Fargo‑Moorhead chamber outlines Innovate ’28 results, asks Clay County to consider 2026 funding
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Summary
Shannon Foll of the Fargo‑Moorhead West Fargo Chamber and Joe Raso of the EDC presented outcomes from the Innovate ’28 economic initiative, highlighted workforce and site‑ready efforts, and asked Clay County commissioners to consider a 2026 budget contribution.
Shannon Foll, president of the Fargo‑Moorhead West Fargo Chamber, told the Clay County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 19 that Innovate ’28 — a four‑year joint initiative of the Chamber and the Economic Development Corporation — has concentrated on public policy, workforce and business development and is seeking county funding for 2026.
The chamber described several outcomes and ongoing efforts that it said support the county's economic goals: targeted lobbying at the state level on flood mitigation and tax credits; workforce attraction and retention programs; a virtual‑reality recruiting tool used by at least 14 local companies; and a site‑readiness program that includes the Makara Industrial Park in Clay County. Joe Raso of the EDC said the region still had “over 8,600 jobs being posted by companies across the region” and that the organizations are tracking “over 20,000 individuals” who are prospects for relocation.
Why it matters: County commissioners said the county has made legislative engagement a priority in recent years and is considering whether to continue or expand public investment in regional economic development. Commissioner Campbell and others said the county’s flood protection work and other infrastructure investments have strengthened the case for new business attraction.
The chamber said Innovate ’28 raises roughly $3.9 million per year from a mix of private and public investment, and asked Clay County to “look favorably upon investment in the future at the same level or greater,” adding that the next investor briefing is Oct. 21. The presenters pointed to recent, large-scale projects — including a company described in the presentation as Applied Digital planning a $3,000,000,000 facility — as evidence the region’s profile is increasing, while acknowledging that workforce supply and site readiness must keep pace.
Commissioners asked about coordination with local downtown and rural development groups, how site readiness aligns with the state’s shovel‑ready program, and what the chamber and EDC are doing on career awareness and work‑based learning. The presenters said the chamber runs a teacher immersion “Adventures” program that moved to continuing education credits this year and is planning a bioscience summit to connect students with employers.
The chamber requested that county staff forward any additional budget questions; commissioners said the request will be considered during the county’s 2026 budget process. No formal county appropriation was voted at the Aug. 19 meeting.
Speakers quoted in this article are identified in the board’s public record and included in the meeting transcript.
