September 2022

GRAND FORKS, N.D. –The Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation’s( EDC)Greater Grand Forks: Way Cooler Than You Think!website( GFiscooler.com)won an international awardand was featured as a best practice in economic development.GFiscooler. comtook home the gold awardfor Special PurposeWebsitesforthe 2022 Excellence in Economic Development Awardsfrom the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The award was presented at the 2022 IEDC Annual Conference in Oklahoma City, OK. IEDC's Excellence and Leadership inEconomic Development Awards recognize the world's best economic development programs, partnerships, marketing materials, and influential leaders. These 25 awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers from around the world. IEDC received over 500 submissions from the United States and four additional countries around the world. Submissions for the Special Purpose Website Award were evaluated based on goal/mission, quantifiableresults related to the goal, data type and quality, effectiveness of the message, interactivity, timeliness/relevance of information, quality of content, organization, visual appeal and navigability, accessibility, and overall value for economic development efforts. “This year’s awards selection process was especially competitive. We are honored to recognize the more than 100 communities whose marketing submissions, projects, and partnerships have improved regional quality of life,” saidIEDC Awards Advisory Committee Chair Christina Winn.“The EDC is exceptionally honored that the ‘Way Cooler Thank You Think’website has received this international recognition,” saidKeith Lund, EDC President & CEO. “The success of the website and ‘Cooler’ initiative is due to the region’s leadership investment in creating the critical workforce attraction pl

Eleven Minnesota organizations will be able to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, promote early diagnosis and connect caregivers to resources, thanks to grants from the Minnesota Board on Aging.

The Omdahl Conservation Fund is now accepting applications for projects that promote or preserve natural resources in Northwest Minnesota. The Eldor and Stella Omdahl Environment and Conservation Fund (known as the Omdahl Conservation Fund) is a component fund of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation with the dedicated purpose of supporting charitable, educational and scientific programs, projects and activities that support or benefit environmental and conservation causes.Grant applications are being accepted for projects that promote or preserve natural resources in the Northwest Minnesota region. This region includes two tribal nations (Red Lake Nation and White Earth Nation) and 12 counties (Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau). Applicants must be 501c3 nonprofits in this region.The total funding available is $40,000 and multi-year grants may be considered. The maximum grant award is $25,000. Funding is available through June 30, 2023. The application period will remain open until funds are depleted. Funding decisions will be made within 45 days of the application submission.A full program description, including details on how to apply, can be found online at www.nwmf.org/resources/ grants/open-grantroundsFor further details, please contact Nate Dorr, Vice President for Advocacy, via email at nated@nwmf. org or Dawn Ganje, Director for Community Philanthropy, dawng@nwmf.org. Both can also be reached by phone at 218-759-2057