GF Greets Visitors From Winnipeg
By Ryan Schuster, Grand Forks Herald, N.D.
Mar. 7–Winnipeg-area business leaders toured Grand Forks on Thursday in a visit local officials hope eventually will lead to business partnerships spanning both countries.
A contingent from the Winnipeg chapter of the global Entrepreneurs’ Organization received a tour of the city, UND and Ralph Engelstad Arena and also made stops at UND Aerospace, UND’s Center for Innovation, the Job Service North Dakota office and listened to a presentation from the host Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corp.
“It’s just the first step,” said Klaus Thiessen, president and CEO of the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corp. “It’s an important first step, establishing relationships. If we want to do business together, we need to get to know each other.”
Thiessen said he plans to follow up with the Canadian companies that attended the tour. Gov. John Hoeven, who juggled his schedule to attend a luncheon meeting with the Winnipeg delegation, said he plans to bring a similar contingent of Grand Forks business leaders to Winnipeg in the future.
“This is the start of something that will continue to build,” Hoeven said. “We want you to think of Grand Forks and the University of North Dakota as the gateway to North Dakota and the U.S.”
Tyler Gompf, president of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, asked for a show of hands during his luncheon speech to gauge how many of the 25-member Canadian delegation currently have U.S. business addresses. Three hands went up from the diverse group that included founders, owners and controlling shareholders of companies representing manufacturing, construction, technology, retail, medical, service and warehousing and logistics. There appears to be plenty of room for growth if businesses in both communities work together, according to several speakers at the luncheon.
“I don’t see a border,” Gompf said. “I don’t know what will come of this visit, but hopefully, someone will find out something that helps them.”
Schuster reports on business. Reach him by phone at (701) 780-1107; by e-mail at rschuster@gfherald.com or view his business blog at www.areavoices.com/bizbuzz.
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