From Ohio to Fargo: How GFMEDC Helped aerialPLOT Find Its Home
Company: aerialPLOT
Industry: Agriculture Technology (AgTech)
Headquarters: Fargo, North Dakota
The Challenge
In 2023, aerialPLOT, an agriculture and technology company, was at a crossroads. Leadership knew they needed an intellectual hub to anchor their growth, but where? The list of candidates was long: Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Madison, Des Moines, Omaha, or staying in Ohio. Each city offered something, but none felt like the right fit.
Minneapolis made an early run. The team explored the market and even made soft attempts to hire there, but after a closer look, the benefits didn’t outweigh the costs. The large labor market was appealing, but little else distinguished it as the right home for an AgTech company with big ambitions.
The Connection
The turning point came at the World AgriTech Summit in 2024, when Kris Poulson, CEO of local agtech company FarmQA, suggested aerialPLOT take a serious look at Fargo and North Dakota. He made the same recommendation again in 2025, and this time, aerialPLOT was ready to listen. Because of existing relationships, Poulson pointed them to Ryan Aasheim at GFMEDC as the best place to start.
What followed was a single introductory meeting that set everything in motion.
The GFMEDC Difference
From the first conversation, GFMEDC’s Ryan didn’t just answer questions, he opened doors.
After learning about aerialPLOT’s needs and growth goals, Ryan coordinated a series of follow-up meetings with the North Dakota Department of Commerce and the Bank of North Dakota (BND), helping the team quickly understand what the state had to offer that met their strategic priorities.
When aerialPLOT returned to Fargo for the Prairie Capital Summit, Ryan was there making introductions, championing the company, and connecting leadership with the right people at every turn.
“Ryan introduced me to everyone and was a great champion during the conference.” Gary Nijak Chief Operations Officer and VP of Business Development, aerialPLOT
Financing the Future
With momentum building, aerialPLOT set out to debt finance their next phase of growth. Once again, GFMEDC stepped in, connecting them with local banking partners. aerialPLOT selected Cornerstone Bank, which worked directly with BND to structure a financing package that met their needs.
With favorable loan terms in hand, the decision was made: Fargo would be aerialPLOT’s new home.
Putting Down Roots
The relationship didn’t stop at financing. GFMEDC introduced aerialPLOT to Roers Company, where they became one of the first tenants at The Cove, a premier space that reflects the innovative, forward-thinking culture aerialPLOT is building.
And as the company settled in, GFMEDC made one more connection introducing aerialPLOT to Grand Farm, the region’s premier AgTech initiative. aerialPLOT joined as a sponsor, further embedding themselves in the fabric of the FM region’s growing AgTech ecosystem.
Workforce Support
As aerialPLOT has begun building out there team, the GFMEDC has been there communicating, connecting, and promoting positions and identifying candidates to fill several key roles including Business Manager, Agronomy Software Engineer and Senior Agronomic Solutions Manager.
The Result
What started as a casual conversation at a national conference became a full relocation supported at every stage by GFMEDC.
“GFMEDC was the key throughout the whole process. They’ve connected us at every stage, been an ongoing resource, and continue to guide us through our move and hiring process.” Gary Nijak Chief Operations Officer and VP of Business Development, aerialPLOT
From initial exploration to financing, real estate, and community integration, GFMEDC served as aerialPLOT’s constant guide, proof that in the FM region, economic development isn’t just a transaction. It’s a relationship.
