EDC sets 2026-2029 growth targets for Grand Forks region

The Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation has launched a four-year strategic plan focused on investment, jobs, workforce, and partnerships. The plan sets measurable targets through 2029, including 600 net new jobs and $1 billion in capital expenditures.

Why it matters: - The Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation’s new plan is designed to steer regional growth through 2029. - The strategy focuses on economic diversification, business expansion, and workforce strength in the Grand Forks region. - The plan gives the EDC measurable targets to track progress over the next 48 months.

What happened: - The Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation launched its Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 on June 24, 2026. - The plan outlines goals and actions meant to expand economic growth across the region over the next four years. - EDC Board Chair Shawn Gaddie said he was excited to help create the plan and guide the region’s future. - Gaddie said the next steps are clear and said the community will play a role in driving economic growth.

The details: - The EDC says the plan will guide efforts to attract investment, support business growth, and strengthen workforce and partnerships. - The organization’s mission is to expand economic opportunity through primary sector industry growth and diversification. - The EDC will target three sectors: Agribusiness & Ag Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, and Autonomous Systems & Defense. - The plan also prioritizes regional assets linked to the University of North Dakota. - Those priority areas include national security and space, autonomous systems, computational and data science, energy and environmental sustainability, and human and rural health. - The plan has four action areas: Attraction & Expansion, Workforce Development, Marketing & Communications, and Stakeholder Engagement. - Those action areas include business retention and expansion outreach, site selector engagement, infrastructure advocacy, talent attraction and retention, strategic communications, and institutional partnerships. - EDC President & CEO Keith Lund said collaboration across the university, city officials, industry, and community leaders helps the region stand out. - Lund said continued collaboration will help maintain momentum and set the region up for success.

Between the lines: - The plan pairs broad economic goals with specific, measurable outcomes. - The sector focus suggests the EDC is concentrating on industries tied to regional strengths and long-term diversification. - The emphasis on partnerships indicates the EDC sees coordination across public, private, and academic groups as central to execution.

What's next: - The EDC will use the strategic plan as a roadmap through 2029. - The organization will focus on the stated 48-month goals, including project wins, job creation, wage growth, and capital investment. - The plan is available on GrandForks.org/Strategic-Plan.

The bottom line: - The Grand Forks EDC is setting a four-year agenda built around targeted industries, workforce development, and measurable growth goals.