The Communicator - July 2024

JULY 2024

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 7

The

Communicator 2

New Adventures Ahead for Leaders

Changes on MACEDC board & in Command on Minot AFB

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9

Keep It Local Coalition Members Across ND

Preserving essential local services and safeguarding local control

PARTNERING WITH MINOT PARKS FOR MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY

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Military Appreciation at the Fair

Honoring military families with a day of food and fun

THE SCENES ON 14 BEHIND WAYFINDERS VIDEO

DO YOU KNOW YOUR

16 CHAMBER BENEFITS?

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LEARNING TO ATTRACT TALENT TO MINOT AT FARGO CONFERENCE

THANK YOU, MEMBER INVESTORS! PO Box 940 Minot, ND 58702-0940 (701) 852-6000 www.minotchamberedc.com CHAMBER EDC STAFF Brekka Kramer, President | CEO brekka@minotchamberedc.com

Your support of our operation allows us to advocate for the Minot community and fulfill our strategic initiatives. It helps create a stronger, more robust city.

CORNERSTONE $10,000+ ANNUAL SUPPORT

Carla Dolan, Vice President carla@minotchamberedc.com Katie Dotson, Communications & Outreach Specialist katie@minotchamberedc.com Chanda DeCent, Finance Director chanda@minotchamberedc.com Keli Rosselli-Sullivan, Workforce Development Specialist & Military Liaison keli@minotchamberedc.com Jaime Hauge, Executive Assistant jaime@minotchamberedc.com Mark Lyman, Economic Development Specialist mark@minotchamberedc.com Marie Sanders, Finance Assistant marie@minotchamberedc.com Kelly Ryan-Johnson, Administrative Assistant kelly@minotchamberedc.com MOTOR VEHICLE DEPARTMENT Lacey Coleman, Manager Tammy Hanson, Clerk Wendy Keldson, Clerk Tracey Oja, Clerk Kim Reedy, Clerk Courtney Stroschein, Clerk Destiny Waddle, Clerk

MAGIC $5,000 ANNUAL SUPPORT

CHAMBER EDC BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair: Cassidy Hjelmstad | SRT

Chair-Elect: Ryan Ackerman | Ackerman-Estvold Past Chair: Kevin Black | Creedence Energy Services Treasurer: Missy Feist-Erickson | Peoples State Bank Beth Feldner | Xcel Energy Peter B. Hankla | McGee, Hankla & Backes, P.C. Jonn Knecht | Bravera Bank John M. Kutch | Trinity Health Brent Lohnes | Hess Corporation Jason Olson | Ward County Mayor Tom Ross | City of Minot Dr. Steve Shirley | Minot State University Jason Zimmerman | Minot Area Community Foundation

PREMIER $2,500 ANNUAL SUPPORT AGT Foods USA Blue Cross Blue Shield of ND BNSF Railway Brady, Martz & Associates, P.C. Concrete Mobile LLC Delta Vacations Gravel Products Investors Management & Marketing Logical Control Systems McGee, Hankla & Backes, P.C. Midco

Minot Automotive Company Minot Milling Minot Paving Minot State University North Star Community Credit Union Odney Peoples State Bank Ryan Family Dealerships SandPro Trusted Tire & Auto Walmart Supercenter

MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JULY 2024

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MINOT AIR FORCE BASE SEES CHANGE OF COMMAND FOR 5TH AND 91ST WINGS The month of June saw many changes in command across the U.S. Air Force, including both the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing on Minot Air Force Base. Minot Area Chamber EDC Honorary Commanders and civic leaders were in attendance for numerous change of command ceremonies as we wished our friends best wishes in their next chapter and welcomed new leadership to the Magic City.

Col. James Schlabach assumed command of the 91st Missile Wing from Col. Kenneth McGhee during a change of command ceremony on June 18. Before assuming command of the 91st MW, Schlabach served as the commander of the 91st Operations Group at Minot AFB. Col. Jesse Lamarand assumed command of the 5th Bomb Wing from Col. Daniel Hoadley during a change of command ceremony on June 28. Prior to assuming command of the 5th BW, Lamarand was the commander of the 2nd Operations Group, Barksdale Air Force Base, LA, leading daily operations for the Air Force's largest bomber group.

TOP TO BOTTOM: 5TH BOMB WING CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY, 91ST MISSILE WING CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY

We’re incredibly thankful for Col. Hoadley, Col. McGhee, and all the leaders who have made Minot home over the past few years and are off on a new adventure, but are excited to welcome all the new faces and are eager to show off the magic in Minot!

CONGRATULATIONS TO MARK VOLLMER ON YOUR RETIREMENT! We want to take a moment to congratulate past Minot Area Chamber EDC board member Mark Vollmer on his retirement as Superintendent of Minot Public Schools (MPS) after nearly 13 years.

Vollmer has spent 35 years in education, worked for Minot Public Schools since 2002 when he was Assistant Principal and Principal at Magic City Campus, and has been the Superintendent of Minot Pubic Schools since 2011. He helped the schools navigate through hardships like the 2011 flood, and has encouraged tremendous growth throughout his tenure. Recently, he was pivotal in leading the charge to acquire funding for the new Minot North High School, due to open in the fall.

We're so honored to have worked with someone that cares so much about the community and creating the best learning environments for the next generation. We want to thank him for all his hard work with everything he’s done on the board, and wish him the best in his retirement.

MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JULY 2024

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A DAY IN THE

MILITARY On June 7th, the Minot Area Chamber EDC teamed up with our friends at Minot Parks for a day to thank our military personnel for everything they do by hosting Military Appreciation Day at the Parks. At Oak Park, the Military Affairs Committee was proud to serve lunch to local military members and their families. Yard games, bounce houses, and more made the event memorable for people of all ages!

In addition to lunch, personnel and their families could bring their military I.D. for free admission for skating at the MAYSA Arena, along with day passes to the Roosevelt Park Pool and Roosevelt Park Zoo.

MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JULY 2024

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PARKS FOR

APPRECIATION We’d like to extend an extra special thank you to Verendrye Electric Cooperative for their generous support as our Presenting Sponsor. You made this day possible, and we couldn't have done it without you!

Don’t forget that Tuesday, July 23rd will be Military Appreciation day at the fair, which will include a free lunch and various discounts on gate passes, rides, and more with a military I.D. Here's to community, camaraderie, and honoring our military families. Until next time!

MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JULY 2024

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SHARING THE MAGIC IN MINOT AND LEARNING FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTS AT 2ND ANNUAL ROLECALL CONFERENCE IN FARGO The 2nd annual RoleCall Talent Summit took place in Fargo in early June. This four-day event focuses entirely on talent, bringing together the country’s most innovative, creative, strategic leaders and practitioners to dig deep, share successes, and continue pushing this industry forward. The attendees were from backgrounds in economic development, chambers of commerce, tourism, or government professionals that want to change the way places attract talent. However, it’s also open to any person that is passionate about their community and making it better.

Minot Area Chamber EDC (MACEDC) President | CEO Brekka Kramer, Workforce Development | Military Liaison Keli Rosselli-Sullivan, and Economic Development Specialist Mark Lyman attended along with several other economic professionals from across the United States to collaborate on talent attraction. The goal of this summit was to empower our communities with the tools and insights to attract top talent to drive economic growth. RoleCall is the talent acquisition agency that the MACEDC teamed up with to create the Minot area WayFinders.

MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JULY 2024

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MINOT | WAYFINDERS NEW TO MINOT? LET US SHOW YOU AROUND! We get it — moving to a new community can be intimidating. We're so glad you're here in Minot. Let us make it easier for you!

Simply complete an application at magicinminot.com. We'll connect you to a WayFinder who will help you get to know your new home in the Magic City.

Our WayFinders have a wide range of backgrounds and interests, and they're passionate about our city. They want to show you how great it is to call Minot home!

SCAN HERE TO GET STARTED WayFinders by RoleCall

Minot Area Chamber EDC | PO Box 940, Minot, ND 58702 | 701.852.6000

STATEWIDE COALITION LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO PRESERVE LOCAL CONTROL AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES IN NORTH DAKOTA In June, Keep It Local, a diverse coalition representing various community and political groups in North Dakota, announced the launch of a campaign aimed at preserving essential local services and safeguarding local control against the proposed initiated ballot measure seeking to eliminate property tax in North Dakota.

The Keep It Local Coalition is rallying against the proposed measure. Proponents had until June 29 to gather signatures for the measure’s inclusion on the November General Election ballot. If passed, the measure would significantly impact the ability of local governments to fund vital services through property tax revenue. Instead of local officials listening to the concerns of their constituents and ensuring their annual budget fits the needs of the community, local government will need to go to the state legislature to request funds for a new school, additional firefighters, a sewer system, a police station, roads, etc.

“Supporters of the measure claim that we can maintain excellent public services without paying property taxes,” remarked Josh Askvig, AARP ND State Director. “They often claim that we can use the Legacy Fund to cover the funding gap. However, the specifics on this funding source are limited and come painfully short of addressing the deficit.”

If the measure were to pass, the state legislature would be tasked with providing annual property tax revenue replacement payments to political subdivisions, amounting to approximately $1.329 billion per year to cover the funding gap.

"This proposed measure is promising a quick fix, but the consequences would be dire for our communities," remarked Sheriff Steve Hunt, president of the North Dakota Sheriffs and Deputies Association. "While no one enjoys paying taxes, property taxes are the lifeblood of our local services. From funding schools and public safety to maintaining roads and parks, property taxes ensure that our communities remain vibrant and safe places to live."

The Keep It Local Coalition urges North Dakotans to consider the far-reaching consequences of abolishing property taxes and to support efforts to preserve local control and maintain the quality of life in their communities.

For more information on the Keep It Local campaign, visit https://www.keepitlocalnd.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JULY 2024

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KEEP IT LOCAL COALITION MEMBERSHIP Agriculture/Energy/Natural Resources Lignite Energy Council ND Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives ND Corn Growers Association ND Farmers Union ND Grain Growers Association ND Petroleum Council ND Soybean Growers Association Associations/Nonprofit Organizations AARP ND American Council of Engineering Companies ND Association of General Contractors of ND Broadband Association of North Dakota Economic Development Association of ND Health Policy Consortium Minnesota Nurses Association ND AFL-CIO ND Association of Counties ND League of Cities ND Recreation and Park Association ND Township Officer Association ND Senior Service Providers ND State Association of City & County Health Officials Vision West Western Dakota Energy Association Chambers Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce Dickinson Area Chamber Fargo/Moorhead/West Fargo Chamber Grand Forks/East Grand Forks Chamber Greater North Dakota Chamber Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Minot Area Chamber EDC Williston Area Chamber

Education ND Association of Secondary School Principals ND Association of County Superintendents ND Association of Elementary School Principals ND Association of School Administrators ND Association of School Business Officials ND Association of Technology Leaders ND Career and Technology Education Administrators ND Council of Educational Leaders ND Library Association ND of Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association ND Regional Education Association Leaders ND School Boards Association ND Small Organized Schools ND Special Education Study Council ND Student Activity Association ND Student Honor Society ND United Real Estate Bismarck/Mandan Board of Realtors Building Industry Association of the Red River Valley Fargo Moorhead Association of Realtors Grand Forks Area Association of Realtors High Plains Association of REALTORS Minot Association of Builders Minot Board of Realtors ND Association of Builders ND Association of Realtors Williston Board of Realtors Public Safety Chiefs of Police Association of ND ND EMS Association ND Fire Chief’s Association ND Sheriffs and Deputies Association Professional Firefighters of ND

MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JULY 2024

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TASTY TREATS AND BUSINESS FEATS - ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY OF PRIDE DAIRY PRESIDENT KRISS ALLARD On June 13th, the Start Up Minot crowd gathered to listen to local entrepreneur, Kriss Allard, share his business story as he discussed the growth and future of Pride Dairy.

Kriss talked about how he got his start in business, and explained how he’d been President of Sunrise Distributing, where he was able to take a small home milk delivery into a large distribution business.

Kriss’s passion for the dairy industry and background in distribution led him to purchase Pride Dairy, where he’s been working to grow product lines and continuously expand distribution. The audience had a wide variety of questions ranging from ice cream flavors to company growth, and Kriss brought great answers that led to even more discussion.

Click here to watch the event recording on our Facebook page!

DON'T MISS OUR NEXT NETWORKING EVENT! FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Kent Kirkhammer

President & CEO of NewKota Services & Rentals

Niki Brose

Owner of Flower Central

THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2024 | 7:30 AM | CARNEGIE CENTER MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JULY 2024

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STRENGTHENING CONNECTIONS AT ND CHAMBER EXECUTIVES CONFERENCE Greater North Dakota Chamber (GNDC) brought together executives from across the state for the first ND Chamber of Commerce Executives Summit. A focus of the summit was on preparing for the upcoming legislative session and where we can find a unified voice for business with public policies that ensure businesses have the ability to grow North Dakota’s economy and secure a position in the global market. Our goal is to ensure North Dakota has one of the best business climates in the nation. The summit included North Dakota industry updates, legislative outlook discussions with the Governor’s office and ND Legislators.

Pictured L to R: Arik Spencer (GNDC), Antoinette Heier (Hazen Chamber of Commerce - Convention & Visitor’s Bureau), Shannon Full (Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber), Brenda Nagel (Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC), Barry Wilfahrt (Grand Forks East Grand Forks Chamber), Suzie Kenner (Devils Lake Chamber & Tourism), Brekka Kramer (Minot Area Chamber EDC), Carter Fong (Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce), Anna Nelson (Williston Area Chamber of Commerce)

BEHIND THE SCENES FOR WAYFINDERS COMMERCIAL SHOOT In June, Minot Area Chamber EDC (MACEDC) WayFinders, friends from the community, and Minot State University Summer Theatre cast members joined MACEDC as we partnered with Odney and Bennett Creative Media to shoot video footage for an upcoming WayFinders campaign.

Earlier this year, 18 organizations, including MACEDC and other regional development groups, were approved to share in $4.19 million in Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP) grants. MACEDC was awarded $250,000 in order to further promote the WayFinders initiative that encourages relocation to Minot.

WayFinders is a platform designed to make community onboarding easy. When someone inquires about a WayFinder, they can choose a WayFinder themselves or be matched with someone who shares similar interests. This person then can be a “first friend” in the community, and answer specific questions, or make connections to those with answers. Plus, they’re available to make connections to things to do, places to see, and people who can help new community members settle in.

Grads, veterans, young families, and ‘boomerangs’ (individuals that have lived in Minot before that might be looking to return) are the targeted audiences for the campaign. We’re excited to show more as the final products come to fruition, and hope that they’ll be beneficial in bringing more magic to Minot.

MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JULY 2024

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ARE YOU GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR MEMBER INVESTOR BENEFITS? How does your business or organization or you engage with the Minot Area Chamber EDC (MACEDC)? Some member-investors simply want to be a part of what is happening in the community, others want to get involved, while many see the importance of networking. Whatever brought you to join MACEDC – thank you! No matter the reason or level of involvement, we want to make sure you are taking advantage of all available perks to maximize your membership with us.

MACEDC has a valuable electronic directory of member investors. You simply need to access your account and you can find all the businesses along with their contact information and employees. Click the link below to log in, and feel free to contact us if you need help with your password. | Minot Area Chamber EDC (chamberdata.net) Is your profile information up to date? While you’re logged into your account, make sure your contact information including address, emails, phone numbers, and employees are current. Be sure to include your logo and write up a description of your business or organization.

As a member investor, you can also post job openings for free. That information can be provided when you are logged into your account, scroll down to job openings and then you can post a job.

MACEDC provides a packet of information to newcomers at Minot Air Force Base. As a member investor, you can provide an insert for this packet to help inform new airmen on what businesses are available in Minot and the area.

The member investor news section in our monthly Communicator, electronic newsletter, is a space for member investors to provide news about their business or organization. Frequency of stories is tied to member investor level.

Contact Carla Dolan if you have any questions regarding any of these perks. carla@minotchamberedc.com

MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JULY 2024

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ADOPT AN AIRMAN The Adopt an Airman program fosters supportive relationships between Minot community members and Airmen who are just starting their Air Force careers. First-term Airmen enrolled in the program are not only new to the Air Force, but many are far away from home, family, and friends for the first time. In addition to the Airmen themselves adjusting to these life changes, some are newly married, so their spouses are also experiencing the strains of these significant transitions.

Adjusting to the demands of being in the military and living in a new town far away from family can be stressful and lonely. It’s crucial that our Airman feel at home “outside the gate”. You as a host will benefit from an increased understanding of military life and a joy in knowing that you are making a positive difference in the lives of these young Airmen. By providing a home-cooked meal or an adventure in Minot or the surrounding area, a listening ear, or a sound piece of advice, we hope that you will develop a friendship that will last even beyond these Airmen’s first assignment here in Minot.

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CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD HOST APPLICATION TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, OR TO ASK QUESTIONS AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM, PLEASE EMAIL: KELI@MINOTCHAMBEREDC.COM OR CALL THE MACEDC OFFICE AT 701-852-6000

MEET OUR NEW MEMBER INVESTORS! THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND SUPPORTING OUR ONGOING MISSION.

THE DEPOT & BAGGAGE CLAIM 15 MAIN ST NORTH • MINOT, ND 58703 (701) 839-8030 • DIVERS@MINOT.COM Enjoy history and flavor at The Depot - Minot’s newest bar & grill in a historic downtown location. Aaron & Sonya Faken have opened up a bar and restaurant providing a great atmosphere with delicious food and tasty drinks. Stop by today!

EDWARD JONES – JULIE ERZ 1500 21ST AVE NW SUITE #104 • MINOT, ND, 58703 701-838-0142 • EDWARDJONES.COM Julie Erz feels it’s important to work with someone who takes time to understand you. Contact her today to see how personal service can make a difference.

MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JUNE 2024

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THANK YOU TO OUR MEMBER INVESTORS WHO RENEWED IN JUNE! 701 Realty, Inc. AgCountry Farm Credit Services API Bakken Chapter Arrowhead Ace Hardware Aspire Community Federal Credit Union Azurance Group Big O Tires Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Bourgault Industries Ltd Bravera Broadway Bean and Bagel Co. Broadway Family Dentistry Central Power Electric Coop., Inc. Clayton Fegley Coldwell Banker 1st Minot Realty Connole & Somerville Plumbing, Heating & A/C Inc. Cornerstone Bank Craft Builders, Inc. Dakota Truck and Farm Duane Poynter Edward Jones - Julie Erz Elison Assisted Living Minot Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation Forever Fitness 24/7 General Scrap Inc., Continental Metal Products Gravel Products Homesteaders Restaurant Hometown Radio Group (WGO/ZOO/SUNNY Radio) Houston Engineering, Inc. Jerome's Collision Center

Magic City Auto & Truck Repair Magic City Financial Group, L.P. Main Electric Construction, Inc. Make-A-Wish McLean Electric Cooperative Minot Dakota Square Scheels Minot Junior Golf Association Minot Milling Minot Multiple Listing Service Mowbray & Son Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Murphy Motors Next to New Minot NEXUS PATH Family Healing Northwest Tire & Auto Service Olson Family Dental, PLLC Pinnacle Financial Group Prairie Engineering, P.C. Prairie Property Management Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. Qdoba Ryan GMC/Buick/Cadillac Signs Today, Inc. Slim Chickens Stein Construction, Inc Subway The Depot & Baggage Claim The Depot & Baggage Claim US Bank Western Agency Inc. Xcel Energy

MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JULY 2024

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JUNE 2024

RIBBON CUTTINGS

LEGACY HEALTH CLINIC 1324 20th Avenue Southwest • Minot Legacy Health Clinic is part of the Great North American Form Fit & Function tour and Ambassadors helped to recognize that with a ribbon cutting. Legacy Health Clinic is a patient centered wellness and primary care clinic.

CREEDENCE ENERGY SERVICES 603 72nd Avenue Northeast • Minot Creedence Energy Services has a new operations facility located east of Minot. Ambassadors were on hand to cut the ribbon to celebrate.

MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JULY 2024

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JUNE 2024 RIBBON CUTTINGS

SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE PARK - JOHN SINN 1030 North Broadway • Minot A memorial has been dedicated in the memory of John Sinn, who volunteered at the Scandinavian Heritage Park for many years and was integral in shaping it into what it is today.

SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE PARK - BOB WHETTER 2400 10th Street Southwest • Minot A picnic shelter was dedicated to longtime Scandinavian Heritage Park worker, Bob Whetter, who made sure the park offered all the area needed for families and fun.

MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JULY 2024

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JUNE 2024 RIBBON CUTTINGS

THE DEPOT & BAGGAGE CLAIM 15 Main Street North • Minot Ambassadors cut the ribbon at Minot’s newest restaurant and bar, The Depot & Baggage Claim. The establishment is located in the former train depot downtown and features delicious food, a bar and a soon to be opened patio. Stop down today for a bite and see the historical building.

MINOT HONEYBEES Corbett Field • 1124 Burdick Expy East • Minot Ambassadors cut the ribbon for Minot’s newest source of entertainment, the Honeybees. The Women’s softball team launched their first season June 25.

MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JULY 2024

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Eagle Awards CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR JUNE 2024 RECIPIENTS!

Aaron Stenvold SRT

Carol Gunning Marketplace Foods

Everenn Meier JCPenney

Durand Jones Trinity Health

Florence Helde Target

Cutter Flory Rainbow Photo Labs

Dr. Mathew Samson Horizon Family Chiropractic

Rylan Neiszner Tollefson's Carpetland

Larry Stenson Menards

Adriana Puentes Trinity Health

Kara Klein Trinity Health

Cory Almy Minot's Finest Collision Center

Thank you to Homesteaders Restaurant for providing gift certificates to our Eagle Award recipients!

Nicole Klein Niess Impressions

To nominate someone for an Eagle Award for Outstanding Customer Service, visit MinotChamberEDC.com/EagleAwards

Carmen Haugen Prairie Rose Quilt Shop

Not Pictured:

MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JULY 2024

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COMMUNITY NEWS THE FOLLOWING STORIES COME FROM OUR MEMBER INVESTORS AND COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS. SUBMIT YOUR BUSINESS NEWS TO KATIE@MINOTCHAMBEREDC.COM.

MINOT STATE PITCHER JOINS MINOT HONEYBEES JASMINE BLIZZARD TO PITCH IN SOFTBALL TEAM’S INAUGURAL SEASON Minot State University pitcher Jasmine Blizzard is staying in town this summer to play with the Minot Honeybees softball team for the 2024 season. A redshirt senior hailing from La Verne, CA, Blizzard returned to play for the Beavers in the 2023-2024 season as a graduate student and will be bringing her NCAA D2 pitching experience to the Minot Honeybees in the team’s first season.

“I’m very excited and honored to be able to play on one of the first Northwoods softball teams,” said Blizzard.

“I’m also excited to play in front of the home crowd. Minot is such a supportive community and the environment is amazing.”

Blizzard pitched in 22 games for MSU and started in 9 games in the 2022 season before redshirting in 2023.

During the 2022 season, she pitched in 22 games, started in 9, and pitched 4 complete games. She pitched a 5hit shutout against the University of Mary and struck out a total of 61 players.

Prior to attending MSU, the right-handed pitcher played one season at Howard College (Texas). While at Howard, she proved to be a capable pitcher, throwing in 21 total games and starting in 19 games. She also pitched 2 shutouts in the 2020-21 season.

She played varsity softball at Bonita High School where she started in 28 games, only allowed .266 opposing players on base, and struck out 92 batters.

“Getting this opportunity to play against toplevel competition is a challenge I’m looking forward to,” Blizzard said.

Fans eager to see Blizzard and the Honeybees play in their debut season can visit honeybeessoftball.com for tickets, game schedules, and group opportunities. For realtime updates on all roster announcements and team news, follow the Honeybees on social media or sign up for their e-newsletter.

MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JULY 2024

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MINOT AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANTS FUNDS TO NORTHERN PINES STABLES The Minot Area Community Foundation (MACF) has granted $3,000 to Northern Pines Stables. This grant was made possible through the Mike & Dorothy Dolan Fund.

Northern Pines Stables operates in Sawyer, ND and currently services around 180 clients with the most popular age group being ages 5-12. Riding lessons and educational camps for both kids and adults focus on horse education, horse care, as well as time spent on the facility’s horses for those who don’t own a horse.

Additionally, the lessons and camps offer physical and mental support to those who are searching for a therapeutic benefit.

Veronica Enander, Barn Manager at Northern Pines Stables states, “We are so extremely honored and grateful to have been selected by the Minot Area Community Foundation for a grant. Our lesson riding program is something we are proud to offer to Minot and the surrounding communities with our great set of lesson horses, staff, and beautiful location in Sawyer.”

Since the recent closure of a local equine program and the influx of new community members through the Minot Air Force Base, new clients are coming in every day. Facility & equipment updates are needed to accommodate new clients and offer additional riding lessons and educational camps. The grant will be used for riding tack, materials for new obstacles, educational tools, and safety equipment for riders.

“Various types of activities can provide physical and mental support to their participants. The use of horses is just another unique and proven method to provide opportunities to build confidence and skills as these individuals continue to grow and develop” said Jason Zimmerman, President of Minot Area Community Foundation.

MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JULY 2024

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MUSIC, LITERATURE, AND BREAKFAST AT PRAIRIE SKY BREADS FOR SECOND BOOKFEST Mark your calendars and get ready for an exciting Independent Music Festival that starts earlier and ends earlier while revolving around Midwest Music, Books, and great Breakfast food!

Try to stay with us. It started as a joke. We wanted to fest, but in a way that's more reasonable for 30 year olds. And then, we started a bakery and we started joking around that our next fest was going to start in the morning so we could be done by 8 PM. Which gained momentum and we started teasing that we'd cook breakfast and start the festing, we'd call it breakFEST. But there was another fest called breakFEST so we thought about other names and we joked about it just being called SecoND BreakFEST (a Lord of the Rings reference, just nerdy enough to stick.)

And then our baker got really into birds so then we crossed out the R and called it BeakFEST……

And last year we voted on what to call it next and we decided BookFEST (so we could invite Mainstreet Books to collab like the old days.)

This year the fest mascot and new PSB character is a Book Worm.. Earl (the early worm) Baker Bird DOES NOT eat Earl... Anyhow.. Join us as we make the fourth year of our our fest a reality.

Admission at the door- sliding scale $10-$20 per day. Food and drink at an additional cost.

August 29th - Kick off show booked and run by Red Willow Collective Featuring Noun and Lung at Mainstreet Books!

August 30th & 31st - Independent Music all day over books & breakfast- hosted by and at Prairie Sky Breads.

Books & Tabling by Mainstreet Books all weekend long!

MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JULY 2024

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LEGACY FINANCIAL PARTNERS HONORED AS TOP 250 PRIVATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT TEAM BY BARRON’S Legacy Financial Partners, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC was recognized as one of “Barron’s Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams” in the country by Barron’s, a publication covering business and finance. Barron’s shines a light on financial advisors and their teams who have experience, designations and a solid compliance record.

Legacy Financial Partners was chosen based on assets under management, revenue generated for their firm, and the quality of their practice. The team focuses on helping their clients plan for their financial goals for a lifetime – through a personal long-term financial planning relationship.

Legacy Financial Partners consists of 45 financial advisors, over 50 support staff and operates out of 27 offices across the upper Midwest. As a private wealth advisory practice, Legacy Financial Partners provides financial advice that is anchored in a solid understanding of client needs and expectations and provided in one-on-one relationships with their clients.

For more information, please contact them at 1-800411-7572 or visit their website at planwithLFP.com.

MINOT YMCA 1ST ANNUAL SEPTEMBER 11TH REMEMBRANCE PATRIOT RUCK MARCH Calling all veterans, first responders, Active Duty/Reserves/National Guard military members, and anyone who wants to ruck in memory of those who lost their lives and those who survived the horrific acts of September 11th! The Minot Family YMCA is excited to extend an invitation to you to join us in support of our upcoming Patriot Day Ruck March event. Patriot Day holds profound significance for our nation, marking a day of remembrance for the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and honoring the courageous men and women who have served and continue to serve in our armed forces, law enforcement, and emergency services.

To commemorate Patriot Day this year, we are organizing an 8-mile round trip Ruck March, scheduled to take place on September 6, 2024.

This physically demanding event symbolizes the burdens carried by our service members and first responders and serves as a powerful tribute to their sacrifices. Our goal for this event is to raise funds to provide YMCA program sponsorships for children of veterans and active duty service members. We believe that every child deserves access to enriching programs and we aim to make these opportunities more accessible to the families who have sacrificed so much for our country.

Check-in and last-minute registration on the day of the event will be at 8:00 AM. The ruck begins at 9:00 AM, and ends with a free BBQ and booths at the finish line!

Pre-Registration: $20 Day of Event Registration: $30 All fees and donations support discounts for youth programs for veterans' and military personnel's families.

For questions or if anyone would like to donate or sponsor participants, please contact Nick (USMC) or Chris (Ret CMSgt, USAF) at the YMCA. Let's march together to honor, remember, and support our heroes!

Pre-Register Now: here!

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MINOT AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANTS FUNDS TO TAUBE MUSEUM The Minot Area Community Foundation (MACF) has granted $10,000 to the Lillian and Coleman Taube Museum of Art. This grant was made possible through the Mike & Dorothy Dolan Fund and was used to help fund the purchase and installation of a new wheelchair lift at the Taube Museum.

The Taube’s previous wheelchair lift was out of commission for nearly two years, making the historical building inaccessible in downtown Minot. The building’s layout requires stairs to access all gallery spaces, so the lift is imperative for those with mobility restrictions to be able to enjoy exhibits. Since the installation of the new lift in April of this year, Taube staff have noticed the lift being used almost daily, indicating the significance of an accessible building.

Rachel Alfaro, Taube Executive Director states, “All of us at the Taube are thrilled to have our facility accessible again. It is so important to us that the arts are readily available to everyone in the community, and we cannot be more grateful to those who have supported the replacement of our lift. We will continue to make improvements to our facility and programming because art is for everyone.”

With the replacement of the wheelchair lift, barrier-free access is available to the upper and lower galleries which include a new permanent exhibit called the Sketchbook Project. Shelves within the gallery are available for the public to browse some 28,000 sketchbooks from artists around the world right here in Minot, ND. Unique exhibits like this display a variety of national and local artists and position the Taube as a true staple in our community. A working wheelchair lift in the building helps to enhance the quality of life and create a truly welcoming environment.

“So much of what we do at the Foundation is about creating and supporting opportunities in our communities” said Jason Zimmerman, President of Minot Area Community Foundation. “One of the basic tenets of opportunity is accessibility. Once again, regardless of ability, all patrons of the Taube have an opportunity to experience the installations and offerings on multiple floors.”

PHOTO L TO R: Perry Olson, MACF, Jason Zimmerman, MACF, Rachel Alfaro, Taube Museum, Andrea Hood, MACF

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MINOT STATE'S WILLIAMS SELECTED FOR EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Minot State University’s Alaric Williams was selected for the 2024-25 Executive Leadership Academy (ELA) cohort by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC).

The ELA is a yearlong program to develop the next generation of college and university presidents. The program is jointly sponsored

by CIC, AASCU, and the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI).

“I am humbled and honored to be selected as a member of the 20242025 Executive Leadership Academy,” Williams said. “For decades, AALI, AASCU, and CIC have had a reputation for developing future leaders in higher education. Being a part of next year’s cohort is truly a privilege. I want to thank Dr. Steve Shirley for endorsing my participation, and I am excited about the learning opportunities I will encounter over the next year.”

Williams began serving as assistant vice president for academic affairs at Minot State in February 2023. He has 20-plus years of experience in higher education.

Williams joins 37 higher education leaders who will participate in the selective program that prepares experienced provosts and vice presidents to take on positions of greater responsibility — including college presidencies. From a competitive pool of applicants, CIC selected 18 ELA participants from its membership and AASCU selected 19 participants.

The first of two seminars kicked off June 13-15, in Washington, D.C., led by current and former college presidents and specialists in key areas related to higher education.

Since 2009, more than 100 of the participants who completed the ELA program have been appointed as presidents or chancellors, and many more have advanced to other senior administrative positions. The ELA program develops the wide-ranging skills that new presidents and senior executives need to meet the challenges of today’s educational environment.

“Preparing the next generation of leaders is essential. As we have seen, leadership requires a complex combination of skill, character, and vision,” said CIC President Marjorie Hass. “I’m proud that CIC has such wonderful partners in AASCU and AALI to continue offering the ELA program that encourages diversity in higher education leadership. The program has evolved over the past 15 years to ensure that new leaders from varied backgrounds will be equipped to serve all students.”

Some highlights of the ELA program include an individualized professional experience plan designed to fill gaps in each participant’s skills and experience; mentorship by the participant’s current president and the ELA program director; individualized executive coaching; and peer-to-peer participant-led webinars, regional gatherings, and activities. ELA participants will return to Washington, DC, in June 2025 for a second seminar.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32 “The need for strong leadership in higher education, amid the mounting pressures our institutions face, has never been more important than it is today,” said AASCU President and CEO Charles L. Welch. “AASCU’s longstanding commitment to identify, prepare, and mentor future leaders has been a cornerstone of the association, and the Executive Leadership Academy, in partnership with CIC and AALI, enables participants to develop the wide-ranging skills required to meet the challenges of today’s educational environment and serve today’s diverse student population.”

Higher education organizations CIC, AASCU, and AALI recognize it is more essential than ever that the pipeline of senior leaders prepares a diverse range of candidates from all backgrounds to succeed. With generous support from AALI, CIC offers fellowships to encourage broad and representative participation in ELA. Preference is given to nominees from under-resourced institutions that otherwise might be unable to support their participation.

Individuals currently serving in cabinet-level positions in any division of their institution are eligible to participate in ELA. Approximately 35 participants — half from CIC member institutions and half from AASCU institutions — are selected annually to allow for participants from both independent and state-supported colleges and universities.

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ADVANCED PRIMARY CARE CENTER TO OPEN IN MINOT THROUGH STRATEGIC COLLABORATION HEALTHYDAKOTA MUTUAL HOLDINGS, CROSSOVER HEALTH AND TRINITY HEALTH TO COLLABORATE ON VITELLACARESM ADVANCED PRIMARY CARE CENTER IN MINOT HealthyDakota Mutual Holdings, Crossover Health and Trinity Health are collaborating to open VitellaCareSM, an advanced primary care center in Minot later this fall. This collaboration will help increase access to primary care providers and services in Minot and northwest North Dakota. The VitellaCare center in Minot will be managed by Crossover and located within Trinity’s Healthcare Campus and Medical District. Accessibility to these centers will be built into certain Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota individual and group plans. It will offer in-person and virtual access to comprehensive healthcare services and proactive health management.

Care services include integrated primary care, wellness check-ups, preventive care, routine lab draws, chronic condition management, mental health consultations and more. VitellaCare is also committed to simple pricing and billing. Patients can expect predictable fees to ensure consistent costs.

VitellaCare provides patients with a unique, holistic approach to physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. VitellaCare will provide patient-focused care with a primary care provider-led team that includes nurses, doctors and mental health providers for each patient. This approach focuses on preventive, coordinated care that helps patients avoid higher cost care, such as chronic condition management and emergency interventions. Similar centers have achieved up to 15% reduction in total cost of care by reducing the need for more expensive emergency and specialty care and increasing the quality of care.

Patients will have many ways to receive care from their team via video visits, messaging, phone and inperson appointments at the center.

Crossover Health has opened advanced primary care centers across the country in partnership with a variety of organizations.

“This strategic collaboration represents Trinity’s forward-thinking commitment to advancing healthcare access to primary care and improving community wellbeing,” said John Kutch, President and CEO of Trinity Health.

“We are excited to partner with HealthyDakota and Trinity Health in what we anticipate will be a catalyst in advancing accessible, high-quality care across the state. We’re thrilled to work with healthcare leaders who share our vision by investing in comprehensive and collaborative health services in North Dakota,” said Scott Shreeve, MD, CEO and Founder of Crossover Health.

"Addressing the rising costs and challenges facing our healthcare system today requires collaboration and innovation," said Dan Conrad, President and CEO of HealthyDakota Mutual Holdings. “With VitellaCare, we have the opportunity with Crossover and Trinity Health to show how we can work together across both new and existing systems to improve the way care is delivered in North Dakota.”

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JLG ARCHITECTS AWARDED ENR MOUNTAIN STATES DESIGN FIRM OF THE YEAR Engineering News-Record (ENR) recently announced JLG Architects as the 2024 ENR Mountain States Design Firm of the Year, an award that coincides with a top 10 ranking on ENR’s list of Top Design Firms (Colorado, Wyoming, Dakotas).

This is the second time JLG Architects has been recognized as ENR’s Design Firm of the Year. The firm was first recognized in 2019 for completing a decade-long shift from a generalist business strategy to employeeownership led by five specialized practice studios, including higher education, K12, healthcare, sport, and community.

ENR’s 2024 recognition was based on the firm’s recent projects and a reported $52.01 million in regional revenue for 2023. This revenue marks a nearly 20% increase over the previous year, just shy of doubling the level posted when the firm first received recognition in 2019. In this time span, JLG has also nearly doubled its workforce, expanding from 120 Midwest-based employee-owners to over 200 nationwide.

“Few could have predicted the upheaval that would soon follow as the pandemic affected lives, communities and the economy. Yet JLG managed not only to weather those challenges but also quickly return to growth,” as reported by ENR journalist, Jim Parsons said of the time since JLG last won the award.

As JLG’s CEO, Michelle Mongeon Allen told ENR, “The key to mitigating the pandemic’s effects was staying close to clients and focusing on being a well-run business. Rather than risk losing people as revenue slowed, JLG redeployed staff to functions such as business development, advancing and formalizing integrated design methodologies, and building out platforms for project processes and customer relations. As a result of this investment, we were very well-positioned as projects came off hold and pent-up demand surged, including success in landing some of the region’s most important and impactful projects.”

In choosing JLG as Design Firm of the Year, ENR noted several of the firm’s recently completed and upcoming projects, including Augustana University’s $72 million Midco Arena, a 25-year master plan for Altru Health Systems in Grand Forks, ND, and the upcoming Moorhead Community Center & Public Library.

“The Moorhead Community Center & Public Library will reactivate the core of the community, bringing an ‘All Under One Roof’ 70,000-square-foot epicenter that weaves together library programming, a second-story walking loop, indoor and outdoor play, community gathering spaces, and educational opportunities for enrichment,” said JLG’s Rob Remark, AIA, Principal Architect.

As ENR reported, Kristie Leshovsky, Moorhead’s community development director, praised the JLG and Miller Hull partnership for “ensuring all voices were heard for ‘the once-in-a-lifetime project.”

“We looked at their proposal and said, ‘Yeah, that’s it!’ Understanding the different aspects of what the community wants and being able to put the best uses together will result in a really great building.”

“We really wanted to make this building for the community, by the community,” Leshovsky stated to ENR. “They’ve done a great job of working with all of the groups who we felt had to be involved in the process.”

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36 In Medora, ND, JLG is the Architect-of-Record for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (TRPL) – designed to be a “living library” that continues Roosevelt’s passion for conservation. Scheduled to open its doors in 2026, the Library will embrace the sweeping contours of the Badlands, honor ecological systems, and serve as a global model for sustainable living. JLG is working alongside the international design Architect and Design Landscape Architect Snøhetta, Landscape Architect-of-Record Confluence, and Construction Manager JE Dunn.

TRPL is pursuing several sustainability firsts, with a goal of achieving three concurrent certifications at the highest level – LBC, LEED Platinum, and SITES Platinum. “TRPL seeks to establish the next century of conservation by focusing on circularity and carbon-positive action that gives back, resulting in making more than is consumed,” said JLG’s Patrick Thibaudeau, Principal Sustainability Officer, LEED Fellow, LFA. “TRPL seeks to be a living library that embraces the Badlands, honors ecological systems, and provides a model for sustainable living. We’re not just building a presidential library. We’re building an idea that has a powerful and transformative impact on the way we work, learn, and live.”

Also in western North Dakota, JLG is leading a $37-million medical training facility at Williston State College that will begin construction in 2025, along with the design of Heart River Women’s Transformation Center in Mandan, ND. Nearing the end of schematic design phase, the new minimum-security facility will support the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s efforts to address systemwide challenges residents face as they progress from incarceration into the community.

As reported by ENR, Colby Braun, NDDCR’s director, said “JLG has captured the agency’s concept of a facility fully focused on healing, change and rehabilitation. They’re able to understand problems of people living and working in the unit and design in a pretty specific way. The way they’ve put it into place is more than I expected.”

Just 20 miles west of North Dakota’s largest city, JLG is collaborating with Emerging Prairie on the design of its Grand Farm Innovation Campus in Casselton, ND – work aimed at developing autonomous technologies for the benefit of regional and global agriculture.

JLG is additionally leading the design of the Fargo Parks Sports Center at the Sanford Sports Complex in Fargo, ND. The grand opening event on May 29, 2024, marked the completion of the first phase, totaling approximately 290,000 square feet, designed by JLG Architects with McGough Construction.

The Fargo Parks Sports Center is currently home to four multi-sport courts, a championship court, a 95,000square-foot indoor turf field, an elevated 350-meter three-lane walking track, and 25,000 square feet dedicated to Sanford Sports, including Sanford Sports Performance, Sanford Sports Physical Therapy, and Sanford Sports Academy. The Sports Center also designates space for a Midco-sponsored lounge and Fargo Park District staff offices. At the completion of phase two, the facility will open nearly 400,000 square feet, positioned as a multi-purpose community recreation facility that accommodates a wide variety of indoor sports, activities, tournaments, ice hockey, and special events. “The impact of the facility will be great and will go far beyond sports and recreation,” said Fargo Park District’s Executive Director, Susan Faus. “The Fargo Parks Sports Center will serve more than 20,000 local children, provide gathering space for 20-plus local community organizations, and attract more than 1 million local and regional visitors annually. We are thrilled with the overall design of the Sports Center. The design team did amazing work from each individual space, the color selection, and every detail that makes this facility something the community will truly enjoy.”

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MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY SUMMER THEATRE SEASON 59 CONTINUES TO ENTERTAIN The Addams Family, July 9-14 Directed by April Hubbard In this stage adaptation of the classic TV show, this musical adaptation follows the conflict that arises when Wednesday, now an eighteen-year-old woman, brings home a sweet, respectable, normal boy to the wacky, upside-down world of Gomez, Mortica, and the rest of the Addams family. With catchy lyrics and toe tapping tunes, this musical is bound to be a hit with the entire family.

Minot State University (MSU) Summer Theatre has been hard at work putting on 4 different shows for theatre-goers all summer! MSU staff, students, and a wide variety of community members come together to make the excitement happen, along with students who join the company from across the United States.

Though they’ve already seen two productions come and go during the month of June, All Shook Up and The 39 Steps, the Summer Theatre crew hasn’t slowed for a second. Two large shows, The Addams Family and Disaster! have yet to grace the stage.

Each show has a large cast and will be sure to entertain.

Tickets for the remaining shows can be bought online here or by calling 701-858-3228.

Disaster! July 23-27, 29-31 Directed by Sarah Honerman Disaster! is a jukebox musical comedy the songs of the '70s in this comedic parody of 1970s disaster films. A floating casino struggles with being flipped upside down, facing sharks and piranhas, an earthquake and an inferno! Put to music like “Hooked on a Feeling,” “Hot Stuff,” this hilarious show is not intended for all audiences due to some language.

Parental guidance is advised.

The Minot State University Amphitheater has been the home of the MSU Summer Theatre Company since 1971. This beautiful outdoor theater is set in a grass-lined hillside north of the campus. A stage above the rest from the top of the hill!

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MINOT AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANTS FUNDS TO HOSTFEST STORYTELLING PROJECT The Minot Area Community Foundation (MACF) has granted $5,000 to the Hostfest Heritage Foundation.

Funding was granted in the form of a challenge grant, where MACF matched dollar-for-dollar contributions for the project. This grant was made possible through the Minot Area Community Foundation’s Williamson Fund.

L TO R: SABRINA HERRMANN, JOHN MACKNER, STACI KENNEY, HARRISON REITEN-HRUBY, JESSICA ACKERMAN, ABBIE EADS

Over the past year, the Hostfest Heritage Foundation (HHF) has captured conversations, images and videos that help tell the story of Scandinavian migration to the United States, settlement in the Minot area, and the importance of celebrating heritage, culture, community, and connection through the annual Norsk Hostfest festival.

“Recording immigration stories, family histories, festival tales, and the significance of traditions is essential for capturing and preserving the future of the Hostfest and Scandinavian culture in our area,” says Jessica Ackerman, HHF board member. “The Hostfest Heritage Foundation is deeply grateful for this opportunity to honor and perpetuate our rich cultural heritage made possible by support from the Minot Area Community Foundation’s Williamson Fund.”

The storytelling project has been a collaborative effort that captured raw interview footage as well as photos of Scandinavian artifacts and celebration that are now digitally recorded and available for future use. A series of podcasts will be released beginning this summer, leading up to the 2024 Norsk Hostfest, where a 30-minute documentary can be viewed throughout the festival.

“We are proud to support the storytelling efforts of the Hostfest Heritage Foundation as they work to archive the rich history of the Scandinavian culture that has made a significant impact on the Minot community,” states Jason Zimmerman, MACF President.

ACKERMAN-ESTVOLD’S LAVACHEK EARNS PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION Ackerman-Estvold is pleased to announce that Emma Lavachek recently earned her North Dakota Professional Engineer registration from the North Dakota State Board of Registration.

Lavachek has been with Ackerman-Estvold since 2018 as a full time Civil Engineer with a focus on municipal projects for cities and municipalities and serving as City Engineer for some of smaller rural clients. In addition, Emma spent four years as a summer intern with the company before graduating which provided a lot of experience in the field gaining knowledge in construction, inspection, and project workflow.

Lavachek earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota.

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MINOT STATE STUDENTS EARN NATIONAL RECOGNITION AT FBLA The Minot State University chapter of Future Business Leaders of America — Collegiate attended the 2024 National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, from June 24 to 27. Nearly 1,000 collegiate students from across the country attended.

The opening session on June 24 recognized Minot State’s Mason Lemer as a North Dakota Who’s Who recipient and Minot State Assistant Professor in Business Information Technology Jan Repnow as the North Dakota Outstanding Collegiate Advisor. Lemer was unable to attend the conference.

Throughout the conference, students networked with business professionals, engaged in workshops, and competed in objective and presentation events.

The Awards of Excellence Ceremony was held on June 27 and showcased the exemplary abilities of four Minot State students: Kyle Sandy: Sixth place in Emerging Business Issues Kyle Sandy and Alec Wolf (team): Eighth place in Business Presentation Emma Taylor: Ninth place in Community Service and eighth place in Public Speaking Minot State students, from left, Emma Taylor, Kyle Sandy, and Alec Wolf, along with faculty member Jan Repnow, pose with awards won at the 2024 National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida.

MINOT SYMPHONY 30TH ANNUAL SECRET GARDEN TOUR June 28, 2024 – The Minot Symphony Orchestra will host its 30th annual Secret Garden Tour on Tuesday July 9 from 4:30 to 8:30 pm.

The annual Secret Garden Tour offers a rare glimpse into hidden, private gardens, showcasing unique landscapes, plants, herbs, yard art, and more. The host garden addresses are printed on the ticket. Participants who purchase a ticket will travel throughout Minot in their own vehicle and explore seven different gardens.

Each garden has its own unique theme and combination of flowers, plants, and vegetables on one-of-a-kind landscapes. Participants can spend as little or as much time at each garden during the 4:30-8:30pm time frame as they choose. This open house style event is an annual tradition for many gardeners, friends, and families who enjoy the outdoors.

“This is the perfect opportunity to take time to stop and smell the roses! All while supporting your Minot Symphony Orchestra. Spend a couple of hours listening to live music while enjoying the beauty of Mother Nature. The tour will go on rain or shine!” said executive director, Ellen Fenner.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 40 This years’ featured gardens include the Ruelle garden which is best described as business in the front and garden party in the back! Their fenced-in yard is bursting with flowers, vegetables, water fountain, and fun yard art they make themselves. The Price/Lang’s corner lot with a white picket fence features a great deck with a pergola that has a drop-down shade that is perfect for Summertime movies. The Lowe/Desilets family garden is a favorite spot for the great-grandchildren to play and the adults to unwind. Fruit trees, grapevines, berries, vegetables and perennials cover their yard. The Peterson yard features 50 shades of green! Enjoy this beautifully curated yard filled with a variety of shade plants, trees, and herbs. The many textures and shades of green offer much to enjoy. The Krueger’s yard is filled with character and unique potted plants. The solar lit patio is a Summertime favorite spot. We are also excited to feature the Certified NDSU Extension Master Gardner Pollinator Garden and Angelic Gardens. The Pollinator Garden is a demonstration garden highlighting several perennial plants that can be used in landscaping for pollinators. NDSU Master Gardener’s “Let’s Talk Plants” booth is ready for your growing questions as well as a scavenger hunt for all ages. Angelic Gardens has grown to over 5 acres Since 2002! Angelic Gardens has fruit, vegetables, walk through garden, and an orchard.

They are a business that is one of Minot’s hidden gems.

NEW THIS YEAR we will feature education and resource booths to promote sustainable practices at the Pollinator Garden. Dr. Kibler, a local beekeeper and will provide samples of local honey. Art Cycle, a secondhand arts and crafts community project will sell and collect donations of partially used craft supplies.

STARTS is a composting service that lowers food waste while helping farmers enrich their soil. The Minot Park District Horticulture Department will talk about the food they grow for the animals at Roosevelt Park Zoo, and more!

Tickets can be purchased at Lowe’s Garden Center located at 1640 4th Ave. NE Minot, Visit Minot located at 1020 S. Broadway Minot, Lien’s Jewelry at 107 S. Main St. Minot, or at the Prairie Bistro and Gardens in Mohall for $20 in advance or $25 at each garden. Children under the age of 10 are free.

All proceeds from this event will benefit the programming of the Minot Symphony Orchestra, a university and community orchestra that aims to enrich lives by providing opportunities for musicians and inspiration to patrons through education and the performance of diverse orchestral repertoire.

For more information, contact the Minot Symphony office at 701-858-4228 or find them on Facebook at Minot Symphony Orchestra.

The Minot Symphony Orchestra is a unique blend of student, community and professional musicians that has been performing in the Magic City for over 90 years

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FIRESIDE OFFICE SOLUTIONS ACQUIRES CLUTE’S OFFICE EQUIPMENT Fireside Office Solutions, an industry leader in business solutions and services, announces they have acquired Clute’s Office Equipment, a business products dealer serving the Minot area for more than 76 years.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to combine the rich heritage of Clute’s Office Equipment with the exceptional services we provide to the western North Dakota region,” says Chris Whalen, President at Fireside OƯice Solutions. “Our collective years of experience and expertise means you can be assured we will find the best solutions for all of your business needs.”

Customers can expect the same great service from the staƯ they know and trust. Fireside OƯice Solutions is committed to making this a smooth transition for current Clute’s customers. Clute’s Office Equipment staff members will join the Fireside Office Solutions team.

“Clute’s has a deep history of providing quality products and services,” Whalen continues. “At Fireside, we commit to not only continuing to deliver high quality service, but to enhance it by servicing your technology, furniture and office supply needs all from one company. We are confident your business solutions experience will only be enhanced.” Barry Clute, says, “I know our customers will continue to have excellent service, support and products to which they are accustomed to. I will continue to work with Fireside to assure a seamless transition and introduce Clute customers to Fireside.” Fireside’s acquisition was finalized on June 15.

Customers with questions should contact Fireside Office Solutions at 701.258.8586.

LOCAL EDWARD JONES CLIENT SUPPORT TEAMMATES QUALIFY FOR RECOGNITION CONFERENCE Edward Jones Financial Advisor Greg Tschetter has announced that his client support team professionals will attend the invitation-only Pinnacle conference, Edward Jones' premier recognition conference for client support teams.

The conference, in Scottsdale, AZ, from Sept. 16-19, will bring together 200 top client support teams (or 1.25%) from the firm's nearly 16,000. Qualifying branch teams were judged on the success of their branch, client feedback and more. The Pinnacle Pinnacle conference for financial advisors was held in April, which Greg Tschetter attended.

Attending the Pinnacle conference from the branch are Letta Nathan BOA Brenna Tschetter AFA. "I'm so proud of our senior client support team. They have an incredible work ethic, a dedication to the success of our clients and contagious enthusiasm," Tschetter said. "The outstanding skills and support they provide is paramount to the level of success that qualified us to attend the Pinnacle conferences."

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FIRST INTERNATIONAL BANK & TRUST RECOGNIZED ON AMERICAN BANKER’S 20 TOPPERFORMING BANKS WITH $2B TO $10B IN ASSETS LIST First International Bank & Trust (FIBT) was recently included on American Banker’s list of the 20 TopPerforming Banks with $2B to $10B in Assets. The North Dakota-based bank was ranked at #10 on the list, up one spot from prior year. Banks on the list were ranked based on their three-year average return on average equity.

These top 20 institutions also held more core deposits compared with their total deposit base, reported a higher median return on average assets, and posted a stronger efficiency ratio compared with the entire peer group.

“Since the very beginning, our bank was built on the relationship between our employees and our customers,” says Steve Stenehjem, CEO/Chairman of First International Bank & Trust. “To be included on American Banker’s 20-Top Performing Banks with $2B to $10B in Assets list for the second year in a row is a tremendous honor. We look forward to serving our customers and communities for generations to come.”

Peter Stenehjem, President of FIBT shares, “First International Bank & Trust is proud to be included on American Banker’s 20-Top Performing Banks with $2B to $10B in Assets list. This recognition is a testament to our steadfast commitment to serving our community, the hard work of our talented team, and the loyalty of our customers. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to helping our customers ‘Live First’ – whether they are buying their first home, expanding a business, or saving for retirement.”

HELP SEND AIRMEN HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH PIZZA OR PASTA PURCHASE The Prairie Warrior Association is excited to support the Home For the Holidays initiative through Food Fundraisers!

All you need to do is purchase a pizza kit or pasta, and a portion of the sales will go toward helping first term airmen go home during the holiday season.

The fundraisers only run during the month of July, so hurry and grab your next meal by scanning the QR code or visit the pizza website by clicking here and pasta website by clicking here!

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MINOT DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION ASSOCIATION GAINS 501(C)(3) STATUS TO ENHANCE COMMUNITY INITIATIVES The Minot Downtown Beautification Association (MDBA) is thrilled to announce that we have been granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status by the Internal Revenue Service, marking a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to enrich and beautify downtown Minot. As Board President, I am excited to share how this new development will positively impact our community.

The attainment of 501(c)(3) status is a crucial step that enhances our capacity to support vital projects. This includes our much-anticipated light project, which aims to illuminate and invigorate our downtown area, making it a welcoming space for all who visit. Additionally, these funds will allow us to augment the festive spirit during the Christmas season through our Christmas Open House, further decorating our downtown with beautiful floral arrangements and festive displays.

Beyond seasonal decorations, this status provides us the financial flexibility to pursue broader downtown improvement projects. Our goal has always been to create a visually appealing and vibrant downtown area that attracts more visitors and serves as a point of pride for our community. With this new funding structure, we can undertake these projects without over-reliance on local businesses and the uncertainty of fundraiser success.

The Minot Downtown Beautification Association is dedicated to making our downtown a more attractive and enjoyable place for everyone. By securing 501(c)(3) status, we can now accept tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations who share our vision of revitalizing downtown Minot. These contributions will directly support our initiatives, helping us to achieve a greater impact in our beloved community.

We are immensely grateful for the continued support of our community members, local businesses, and all stakeholders involved. Together, we are making downtown Minot a more beautiful place to live, work, and visit.

We invite everyone to join us in this exciting journey towards a brighter and more vibrant downtown.

For more information on how to contribute or get involved, please visit our website https://downtownminot.com/ or contact us at director@downtownminot.com. Together, let's light up Minot!

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MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC EVENTS AND MEETINGS Sunday

Monday 1

Tuesday

Wednesday 4

3

2

Ribbon Cutting 10:00 a.m.

Omi’s Stones, Herbs & Thangz - Dakota Square Mall - 2400 10th Street SW

7

8

15

9

10 Eagle Awards 10:00 a.m.

MACEDC Office

16

11

Board of Directors Meeting 7:30 a.m.

MACEDC Office

22

Saturday

5

6

12

13

17

19

20

Start Up Minot Networking Event 7:30 a.m.

Carnegie Center

18 Ribbon Cutting 4:30 p.m.

2024 NDSF - North Dakota State Fairgrounds

21

Friday

Independence Day Holiday - MACEDC Office Closed

Ribbon Cutting 4:00 p.m.

Edward Jones Cameron Stone - 2306 4th Avenue NW

14

Thursday

23

24 Agribusiness Committee 7:00 a.m.

ND State Fair Livestock Barn

25

Ribbon Cutting 11:00 a.m.

Dakota College Downtown - 120 Burdick Expy East

26

27

Right Start Presentation 9:25 a.m.

Minot AFB

Military Appreciation Day at the NDSF All Day North Dakota State Fairgrounds

28

29

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JULY 2024 MINOT AREA CHAMBER EDC COMMUNICATOR | JULY 2024

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