Partnerships That Power Progress 

 

Collaboration across our region drives innovation, talent, and long-term economic growth.  

GFMEDC’s greatest strength lies in the partnerships and collaborations cultivated across the region. Meaningful relationships and ongoing dialogue create opportunity—often leading to transformative outcomes for businesses, workers, and communities. This spirit of collaboration is deeply rooted in the region’s history and continues to fuel economic growth and shared success. 

Equally important is the alignment among partners working toward a common mission. The breadth and diversity of organizations engaged in this work—across the public, private, nonprofit, and academic sectors—allows GFMEDC to operate with impact and agility. We are fortunate to work alongside such a committed network of partners whose collective efforts make it possible to advance the region’s economic priorities every day. 

Business development 

 

Effective business development relies on collaboration across a broad network of public- and private-sector partners. This ecosystem includes city, county, and state governments; higher education institutions; industry associations; developers; financial institutions; research parks; venture capital firms; and many other organizations working together to support the growth and success of the region’s primary-sector companies. 

Workforce 

For decades, workforce availability has remained the region’s most persistent economic challenge. In response, dozens of organizations across the Fargo–Moorhead region have come together to develop, support, and promote talent attraction efforts that strengthen the workforce pipeline. Alongside these initiatives, partners have also invested in enhancing quality of life—recognizing that vibrant communities, strong amenities, and a high standard of living are essential to attracting and retaining the talent needed for long-term economic success. 

Data 

A strong backbone of data, systems, and analytics underpins GFMEDC’s work—providing both our organization and regional partners with the critical information needed to make informed, data-driven decisions across workforce and business development efforts. These tools and resources, supported through a mix of strategic partnerships and paid service providers, are essential to our ability to lead the region in data-informed economic development and effective decision-making. 

Community development 

These organizations represent just a sampling of the hundreds of partners across the region whose collective efforts make Fargo–Moorhead one of the nation’s strongest talent attraction markets. Together, they help create a vibrant, resilient, and flourishing region—one that continues to draw people, investment, and opportunity while supporting long-term economic growth and quality of life.  

Innovate28 

Innovate28 was launched as a bold, regional initiative designed to accelerate economic growth through collaboration, public–private investment, and a strategic plan with clear, measurable goals. In 2023, the Cass County Commission challenged the private sector—led by The Chamber and GFMEDC—to develop and fund a multi-year strategy that would position the region for long-term success. That challenge quickly evolved into a four-year, $3.7 million annual effort supported by public investment from Clay and Cass counties and private investment from more than 140 businesses. 

Officially launched in 2025, Innovate28 is anchored by three strategic pillars: Workforce, Public Policy, and Business Development. By aligning priorities and resources across sectors, Innovate28 unites the region around a shared vision—driving measurable progress, sustained economic growth, and increased global competitiveness. 

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