Workforce Solutions for a Competitive Region

Equipping employers with data, tools, and partnerships to attract and retain talent across Greater Fargo–Moorhead.

Supporting employers in today’s competitive talent environment requires more than awareness—it requires actionable tools and intentional strategies. Through data-informed programs, targeted recruitment solutions, and employer-focused initiatives, GFMEDC continues to equip regional businesses with practical resources to attract, engage, and retain the workforce needed for long-term success in the Greater Fargo Moorhead region.

Lightning Recruitment 

Part workforce intelligence and part recruitment solution, Lightning Recruitment delivers actionable labor market insights—including wage data and in-demand occupations—paired with candidate contact information directly to human resource leaders. 

Designed to support proactive talent attraction, Lightning Recruitment helps employers identify target markets with strong relocation potential to the Fargo Moorhead region. By analyzing wage differentials, cost-of-living advantages, and workforce availability, the program enables HR teams to focus outreach where candidates may be both qualified and open to relocation. The result is a data-driven approach that puts employers firmly in the driver’s seat of regional talent recruitment.

Through the program, our organization has provided assistance to companies six times and the program has received positive feedback, reinforcing its value as a supplement to existing recruitment strategies. 

“The new service offered through the EDC is an invaluable resource, helping us connect with highly qualified candidates in outlying areas. By identifying close matches to our job openings, it supplements our initiatives in attracting talent that aligns with our needs.”
—Theresa Halverson, Manager of Human Resources, Cass County Electric Cooperative

“Bobcat Company utilized the Lightning Recruitment program pilot to assist with three positions this past summer. The analytics helped us better understand which markets to focus on, and the program has strengthened our talent pipeline by connecting us with potential candidates.”
—Stacey Sellers, Talent Acquisition Manager, Bobcat Company

“GFMEDC’s analysis helped us assess our recruiting efforts across the region. The information proved to be a valuable resource for our recruitment team.”
—Mike Sanden, Training and Development Director, Butler Machinery

Strengthening Company Culture 

GFMEDC Continue to Build a Company Culture Program to Support Regional Businesses  

In response to findings from the 2024 Workforce Survey conducted in partnership with the Fargo Moorhead Human Resources Association (FMHRA), GFMEDC has been developing a dedicated company culture program to support regional employers. The survey highlighted strengthening company culture as the second-highest priority for human resource professionals, emphasizing its role as a strategic tool for workforce development.

HR leaders consistently noted that a strong culture is critical for attracting and retaining talent—a view supported by national research, including a Qualtrics study showing that 46% of job seekers consider company culture a key factor when deciding whether to apply for a position. The survey also revealed strong interest in a platform where HR professionals could connect, share best practices, and learn from one another, reinforcing the value of a collaborative, culture-focused initiative in the region.

Program Overview 

The GFMEDC engaged more than sixteen companies in 2025. The program offers a combination of virtual and in-person opportunities for human resource professionals to connect, collaborate, and explore key elements of company culture.  

To support this work, GFMEDC developed a confidential workplace culture assessment that enables organizations to evaluate and better understand their internal culture. The assessment is available in multiple languages, with all responses collected anonymously, supporting honest feedback and broad participation. 

Program Goals 

• Recognize and celebrate employers that prioritize strong workplace culture as a competitive advantage for their organization and for the region 

• Create a collaborative platform where employers can share best practices, exchange ideas, ask questions, and learn from one another 

• Strengthen the region’s ability to attract and retain the talent needed to support sustained business growth across the Fargo–Moorhead area 

Strengthening the Workforce Through Partnership and Access

 

Supporting employers as they recruit and retain talent remains a top priority for the GFMEDC, as business leaders consistently identify workforce challenges as one of their most pressing concerns. While a wide range of regional, state, and federal resources exist to support talent development and retention, accessing and navigating these tools can be a significant barrier. 

To help bridge this gap, the GFMEDC convenes partners and curates information four times each year, highlighting key programs, resources, and partnerships available to employers. These efforts help ensure companies are better equipped to leverage existing supports and strengthen their workforce strategies. 

Workforce Tools That Work

Empowering more than 40 regional employers with assets to attract and engage talent 

To strengthen and promote the region’s brand identity, GFMEDC developed the Live in FM Area website, which serves as a cornerstone of our regional talent attraction and branding efforts. The site highlights what makes the Fargo Moorhead area an exceptional place to live, work, and build a career. 

Supporting the website are two core brand videos—the Young Professional video and the Family video—which together anchor our regional marketing toolkit. These assets, along with the Work in Fargo website are actively used by more than 40 companies across the region to support recruitment efforts, helping employers showcase quality of life, career opportunities, and community strengths to prospective talent.

Together, the Live in Fargo platform and supporting brand assets provide employers with consistent, compelling tools to tell the region’s story and attract the workforce needed to support long-term economic growth.