its communities. KLJ currently has 24 office locations throughout North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming and Florida.

Website: kljeng.com

Lloyd Cos.

Headquarters: Sioux Falls, S.D.

Employees: 170

Description: Founded in 1972 by Craig and Pat Lloyd, Lloyd Cos. is a family-owned, community-oriented business that has evolved from a single apartment property to a collection of real estate companies focused on promoting well-maintained and profitable investments for its clients. Its specialized divisions — development, commercial real estate, construction, property management and residential real estate — lead the way with flexible and creative solutions designed to get the job done.

Website: lloydcompanies.com

Liberty Business Systems Inc.

Headquarters: Fargo

Employees: 65

Description: Liberty Business Systems solves customer office needs throughout North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota. The company specializes in copiers, printers, wide format and managed print services. Liberty Business Systems is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and attributes its success to customer-centric teams, award-winning service and proven client partnerships.

Website: libertybusiness.com

Marco

Headquarters: St. Cloud, Minn.

Employees: 1,059

Description: Marco is a leading technology services company that specializes in business IT services, cloud services, managed services, telecom carrier services, copiers/printers, phone systems, document management and audio/video systems. Marco serves over 28,000 customers throughout the Midwest and nationally with offices in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Website: marconet.com

MetroPlains Management

Midco

Headquarters: Devils Lake, N.D.

Employees: 285

Description: MetroPlains Management strives to meet the goals of owners and investors while providing the best possible environment for residents. Since 1983, its client list has included financial institutions, private partnerships, sole owners and affordable state and government program administrators. Today, the firm has grown to 5,500 housing units in five Midwestern states. Its portfolio is diverse, ranging from high-end luxury housing to tax credit and government-assisted housing. With more than 150 years of combined property management experience, the MetroPlains team’s expertise ranges from managing single-owner assets to complex financial and partnership structures in both rural and urban settings.

Website: metroplains.com

Midwest Fire Equipment & Repair Co.

Headquarters: Key locations in Sioux Falls, S.D., West Fargo, N.D., and Minneapolis, Minn.

Employees: 1,300

Description: Midco is the upper Midwest’s leading provider of internet and networking, cable TV, phone, data center and managed services, home automation and advertising services. The company has invested in gigabit internet and other leading technologies that help drive innovation and entertainment for more than 330,000 residential and business customers in four states. Midco employees rave about the positive internal culture, generous benefits and career advancement opportunities — and that they can play an active role in Midco’s commitment to give back.

Website: midco.com, midco.com/business and midcosn.com

Minnkota Windows

Headquarters: Luverne, Minn.

Employees: 23

Description: Midwest Fire Equipment & Repair Co. is a female-owned small business that designs and manufactures fire-fighting apparatus. Midwest Fire operates out of a 33,000-square-foot facility in Luverne, Minn., that includes fabrication, assembly, paint and repair. Midwest Fire distinguishes itself from the competition by selling direct to the customer, which provides a unique customer service experience for the departments it serves. Midwest Fire has delivered more than 800 trucks throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Website: midwestfire.com

Headquarters: West Fargo, N.D.

Employees: 60

Description: Vinyl window manufacturing and distribution company.

Website: minnkotawindows.com

Mortenson

National Information Solutions Cooperative

Headquarters: Lake St. Louis, Mo.

Employees: 1,144

Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minn.

Employees: 83 (North Dakota)

Description: Mortenson is a family-owned construction organization built on strong values, family heritage and a commitment to making a difference in the communities in which it works. It has been grounded in the North Dakota community since 1976 and has built a reputation for being a solid and progressive company and a trustworthy and responsible leader. It is inspired by a compelling purpose: Building structures and facilities for the advancement of modern society. Its purpose is fulfilled through its mission: To create an exceptional customer experience.

Website: mortenson.com/north-dakota

Network Center Inc.

Headquarters: Fargo

Employees: 62

Description: Network Center Inc. has been providing leading edge technology solutions since 1986. Serving 12 states and over 2,700 customers, NCI is one of the largest IT solution providers in the Midwest. NCI specializes in industry-specific technology solutions, service, support and expertise for small to enterprise businesses. It focuses on improving efficiency and effectiveness of its customers’ business processes through the implementation of engineer-designed IT solutions. With a wide range of products, NCI engineers have the tools to concentrate on customer needs and provide a viable solution to successfully fulfill those needs.

Website: netcenter.net

Description: National Information Solutions Cooperative is an information technology organization that develops, implements and supports software and hardware solutions for its members/customers. It delivers advanced solutions, services and support to more than 775 independent telephone companies, electric cooperatives and other public power entities. NISC is an industry leader providing information technology solutions including billing, accounting, engineering and operations, automated mailroom services, third-party integration and many other solutions. With facilities in Mandan, N.D., Lake Saint Louis, Mo., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Shawano, Wis., NISC and its subsidiaries employ more than 1,100 professionals between the four locations.

Website: nisc.coop

Nexus Innovations Inc.

Headquarters: Bismarck, N.D.

Employees: 19

Description: Nexus Innovations is a strategic technology consulting firm. It delivers tailored solutions that are designed, built and deployed with the finest methodologies, technologies and professionals in the industry. Nexus Innovations serves each client engagement with a customized approach to ensure that organizational goals, information and systems requirements are understood and addressed.

Website: nexusinnovations.com

Norby’s Work Perks

Headquarters: Grand Forks

Employees: 19

Description: Norby’s Work Perks is a design company that provides office furniture solutions for all interior office environments. Its experienced sales, interior design, installation and service professionals strive to provide excellent service from initial space planning to installation and follow-up.

Website: norbys.com

Northern Contours Inc.

North Dakota Guaranty & Title Co.

Headquarters: Bismarck, N.D.

Employees: 118

Description: North Dakota Guaranty & Title Co. was founded in 1955 in Bismarck, N.D. NDGT provides complete residential and commercial land title and real estate closing services across North Dakota and into western Minnesota. We are “The Title Team” — experienced professionals offering the most comprehensive land title services in the region. NDGT team members go the extra mile to help coordinate and complete real estate closing and title services in North Dakota and Minnesota, from mobile homes to multi-billion dollar commercial projects. Locations: Bismarck, Mandan, Grand Forks, Minot, Dickinson, Williston, Watford City, Washburn, Killdeer, Mohall and Linton in North Dakota; and Thief River Falls and Crookston in Minnesota.

Website: thetitleteam.com

Obermiller Nelson Engineering Inc.

Headquarters: Fergus Falls, Minn.

Employees: 483

Description: Northern Contours has been providing cabinet doors and accessories, surfaces and other furniture components to the kitchen and bath, home organization and contract furniture industries since 1992. With five locations spread among three states, Fergus Falls, Minn., serves as the company’s central hub. Home to almost half of Northern Contours’ employees, Fergus Falls houses two production facilities, as well as IT, customer service, research and development, engineering, quality, human resources and finance departments. The two manufacturing plants in Fergus Falls combine expertise in flat laminating, membrane pressing, edgebanding and precision boring using materials like wood veneer, 3-D laminate, acrylic and textured melamine.

Website: northerncontours.com

Headquarters: Fargo

Employees: 125

Description: ONE is a mechanical, electrical and civil engineering consulting firm, specializing in building system design, services and innovative solutions.ONE cares about people. It cares about the success and wellbeing of its employees, clients and communities. This translates into an unparalleled work environment that thrives on honesty, service, quality, innovation and growth. Through its mission and vision, it believes its commitment to its employees will provide clients and communities with leaders making a meaningful impact.

Website: obernel.com

Odney

Headquarters: Bismarck, N.D.

Employees: 45

Description: Odney is in the business of persuasion. It is a full-service agency offering marketing, advertising, public relations and government relations services, creative design, research, interactive services, media placement and digital strategy services. The agency has offices in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and Minot, Bismarck and Fargo in North Dakota.

Website: odney.com

Razor Consulting Solutions Inc.

Preference Personnel

Headquarters: Watford City, N.D.

Employees: 43

Description: Razor Consulting Solutions Inc. is a business process outsourcing, professional services contracting and application development technology company. Its team wakes up every day with the uncompromising mission of providing flawless execution and innovative solutions with integrity to every one of its customers.

Website: gotorazor.com

Headquarters: Fargo

Employees: 16

Description: Preference Personnel is a 100 percent employee-owned company that offers employment solutions to businesses and job seekers. Businesses gain access to great talent, speeding up their time to hire and reducing hiring risk with help from experienced staffing consultants. Customized service plans, employment law certifications and niched staffing consultants add extra value for employers. Job seekers enjoy free assistance, confidential career searches and exposure to reputable employers.

Website: preferencepersonnel.com

RDO Equipment Co.

Headquarters: Fargo

Employees: 2,400

Description: Founded in 1968, RDO Equipment Co. sells and supports innovative solutions for use in agriculture, construction, environmental, positioning, surveying and irrigation from manufacturers including John Deere, Vermeer, Topcon, senseFly and Valley Irrigation. With more than 75 locations across the U.S., including partnerships in Russia, Ukraine, Mexico and Australia, RDO Equipment Co. strives to build customers for life while being a great place to work.

Website: rdoequipment.com

Schuneman Equipment Co.

Sioux Corp.

Headquarters: Milbank, S.D.

Employees: 185

Description: Schuneman Equipment Co. is a family-owned John Deere dealership with six stores in South Dakota and Minnesota. It’s small enough to tend to our customers’ needs locally, but big enough to offer a wide selection of equipment, service, parts and ag management systems they want.

Website: schunemanequipment.com

Headquarters: Beresford, S.D.

Employees: 51

Description: Since 1939, Sioux Corp. has been designing and manufacturing specialty equipment for use in concrete production, oil drilling, mining and other heavy industrial applications. Sioux is the world leader in specialty water heating and chilling systems used in concrete production, explosion-proof pressure washing equipment used on off-shore oil platforms and mining, steam generators used in concrete curing and soil sterilization and other specialty products. Sioux specializes in custom-engineered designs and highly specialized options to provide the exact equipment customers need for specific, challenging applications around the world.

Website: sioux.com

Empowering Clients for Success

Our highly qualified team of experts is driven by a culture of service excellence and customer satisfaction.

At Nexus Innovations, our team of experts is not only exceptionally skilled in developing and implementing IT solutions, we are passionate about providing clients with game-changing results. To achieve these goals, our employees are committed to bringing integrity, vision, strategic leadership, innovation and superior customer service to every project.

Starion Financial

Headquarters: Bismarck, N.D.

Employees: 250

Description: Starion Financial is a family-owned bank with a full line of commercial, personal and mortgage banking services along with investments and insurance. Serving the Midwest since 1969, the $1.2 billion bank has 15 branches in Bismarck, Bottineau, Dunseith, Ellendale, Fargo, Mandan, Oakes and Rolla in North Dakota; and Monona, Middleton and Sun Prairie in Wisconsin. Starion Financial offers sophisticated products, services and technology available at larger banks, with the personal service found at community banks.

Website: starionfinancial.com

Steffes

Headquarters: Dickinson, N.D.

Employees: 260

Description: Specializing in steel fabrication and electrical services, Steffes is a manufacturing company providing innovative energy solutions and contract manufacturing. Steffes provides turn-key solutions, taking ideas and concepts through design, engineering and production to deliver quality products to various industries. Manufacturing capabilities include robotic welding, laser cutting and punching, milling, powder painting and more.

Website: steffes.com

Sundog

Headquarters: Fargo

Employees: 95

Description: Revenue. Performance. Marketing. For the past 20 years, Sundog has been an industry leader in marketing and technology, specializing in manufacturing and creating proven success for clients like Bobcat Co., Ecolab, The Schwan Food Co., Titan International and more. The company delivers more predictable revenue growth, more personalized experiences for customers and more value from marketing technology. Known for its unique culture, Sundog has been named to the Inc. 500|5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing companies three times, as well as ranked as one of the Best Places to Work in the nation twice by Advertising Age magazine.

Website: sundoginteractive.com

Headquarters: Brookings, S.D. (plant) St. Paul (corporate)

Employees: 1,015

Description: 3M Brookings proudly serves as 3M’s largest health care manufacturing plant. Its employees are experts in medical product manufacturing and new product and process development. For 45 years, the plant has continually applied 3M science to produce complex medical dressings and tapes, surgical drapes, biological indicators and food safety products. More than 1,000 employees work together seven days a week, 24 hours a day to produce more than 1,700 innovative and reliable products that help health care professionals improve the quality of care.

Website: 3m.com

HONESTY SERVICE QUALITY INNOVATION GROWTH

We’re

A Culture of Health

Wahpeton, N.D., company has implemented an all-encompassing wellness program that has improved culture and shrunk turnover rate

BY KAYLA PRASEK

Employees at WCCO Belting, a manufacturing company in Wahpeton, N.D., started pushing for a wellness program after attending the Worksite Wellness Summit, a health summit organized by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, in 2014. Once the company approved it, a wellness committee was formed and employees were surveyed to find out what they wanted in a wellness program. Now, the committee organizes two events per month to promote the five tenets of health — physical, social, emotional, financial and professional.

The wellness committee has worked with the Wahpeton Future Farmers of America to serve fruit to employees every day, increased volunteer opportunities through the United Way of Cass-Clay, and brought in experts from Bremer Bank to give financial seminars. Employees receive free memberships at the North Dakota State College of Science fitness center, and the wellness committee works closely with BCBSND to bring in guest speakers. The company also sponsors employees who want to take part in recreational leagues.

“One of the speakers we had from BCBSND talked about their Walking Works program and the benefits of walking and brought

pedometers for all of our employees,” says Karley Serati, a wellness committee member and marketing services manager. “From that, we came up with a walking challenge, and we had 95 employees sign up. We assigned random teams, so they got to interact with people outside their departments, and they all hit the 1,000-mile mark and many went over.”

Serati says the wellness program has been accepted well and employees have had fun with it. “Our employees are the core of our business, and wellness is so much more than your weight,” Serati says. “Putting employees first has created a domino effect. By giving employees a platform and a voice, it’s really affected the culture and environment here. We’re at almost zero absenteeism, and our turnover rate is less than 2 percent.”

Worksite Wellness Program

The North Dakota Worksite Wellness initiative was launched in 2009, as a partnership between BCBSND, Dakota Medical Foundation and the state Department of Health. “Its purpose was to get more organizations engaged in worksite wellness,” says Pete

A

WCCO Belting participates in the Fill the Bus food drive, organized by the company’s wellness committee. IMAGE: WCCO BELTING

Voted One of the Top 50 Best Places to Work

Prairie Business Journal has named Corporate Technologies as on of the 50 Best Places to work

Work should be a place you want to go when you get up and we try and make Corporate Technologies that kind of place. It starts with the people.

Corporate Technologies feels like a family. The atmosphere is open and caring, you get back what you give in, if you work hard you are rewarded. Corporate Technologies supports its employees with on-going training and sponsors outings/events several times a year. Management really listens and cares about the issues and has an open door policy. It is an honor to work for a great employer like Corporate Technologies.

2000 44th Street SW, Ste 100 Fargo, ND 58103 • 701-893-4000

www.gocorptech.com

Corporate Technologies now serving at 20,000 feet

Welcome to the cloud

Corporate Technologies has been selected to be a Cloud Solutions Provider by Microsoft®. As one of the largest managed service providers and one of the largest Office 365TM partners, Corporate Technology is now able to take care of all your Office 365TM needs.

Corporate Technologies

Corporate Technologies is a leading provider of managed IT solutions for businesses and institutions. Our unique offerings include: managed IT services, cloud solutions, CTO Assist (IT staffing), storage & data backup, voice & data networking and warranty support services. We also offer Technology Advantage®, a program designed to provide a niche service for small and medium size businesses requiring Fortune 500 Level IT support and services at affordable prices.

Seljevold, worksite wellness administrator for BCBSND. “It includes a website with resources, a toolkit to get started, Gearing Up trainings — where companies who have implemented a program will come in and speak about their success — and Worksite Wellness Summits, which are an opportunity to bring in nationally known speakers.” In 2013, the program was brought under the BCBSND umbrella but the program’s administrators will work with any employer group.

To get started in the program, company representatives should attend a Gearing Up training, which BCBSND holds across the state throughout the year, Seljevold says. Those trainings teach organizations the seven benchmarks of a successful wellness program: gaining management support, forming a wellness team, gathering information, creating a culture of health, choosing areas to focus on, creating an operating plan, and evaluating. A program administrator will work with the organization as needed.

“Programs vary. Each group is unique, so one group might want to be more physically active while another might focus on mental health, stress management and time management,” Seljevold says. “Financial wellness is gaining popularity, including financial courses and bringing in financial planners.”

BCBSND has its own wellness program for its employees, and all of the parts of that program “are offered by design,” says Jacinta Riedinger, wellness services manager. The company has an onsite fitness center, onsite cafe and onsite farmers market. BCBSND also offers reimbursements to employees who participate in the Fargo Marathon and holds flu shot clinics. Challenges, such as a fruit and vegetable challenge, volunteerism and incentives are also popular.

“All of our program offerings include the Blue Elements — physical, social, emotional, financial, environmental and professional — and if any of those areas are out of sync, it can affect our wellness,” Riedinger says. “It’s helped create a culture where employees feel respected and that the company cares about them.”

Seljevold says a wellness program “brings a lot of value to an organization and sends a signal that we care about you and value

you. It reduces absenteeism rates and increases productivity. It’s also a retention tool. Employees tend to be more engaged, while it also helps manage health care costs and employers’ spending on health care.” PB

Kayla Prasek Staff Writer, Prairie Business 701.780.1187 kprasek@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota has an onsite fitness center for its employees to use free of charge. IMAGE: BCBSND

WCCO Belting employee Stefani Mikkelson and her son Zane ring the bell for the Salvation Army. WCCO’s wellness committee organizes volunteer opportunities for the company’s employees. IMAGE: WCCO BELTING

If you care about where you live, you do what you can to take care of the place. You volunteer, you give back, you help others, and you try to make the neighborhood better for everybody. That’s how we feel about this community. And that’s why we do what we do. For details, visit xcelenergy.com.

© 2016 Xcel Energy Inc.

WE CARE ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY AS IF IT WERE OUR HOME, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE IT IS.

Family Economics

Purchasing a home can be difficult for people with significant student loan debt, but Gate City Bank has developed a program that consolidates that debt with a low interest rate in partnership with a mortgage loan

BY LISA GIBSON

Kyrie and Jason Severson, pictured here with their 18-month-old son, Riley, used the BetterLife Student Loan program at Gate City Bank to purchase a new home north of Fargo. The program lowered Kyrie’s monthly student loan payments by one-third. IMAGE: KYRIE SEVERSON

Since Gate City Bank implemented BetterLife Student Loan in November, it has issued more than 170 loans for a total of over $4 million through the program, according to Kevin Hanson, Gate City’s executive vice president and director of lending in Fargo. “It’s been really good,” he says. “Probably the first response is, ‘What’s the catch?’ It seems too good to be true.”

The BetterLife Student Loan program makes it easier for people with student loan debt to qualify for affordable mortgage loans. Gate City will lend up to $50,000 to consolidate student loan debt at a 1 percent fixed interest rate for 10 years for homebuyers who borrow their mortgage loans through the bank. For many, that equates to a savings of $100 or $200 per month. That amount is just what some clients need to get over the hump of qualifying for a loan, Hanson says.

A Solution

Just like credit card and car payments, student loan payments are figured into a debt-to-income evaluation for anyone looking to qualify for a mortgage loan. Substantial student loan debt can mean potential homebuyers either can’t qualify for a loan at all, or can’t qualify for a large enough loan to pay for the home they want. “If you have a lot of student debt, it’s almost impossible (to qualify for a mortgage loan),” says John Colter, Grand Forks Area Association of Realtors executive.

“When you look on a national level, the amount of student loans has consistently gone up every year, so it is becoming a significant portion of their budget,” Hanson says. “It does have an impact on how much of a loan they can afford.”

Many student loan borrowers are saddled with high interest rates and a 30-year payback expectation, Hanson says. “You’re 25 years old, you’re going to be paying your student loans back until you’re 55? This program gives them that light at the end of the tunnel,” Hanson says. “Ten years with 1 percent interest makes an impact and then they feel more comfortable with the house payment.

“A lot of times, it was the individual saying, ‘You know I’d really like to buy a house.

I’m just not comfortable with the amount of student debt I have,’” Hanson says. So BetterLife Student Loan was developed as a solution. “We tried to look to say, ‘What can we do to make an impact?’”

Laura Gunderson and her boyfriend Justin Janke will close on their West Fargo, N.D., home at the end of September. BetterLife Student Loan lowered their student loan payments each month, allowing them to allocate more to their mortgage payment budget. “We were able to get the house that we wanted,” she says. “We had already been preapproved by a couple different lenders, but chose to go with Gate City because of this program.”

Kyrie Severson had a similar experience when she and her husband Jason bought a home in a rural community north of Fargo and moved in June 1. With student loan interest rates between 3 and 6 percent, the mortgage budget for their current starter home was tight. BetterLife Student Loan reduced Kyrie Severson’s student loan monthly payment by one-third, she says, allowing them to take on a bigger house payment and move themselves and their 18-month-old son, Riley, to a larger home. The program helped out tremendously with mortgage affordability, Severson says.

She would recommend the program to anyone with student loan debt looking to buy a home, saying she’s glad her family took the opportunity. “It was super simple and very, very helpful for us in buying this home,” she says.

Colter says he wouldn’t be surprised if other regional banks come up with similar options for clients to pay down student debt, as BetterLife Student Loan seems like a successful program that could definitely help more young people buy homes.

“We’re a community bank,” Hanson says. “We believe in investing in our employees and our communities and our customers, and we saw this as a program that really tried to achieve giving back to our customers and our communities. It’s really looking at young individuals that have made a commitment — they’re buying a house in one of our communities. We look at it as a win-win.” PB

Lisa Gibson Editor, Prairie Business 701.787.6753 lgibson@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

Lynn Klein, mortgage lender with Gate City Bank in Bismarck, N.D. IMAGE: GATE CITY BANK

Kevin Hanson, Gate City Bank’s executive vice president and director of lending.

Grand Vision

Sioux Falls, S.D., company develops mixed-use community

BY KAYLA PRASEK

Danielle Merrow and Jarrod Smart have a vision for northwest Sioux Falls, S.D. — a vision of turning their 80 acres of land into a pedestrian-friendly community. The duo, operating as Universal Properties, has already opened one apartment building and started construction on a second.

The first 122-unit apartment building opened at University Hills Village in October 2014 and filled with residents within six months, says Merrow, broker and owner of Dynamic Real Estate in Sioux Falls. Construction started on the second $12.5 million, four-story, 126-unit apartment building in July. “The first building was very successful,” Merrow says. “With this second building, we’ll bring another 250 people to the community.”

The new building will be a mix of studio and one- and two-bedroom units, like the first building, but will feature more studio apartments. “What we’re finding is a lot of millennials and Gen X-ers don’t want to own houses, but they do want a home with a lot of amenities,” says Smart, owner and operator of Jarrod Smart Construction in Sioux Falls.

A third building, which will include apartment units and a clubhouse and swimming pool for residents, is in the plan-

ning stages. “We’re hoping to accelerate the development of University Hills. We’re already talking about building three and hoping to start construction on it next summer,” Merrow says.

The apartment buildings include a fitness center, community room and lobby for residents to provide a hotel-like feel, as well as underground parking and storage units. Each apartment unit features a private deck, walk-in closets, central air conditioning, fully equipped kitchen with breakfast bar, and in-unit laundry room with washer and dryer. Some units also feature a den, office, dining and entertainment rooms. The development will eventually include a park and pedestrian walkways as well.

Merrow and Smart purchased the 80-acre property in 2008 and the location only continues to get better, Merrow says. “We bought it because it was a great piece of land, but the location keeps getting better. Since we purchased it, Interstate 90 exchanges have gone in, the South Dakota Research Park opened and a new Walmart opened.” The University Center educational campus and a data center also are near University Hills Village. Foundation Park, an 820-acre industrial park, is also being developed in the area, as is another mixed-use development called Hazeltine.

The University Hills Village community will be pedestrian-friendly and will include apartment buildings and a clubhouse as well as businesses that will serve the residents.

Universal Properties plans to build nine apartment buildings on the east 40 acres of the 80-acre tract. Once the project is complete, University Hills Village is expected to be home to more than 2,000 residents.

In addition to the residential development, the first 40 acres will include businesses to serve University Hills Village’s residents. Merrow envisions service businesses, including banks, restaurants and hair salons, as well as professional offices. Market demand will determine the pace of future apartment and business development, but Universal Properties will build to suit for interested businesses, Merrow says.

The second apartment building is expected to open in phases in July and August 2017 with pre-leasing beginning in early 2017. PB

Kayla Prasek Staff Writer, Prairie Business

701.780.1187

kprasek@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

Cory Samson Fargo

Dereck Mattson Minneapolis

Jay LaDue

Grand Forks

Chad Renner Bismarck

IMAGE: UNIVERSAL PROPERTIES LLC

Interest Rates

Employment

Gas Captured/Sold

Data provided by David Flynn, chair of the University of North Dakota Department of Economics. Reach him at david.flynn@business.und.edu.

New-well oil production per rig

Drilling Productivity Report Year-over-year summary

Monthly additions from one average rig

August 2016

-well gas production per rig

New-well gas production per rig thousand cubic

drilling data through July projected production through September

September-2015 September-2016

gas production per rig thousand cubic

FordHaynesvilleMarcellusNiobraraPermian Utica

Legacy oil production change

thousand barrels/day

0

thousand barrels/day

BakkenEagle FordHaynesvilleMarcellusNiobraraPermianUtica

(25)

(50)

(75)

FordHaynesvilleMarcellusNiobraraPermianUtica

Legacy gas production change million (125)

cubic (100)

BakkenEagle FordHaynesvilleMarcellusNiobraraPermian Utica

September-2015 September-2016

Indicated monthly change in oil production (Sep vs. Aug)

thousand

barrels/day

thousand barrels/day

September-2015

September-2015

September-2015

Indicated

Indicated monthly change in gas production (Sep vs. Aug)

feet/day

September-2015

September-2015

September-2015 September-2016

Indicated monthly change in gas production (Sep vs.

Indicated monthly change in gas production (Sep vs. Aug)

September-2016 million

FordHaynesvilleMarcellusNiobraraPermian