The Minot Area Chamber EDC (MACEDC) is delighted to be the recipient of two awards during the 2024 North Dakota Main Street Summit. The 21st?Century Workforce Award (Urban) was presented for the Minot WayFinders program, and the Economic Diversification Award was awarded for the efforts of the intermodal services at the Logistics Park of North Dakota.
The Main Street ND Awards are a collaborative effort of the Office of the Governor and North Dakota Department of Commerce. A selection committee made up of the collaborating agencies and partners judge the entries to make final awards. Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller and Commissioner Josh Teigen, along with the North Dakota Department of Commerce announced the recipients of the 2024 Main Street ND Awards on August 29 at the Main Street Summit.
“We are grateful for the dedication of communities throughout the state who embrace the Main Street Initiative's principles,” Lt. Gov. Miller said. “Building healthy, vibrant communities with strong infrastructure to attract and retain a modern workforce requires collaboration. These awards exemplify the success achievable when we work together.”
The 21st Century Workforce Award was presented to Minot as a community of over 10,000 people that offered a unique answer to bringing individuals to the state for employment opportunities. Minot's WayFinders program tackles workforce challenges by offering a personalized onboarding experience for newcomers. Launched in 2023, it connects newcomers with community champions ("WayFinders") who act as their "first friend" and resource. This program has already attracted five new residents and their families, boosting the local economy and school system. With recent grant funding, Minot is now expanding efforts to attract young families, recent graduates, veterans, and boomerangs nationwide.
The Economic Diversification Award was awarded to a community for efforts in economic growth. MACEDC successfully brought intermodal service to the region, diversifying the economy, and increasing export opportunities for North Dakota producers. The Minot Intermodal Facility has seen significant growth in operations since its launch, providing a strategic transportation hub for the state. This facility adds value to North Dakota's agricultural and manufactured products, strengthening the state's economy and enhancing market access.
“We are honored to be the only community to receive two Main Street Summit awards,” said Brekka Kramer, MACEDC President | CEO. “Our team and board work tirelessly to be the go-to organization for our business community to drive key initiatives that build and strengthen our economy. Workforce and economic development are two key pillars of our organization and to see the community efforts supporting both these pillars recognized is a win not for our organization but one for the Minot area.”
In addition Minot’s recognition, other North Dakota communities represented the four pillars of the Main Street Initiative (Healthy, Vibrant Community; Smart, Efficient Infrastructure; 21st Century Workforce; and Economic Diversification), and were awarded for the following: 21st Century Workforce Award (Rural) to The Hettinger Mini Chamber for empowering youth to become community leaders, Healthy, Vibrant Community Award (Rural) to Bowman for recent innovative recreation facilities, Healthy, Vibrant Community Award (Urban) to Downtown Fargo for Broadway Square, public space that transformed the area into a vibrant community hub, Smart, Efficient Infrastructure Award to the Sheyenne GRIT program that has revitalized the community through various initiatives, Future Leaders Empowerment Award to The Williston Chamber for Lemonade Day that has grown into a comprehensive program equipping youth with essential skills for future success, Main Street Excellence Award (Rural) to The Hazen Chamber of Commerce for engaging events and initiatives, and Main Street Excellence Award (Urban) to The City of Grand Forks and Grand Forks Region EDC for taking a holistic approach to economic and community development.
The Main Street Summit is an annual conference that brings together local leaders, experts, and passionate citizens to come together for discussion and camaraderie as workshops and speakers encourage development of winning strategies, spark fresh ideas, and find creative ways for growth. This year’s theme was “Regional Prosperity,” and was hosted in partnership with the biennial Statewide Arts Convening hosted by North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA), with sessions that focused on the value of community placemaking through the arts.
Photos from the 2024 Main Street Summit will be found in the News section of MinotChamberEDC.com