Name: Becca Cruger
Position: Director of Workforce Development
Organization: Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation
Years In Economic Development: 7
Years As A Member of IEDC: 3
What was the first IEDC event you attended?
Workforce Development Strategies course in Chapel Hill, NC
Why did you choose to join IEDC?
To connect with other economic development professionals and learn about best practices and innovative solutions.
How has being a member of IEDC benefitted you and/or your organization?
I've met some incredible people and am able to watch how they are impacting their regions. It allows me to watch for new, novel, and tested strategies to economic development challenges.
What IEDC event do you look forward to attending each year?
Attending the Annual Conference is always considered first, but I look forward to attending Future Forums as well. In specific, I was excited about the 2023 Annual Conference in Dallas since we planned for it in 2020 before the pandemic hit.
What project(s), past or present, are you or your organization most proud of, and why?
The Grand Forks region launched an external talent attraction initiative a little over three years ago and it's been incredibly successful. Each year we work with an HR advisory panel to add resources like a comprehensive relocation guide, interactive regional map, and a resident-driven blog.
How have you, your organization, and/or community adapted to COVID-19 pre- and post-pandemic?
2020-2021 were the busiest years in our organization's history, according to our President & CEO. When the pandemic first began, we committed to BRE calls to every single one of our member organizations within a 1-month period to check in on their needs. We held monthly industry calls and relayed questions, concerns, and impacts to state leaders. 2021 held a little different story. After a year of uncertainty, many companies were ready to get back to normal operations and our unmanned systems and autonomous sectors expanded considerably. We saw one of the largest project-driven years in Grand Forks County's history.
What is something you and/or your organization have accomplished this year that you are most proud of?
Three major things happened to brag about in 2021. 1) After an extensive site selection process, Grand Forks was chosen by Fufeng USA for a corn wet milling plant that will result in hundreds of jobs and create a huge economic impact. 2) Our unmanned and autonomous systems sector continues to burgeon, thanks to a UAS business park, unmanned test site, and the State of North Dakota launching a statewide beyond visual line of sight network. 3) We partnered with public and private organizations to raise $10 million dollars of matching funds in 72 days to support the creation of a career and technical education center that will serve thousands of students into the future. The Career Impact Academy will teach students skills and provide certifications while in high school, connecting them with regional employers and building a workforce pipeline.
What are some ways you hope you and your organization can continue to support your community and/or clients?
The number one thing our organization focuses on is listening to the needs of our member organizations and connecting them with opportunity.
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee
Audio Book or Podcast?
Podcast
What is a podcast or book you would recommend?
The Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
Favorite Movie?
Wall-E (creating a movie that is 75% non-dialogue and still hold the audience's attention is cinematically genius)
Night Out or Night In?
Night out. What is a couch again?
Dress-shoes or Sneakers?
High heels all the way.
What is something you like to do in your free time?
I own an art-based business so when I'm not building community, I'm covered in paint.