Introducing MSUM's New President
Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce (FMWF Chamber)
Together, we can do more.
Notes from The Chamber team:
In today's edition:
Dr. Timothy Downs named president of MSUM
The Board of Trustees?of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has named Timothy Downs to serve as president of Minnesota State University Moorhead . His appointment becomes effective July 1, 2023.?
“Dr. Downs brings considerable expertise and keen insights into the changing nature of higher education,” said Devinder Malhotra, chancellor of Minnesota State. “He is a great communicator and a person who is strongly committed to being an ardent supporter of students and the innate missions of a regional comprehensive university anchored in liberal arts and sciences. Without a doubt, he is the right leader at this point in the university’s history.”?
Downs is a leader known for facilitating transformational change and positioning campuses to meet current and future demands and needs. In past roles, he has dedicated himself to student success and sustaining a campus culture that facilitates a spirit of belonging. Bringing enrollment management skills and strong financial acumen, he is an accomplished fundraiser who has successfully cultivated a shared vision with stakeholders and investors.?
He currently serves Cal Poly Humboldt as interim chief of staff, where he is responsible for coordinating efforts among all divisions within the university.?
Previously, from 2016 to 2021, he served as president/CEO of Northern State University (NSU), a member of the South Dakota Board of Regents System with enrollment of 3,500 students and 330 employees.
Next week: Community discussion about Ag and Energy, featuring a special guest
Eggs & Issues | April 4 | Armory Event Center
Agriculture and Energy?are defining and essential sectors in Minnesota and North Dakota. This session of Eggs & Issues will cover the recent history and trends of ag and energy, how the sectors and associated industries advance together and depend on one another, and what lies ahead in the coming months and years. Our speakers and panelists will be unpacking each industry, how foreign conflict has or has not affected our region, economic drivers, new and innovative efforts, and what activities and initiatives must launch, continue, or evolve to remain a healthy and powerful region. Several fundamental factors tie ag and energy together; join us as we take a look behind the curtain and discuss how to advance and strengthen our region and overcome emerging challenges together.
U.S. Senator John Hoeven?will be joining us at this Eggs & Issues event to welcome our attendees and kick off the morning's discussion about agriculture and energy. The main event will be a panel discussion and Q&A with the following speakers:
Chamber golf outing update - opening soon!
Don't worry;?you haven't missed our 2023 Chamber Challenge Golf Outing registration. We are working on a few final details and will notify our members when we are ready to accept teams!
This year's event will take place on July 19 at Edgewood Golf Course. We look forward to a summer afternoon of fun, games, laughter and new connections. Stay tuned and we will see you on the course!
The Chamber's new office location in Fargo
This week,?The Chamber has officially moved from the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead to a temporary office location within the Cass County Electric Cooperative building in Fargo. The Chamber and the City of Moorhead have enjoyed a productive partnership for over two decades, working closely together to bolster the regional economy and foster business growth. The Chamber’s move marks another chapter, one that is founded on continued collaboration and regionalism.
Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson said, “The partnership between The City of Moorhead and The Chamber is strong, and we wish The Chamber the best in its service to businesses and communities in the region.” Additionally, Moorhead City Manager Dan Mahli said, “The City of Moorhead appreciates the 25 years that it was able to lease?space in the Hjemkomst Center to The Chamber.”?
“Our board and staff are extremely grateful to Cass County Electric Cooperative?for their continued investment in The Chamber and their willingness to partner on this creative solution. As we look to the future, we are excited to build upon the strong foundation that we have laid as a regional organization,” remarked Shannon Full . “The Chamber is committed to?serving our entire region and membership, and we will do so, regardless of our physical location.”?
The Chamber's new address:?3312 42nd St. S #101, Fargo, ND 58104
Phone number:?218.233.1100
UpSkill-A-Thon ends this week; hurry!
The final week?of the UpSkill-A-Thon is here! The Chamber Foundation is partnering with?Microsoft?to offer dozens of free, on-demand courses. Access skilling resources on the go. The competition is wrapping up, but you have until 11:59 p.m. on March 31 to enter to win cash prizes!
领英推荐
Packet Digital creating state of the art battery manufacturing facility in FMWF
Packet Digital announced?an expanded investment in North Dakota by purchasing a 25,000-square-foot manufacturing facility to manufacture batteries and power electronics, supporting the company's increased demand for manufacturing capacity. Packet Digital plans to make a significant investment in equipment and to remodel the manufacturing site and create new high-paying tech jobs in Fargo, ND.
“This is an exciting time for us and we are experiencing exponential growth. Our new manufacturing facility symbolizes our dedication to producing quality, cutting-edge, American-manufactured batteries for our customers and reinforces our commitment to producing them in North Dakota,” said Terri Zimmerman, CEO of Packet Digital.
Active projects, such as producing the next generation of batteries and chargers for the US Navy, have necessitated the development of an in-house manufacturing center. Additional multi-million dollar investments in the latest automation equipment and state-of-the-art technologies for battery and circuit board manufacturing will eliminate the need to outsource work out of the state or country to be manufactured. These additions facilitate multiple types of battery welding, assembly of surface mount components onto printed circuit boards, and final assembly of electronics and smart battery products in-house.
“Investing in our people and North Dakota is core to the way we do business. In the last year alone, we doubled the size of our team, and we conservatively expect to double our team again within the next couple of years," continued Zimmerman.
Coupled with the new facility, Packet Digital aims to grow its engineering, production, software, and test teams in Fargo and surrounding communities. Building improvements to the manufacturing facility are expected to begin in early 2023, followed by mass production of batteries by the end of 2023.?
Leadership FMWF in action
A Community Change Initiative from the 2022-23 class
Fifth-grade students?from Independence Elementary School in Fargo will visit Eventide Fargo apartments today, March 29. During their time at the senior living community, they will play “Getting to Know You UNO,” encouraging the two generations to have meaningful connections.
The event is one of three in which students from the elementary school visited the retirement community this week. Each time, a different fifth grade class traveled down the street to Eventide Fargo. The events were organized by a group of professionals in the current Leadership FMWF program as part of their Community Change Initiative titled?Connecting Generations. The long term goal of the project is to create a lasting relationship between Independence Elementary and Eventide Fargo.
Community Change Initiatives are a significant aspect of the Leadership FMWF program, as participants work with their cohort to affect meaningful and positive change in FMWF. Applications for the 2023-24 program close soon; apply today!
Have questions about the program? On Thursday, March 30, Leadership alumni and committee members are hosting a 30-minute informational Zoom meeting to answer your questions.?RSVP here.
Upcoming Chamber Events
MN Business Roundtable?- April 5
YPN:?Morning Buzz?- April 6
YPN:?Business Tour - Replay Games?- April 12
POC:?Networking Before 9?- April 13
POC:?Discuss, Connect & Reflect?- April 18
Voices of Vision?- April 20
Women Connect:?Mornings that Matter?- April 25
Business After Hours?- April 27
Recent New Members and Celebrations
Carr's Tree Service?- New member
Cultural Diversity Resources?- New member
Immigration Development Center?- New member
JK Property Partners?- New member
Kochmann Brothers Homes?- New member
Slim Chickens?- New member
Tellwell Story Co.?- New member
The Chamber is a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity. We promote and protect business, inspire innovation, cultivate communities and influence action.
Explore further at?fmwfchamber.com.