FROM THE CHAIR
Jonn Knecht
2021 Board Chair
SVP Correspondent Banking, Bravera Bank
It is an honor to serve as the first chair of the Minot Area Chamber EDC Board of Directors. The Minot Area Chamber of Commerce and Minot Area Development Corporation merged the two organizations into one on January 1, 2021 after seeing a lot of synergies and opportunities for the two organizations. We are combining resources and focusing our efforts on a fresh start to serving the business community as one focused organization.
Three key factors led to the initial discussion and are the basis for the question of: Why is a merger best for the community, organizations and the member investors who support both organizations?
1. International Economic Development Council (IEDC) economic recovery and resiliency strategies identification of the need for organizations to collaborate and develop One Brand
2. Shared leadership for both organizations in 2020
3. Desire to serve members and investors from the business community more efficiently
The goal was for the new organization to do more for the community. As we moved the organization forward this first year as one, we developed a set of key initiatives focused on financial stability, organizational structure, economic development, and programming and community outreach. It’s the mission of the Minot Area Chamber EDC to advocate for and invest in business activity by being a collaborative partner in the community, focused on improving quality of life for all. Our vision is to become the go-to organization for our business community, driving key initiatives that build and strengthen our economy.
I am proud to say we already have big wins for our community. North Dakota launched intermodal rail service — the culmination of more than two decades of effort to gain access to intermodal transportation, reducing shipping costs for the state’s agricultural producers and other industries. Intermodal service is the movement of international containers so producers and processors can directly load containers on rail in Minot to ship to international destinations.
Support for Minot Air Force Base continues to be a priority, and Minot is proud to be the recipient of the Barksdale Trophy for outstanding community support to an Air Force Global Strike Command base. This honor was handed out for a second time since it was created in 2017. We say, ‘Only the Best Come North,’ and Minot couldn’t be prouder of Minot Air Force Base and all who serve.
As we all look forward, it is important to recognize where we’ve been, and it is exciting to see what lies ahead. A big thank you goes out to the City of Minot and Ward County, as leading government entities that support the work that is being done in keeping Minot as the economic development driver for our great state. This support, along with what our member investors have given, allows us to advocate for and invest in business activity by being a collaborative partner in the community, focused on improving quality of life for all. Thank you for continuing to support the Minot Area Chamber EDC. We are just getting started!
2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Jonn Knecht CHAIR Bravera Bank
Verendrye Electric Cooperative
BOARD MEMBERS
Ryan Ackerman Ackerman-Estvold
Kevin Black VICE-CHAIR Creedence Energy Services
Missy Feis tErickson TREASURER Peoples State Bank
Trinity Health
Jason Zimmerman Minot Area Community Foundation
Bucky Anderson Ward County Commission
Cassidy Hjelmstad SRT
Les Knudson AGT Foods
Brekka Kramer Odney
Dr. Mark Vollmer Minot Public Schools
MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC STAFF
VEHICLE DEPARTMENT
MACEDC STAFF MEMBERS
IT’S MAGIC IN
Our team is proud to be a part of the Magic in Minot branding campaign! Leaders from Minot Area Chamber EDC, Visit Minot, the City of Minot, Minot Park District and Downtown Minot continue to work together to highlight all that makes Minot magic. This effort is part of rolling out a cohesive brand effort, One Brand, featuring a unified logo, messaging, and plan to highlight a community full of energy and spirit for being a better place to live, visit and love.
In the spring of 2021, the installation of the downtown One Brand art piece was completed, standing 12-feet tall in the heart of downtown in front of the Taube Museum at the corner of Main Street and Central Avenue. Colorful and vibrant, just like the city, it truly is Magic in Minot.
Carla Dolan VICE PRESIDENT
Carla Vannett MVD MANAGER
Kim Reedy MVD CLERK
Mark Lyman ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
Lisa Moldenhauer PROGRAM ASSISTANT
John, Lisa, Chanda, Jaime, Carla and Mark
SUCCESS STORIES
A regional coalition of support is now in place for entrepreneurs, start-up companies, and anyone with an idea for growing or starting their own business. The mission of Start Up Minot is to invigorate, encourage and entice entrepreneurs in the Minot region to execute their novel business idea through education efforts, de-siloing support agencies, connecting resources and referrals, and communicating success stories.
Program Launch Celebrating One Year of Intermodal Operations
Start Up Minot is two-pronged, with a cohort-based 10-week class called Start Up Minot Academy powered by CO.STARTERS, and a monthly business showcase/networking event under the name Start Up Minot that will focus on sharing the story of new and growing companies while connecting likeminded business leaders.
Organization members include Minot Area Chamber EDC in partnership with ND Small Business Development Centers, Minot State University Severson Entrepreneurship Academy, Strengthen ND, Creedence Energy, Souris Basin Planning Council, Dakota Business Lending and others.
October 2021 marks the first anniversary of North Dakota intermodal rail service — a culmination of more than two decades of effort to gain access to intermodal transportation to reduce shipping costs for the state’s agricultural producers and other industries. Intermodal service is the movement of international containers so producers and processors can directly load containers on rail in Minot to ship to international destinations.
Rail Modal Group (RMG) is operating the facility. RMG has developed a network of privately operated intermodal facilities providing services to inland containerized export shippers. In cooperation with BNSF Railway, RMG currently operates other intermodal ramps throughout the United States. Multiple ocean carriers reposition trainloads of empty containers from surplus locations in Chicago, Illinois; Memphis, Tennessee; Dallas, Texas; and other origins offering extensive export capacity. Over 8,400 containers have shipped out of the Minot facility.
The introduction of intermodal service creates dramatic economic benefit to producers, processors, miners, and shippers of everything from grain and
minerals to industrial and manufactured products. All of these suppliers benefit from this newly created transportation option.
Promoting an economical and sustainable intermodal transportation opportunity for North Dakota creates tremendous long-term value to agriculture and economic growth throughout the region. It also anchors North Dakota on a competitive transportation level with Minneapolis, Chicago and Kansas City.
Next steps for the Minot Area Chamber EDC will be focused on a track expansion project. Intermodal rail service launched with provisional approval by BNSF exclusively for RMG to operation on the main line. For long-term sustainability of the program, operations need to move off the main line, and a track expansion into BNSF Railway’s Gavin Yard is required. The North Dakota State Legislature approved $2 million for the Intermodal Transportation Assistance Program for stable operation of intermodal service in North Dakota.
While the facility is located in Minot, the benefits of the strategic location serve the entire state and region.
31,7 79 people reached by the Yes For Students Facebook page
3 bond measures passed for the Minot Public Schools Realignment Project
1 supported one new CONTINUOUS OPERATIONS
1YEAR
116 JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT CLASSROOM S Career & Technical Education program
13 enrolled in new Start Up Minot Academy powered by CO.STARTERS
8400+ containers shipped out of Minot facility state grant funds for infrastructure improvements $ 2 MILLION
3 , 306 Facebook followers
12
606 new Facebook followers
26,973 impressions on Instagram
468,388 impressions on Facebook
MISSION
It is the mission of the Minot Area Chamber EDC to advocate for and invest in business activity by being a collaborative partner in the community, focused on improving quality of life for all.
VISION
To be the go-to organization for our business community to drive key initiatives that build and strengthen our economy.
VALUES
Advocacy: We serve as the champion and voice for business by representing the best interests of our member investors at local, regional, and national levels.
Catalyst: We are a catalyst and convener for regional economic development focused on business expansion, retention and recruitment.
Collaboration: We are stronger and better together. Partnership is the core of what we do, working together to strengthen our community.
Community: We focus on creating a diverse community in which people want to live, work, and play.
Leadership: We encourage community involvement and provide opportunities for engagement and leadership development.
Integrity: We are stewards of the community resources with which we have been entrusted.
MEMBER INVESTORS
Thank you to all 691 member investors in the Minot Area Chamber EDC. It is our privilege to represent each of you. A special thank you to the businesses supporting our organization at the top tiers and our government partners.
$2,500 - $4,999
Ackerman-Estvold
Health
$5,000 - $9,999
Bremer Bank
First International Bank & Trust
First Western Bank & Trust
Verendrye Electric Cooperative
Xcel Energy
Westlie Motor Co.
Delta Vacations
Gate City Bank
Midco
Minot Milling
Montana Dakota Utilities Company
North Star Community Credit Union
Ryan Family Dealerships
United Community Bank