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Celebrating Strong Momentum and Bold Future at 2026 Annual Meeting

Posted: Mar 23 2026

The Minot Area Chamber EDC (MACEDC) brought business and community leaders together Monday evening to celebrate a year of meaningful progress and to look ahead to continued growth and opportunity across the region at its 2026 Annual Meeting.

Held at the Regency Event Center in downtown Minot, the event welcomed more than 250 member investors,partners, and stakeholders committed to advancing the Minot area’s economy and quality of life. The evening featured a keynote address from U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Stacy Jo Huser, Commander of the 20th Air Force, who leads more than 12,000 Airmen responsible for the nation’s intercontinental ballistic missile mission. Drawing on her three decades of service, she shared a compelling message about vulnerability, resilience, and the strength that comes from building authentic relationships.

Maj. Gen. Huser also praised the Minot community for its long-standing commitment to Airmen and families at Minot Air Force Base, where she served from 2015 to 2017. “Minot sets the standard for other cities and states,” she said. “They want to be like Minot because they see the difference you make – not just locally, but across the nation. I want to personally thank you for your support of our Airmen.”

Outgoing Board Chair Ryan Ackerman reflected on a year of progress and set an optimistic tone for the future before handing over the gavel. “The Minot Area Chamber EDC accomplished a great deal in 2025, but what excites me most is what lies ahead,” Ackerman said. “We’ve set the table for a bright future, and I look forward to supporting this organization as we continue to build a stronger, more prosperous Minot for all of us here, and for the next generation of Minoters.”

Jarid Lundeen, MACEDC’s 2026 Board Chair, took the stage to express his optimism about the future of the Minot area. “Minot plays a critical role in the national economy – and our momentum has never been stronger,” Lundeen said. “As business leaders, we must keep leaning into what makes this place unique, because the rest of the world is just starting to catch on to what we’re building. With energy, confidence, and excitement, I am bullish on Minot’s future.”

MACEDC President | CEO Brekka Kramer highlighted the organization’s progress and the partnerships driving success across its five strategic pillars: economic development, community development, workforce development, member investor services, and military support. “The progress highlighted tonight is made possible by people who believe deeply in the future of the Minot area,” Kramer said. “I am grateful to our outstanding Board of Directors for setting the tone and strategic direction for our organization, to our team members who execute that mission with care and enthusiasm every day, and to our member investors for believing and investing in our work.”

The Annual Meeting also saw the presentation of the 2026 Minot Area Chamber EDC Impact Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions in community impact, small business leadership, individual leadership, and military support.

Click here to read the Minot Area Chamber EDC 2025 Annual Report.