Job‑selection committee members who interviewed management teams for the Hive incubator on June 12 recommended Grand Sky as the most qualified firm, and the Growth Fund committee voted June 23 to concur with that recommendation and allow staff to open negotiations.

Haley Rosoffin, who presented the interview panel’s findings to the committee, said the panel scored Catalyst, Grand Sky and the UND Aerospace Foundation against RFQ criteria that included industry expertise, partnerships with relevant sectors, experience developing and reporting performance metrics, mentorship capacity for startup and scale‑up firms, and facilities management and budgeting. The panel included the mayor and representatives from UND, the EDC and city administration.

Ro​soffin said cost proposals submitted with the RFQ were not opened and that staff will begin negotiating fees with Grand Sky after Jobs Development Authority approval and cost‑proposal opening. Committee members asked whether the city intended to keep the Hive as a city‑owned facility or pursue a sale in the long term; members also discussed how the management contract would link to the JDA and Growth Fund as negotiations proceed.

The committee moved to concur with the selection committee’s recommendation and begin negotiations; members voted unanimously to approve the motion.