Central to the meeting was the discussion on enhancing workforce development and economic growth strategies. The Fargo-Moorhead West Fargo Chamber and the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation (EDC) presented their ongoing initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining talent in the region. The focus was on addressing the shortage of personnel to fill existing job vacancies, with over 8,600 jobs currently posted. Joe from the EDC emphasized the importance of workforce attraction, revealing that ongoing efforts have drawn interest from over 20,000 potential recruits exploring opportunities in the area. These efforts are supported by a recruitment-focused website and a virtual reality initiative by a local company, Be More Colorful, offering immersive experiences for potential recruits.

The chamber also highlighted its role in fostering career awareness and exploration through partnerships with K-12 and higher education institutions. An upcoming health, tech, and trades expo is projected to attract over 4,000 students, providing hands-on experiences to inspire future career paths. The importance of work-based learning opportunities, such as internships and apprenticeships, was emphasized, alongside the challenges of navigating systems across multiple school districts and states. The chamber’s concierge program aims to support newcomers in settling into the community.

In a strategic move, the board discussed the necessity of hiring a professional lobbyist to advocate for the county’s legislative priorities. A commissioner initiated this conversation by stressing the importance of establishing consistent representation at the legislature. The urgency to have a lobbyist in place by October or November was noted, with a proposed budget of $40,000 seen as a reasonable starting point. The board agreed to direct the county administrator to seek proposals for legislative representation.

Further discussions focused on the county’s flood protection initiatives, notably the opening ceremony for a diversion structure designed to reroute the Red River during major flooding events. This $15 million infrastructure project aims to provide permanent flood protection and is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026 or early 2027.

The meeting also addressed a lease agreement for the Lake EC Regional Library in Moorhead, entailing a ten-year lease at $18 per square foot, culminating in an annual cost of $55,764 for 3,398 square feet. Minor corrections to the lease were proposed, with plans for review and approval by the Moorhead City Council.

Additionally, the Partnership for Health community health board meeting surfaced a miscalculation in the distribution of PHP grant funds, resulting in minor financial adjustments for Becker County and Clay County. The board continued to process requests for proposals from health companies, advocating for mental health issues in the state.

The meeting concluded with discussions on the resource recovery facility’s potential increase in tipping fees, from $56 to $81 per ton. This proposed increase, intended to cover operational costs, could impact the city of Moorhead, which contributes approximately 22,000 tons annually. Concerns were raised regarding the feasibility and attractiveness of such a rate hike.