GFMEDC Launches FM Data & Analytics Working Group to Strengthen Regional Decision-Making
Good decisions start with good data. That’s not a new idea — but acting on it in a coordinated, regional way? That’s exactly what we’re setting out to do.
In April, the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation (GFMEDC) convened the inaugural meeting of the FM Data & Analytics Working Group — a new advisory body bringing together voices from across our region to help shape how we collect, analyze, and use data to drive economic growth.
Why this group, and why now?
The economic and workforce landscape in our region is growing more complex. We’re tracking over 40,000 job postings annually, managing a labor force we’re working to grow from 152,000 to more than 164,000 by 2029, and supporting businesses across industries from bioscience to manufacturing to agtech. The data tools we use — Lightcast, Seekout, our FMHRA Workforce Survey, IMPLAN economic modeling, and more — give us a powerful foundation. But data is only as useful as the people who help shape and challenge it.
The Working Group serves as a sounding board for the EDC’s data and analytics work. Members help us stress-test our tools, identify gaps in regional data, improve the clarity and consistency of our outputs, and ensure our analytics investments are focused where they matter most. This group doesn’t set organizational strategy or select software — it makes our existing work sharper and more credible.
Who’s at the table?
Our inaugural group includes representatives from city governments, the North Dakota Department of Commerce, Minnesota DEED, Metro COG, Job Service North Dakota, local higher education institutions and interested GFMEDC investors — alongside GFMEDC staff. It’s a cross-sector group united by a shared belief that data-driven decisions lead to better outcomes for everyone in this region.
We heard it best from Nigel Haarstad, State Demographer at the North Dakota Department of Commerce, who shared this after our first meeting:
“Don’t put a word limit on that follow-up survey — I have way too many ideas after today.”
Nigel captured something important: when you pull together state agencies from both sides of the river, local partners, and private-sector voices, the ideas start flowing. The conversation went beyond reviewing data tools to comparing notes on the numbers we all rely on, where they fall short, and starting to connect each other with potential solutions and contacts. That kind of cross-sector energy is exactly what this group is built for.
What’s next?
We’ll meet at least three times a year, with each session focused on specific data products, emerging gaps, and actionable feedback. Our first meeting surfaced important conversations around housing data, workforce profiles, and how regional partners can better align their data efforts.
This is a living group — and we want it to reflect the full breadth of our regional community.
Want to be a part of it?
If you or someone you know would bring valuable perspective to this conversation, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out directly to Sammi Rowe at: srowe@fmedc.com or 701-364-1918.
The right voices at the table make all the difference.
