Say Yes to Your Local Lending Experts

Chamber Edc Staff

Maggie Byrd ...................................................Event Coordinator

Emily Eback ...Business Development & Marketing Coordinator

Ross Frohlich ............................................Membership Director

Mary Kempenich........................Workforce Marketing Specialist

Christine Nelson ..........................Vice President Sales & Events

Rebecca Pelkey .................................Communications Specialist

Brian Ritter .......................................................President & CEO

Julianne Sauvage ...................... Office and Accounting Manager

Lyndsey Scheurer .........................Creative Marketing Specialist

Nathan Schneider ................................................Vice President

Emily Seebold ................................................ Sales Coordinator

Cathryn Sprynczynatyk .....................Communications Specialist

Kelsey Wirt .......................Small Business Outreach Coordinator

1640 Burnt Boat Drive, Bismarck, ND 58503 701-223-5660 • www.bismarckmandan.com

Contact Information

Advertising Emily Seebold eseebold@bmcedc.com

Content Rebecca Pelkey rpelkey@bmcedc.com

We process small loans for local businesses and multi-million dollar loans for large corporations with the same quality of service and expertise. Our status as a large community bank helps us offer the best of both worlds –the knowledge and expertise of a big financial institution and the customer service and attention to detail of a small community bank. With First International Bank & Trust, you’ll be able to Say Yes to Living First with banking solutions tailored to your needs, from business loans to direct deposits. No matter what stage your business is currently in, we can help you grow into your future.

BANKING | MORTGAGE | INSURANCE* | TRUST & INVESTMENTS*

If the cover of this month’s Connection didn’t grab your attention, I honestly don’t know what to say.

All of those delicious foods are made right here in Bismarck-Mandan and for a while now, and they deserve some attention. Fortunately, the July Connection has traditionally been the issue where we spotlight our community’s entrepreneurs. So it dawned on us; why not make it about food? It didn’t take our team too much longer to put together a list of area entrepreneurs who are making their own food products that we want to share with you. The result was another edition of the Connection that we’re really proud of and think you’ll enjoy.

Ok, I’m getting hungry, on to another topic.

As you likely know, we’re currently searching for a new Chamber EDC President & CEO. Current Chamber EDC President & CEO Brian Ritter’s last day in the office will be Friday, July 7 and, for the past several weeks, we’ve been actively engaged in a nation-wide search for his successor. To lead this effort, we have convened a dedicated Search Committee that includes members of the Chamber EDC Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and Membership who have helped us post the position across the country, narrow down the list of candidates and facilitate interviews. I’m happy to report that the process has gone very well and I’m hopeful that we’ll have a new leader very soon.

It's been a busy summer and that’s not the only thing occupying our time. One of the Chamber EDC’s five core functions is policy development. As the business community’s advocate at the local, state and federal levels of government, that work never stops. Most recently, we convened a meeting of the four political subdivisions impacted by the possible reinstatement of the Bismarck Renaissance Zone: the City of Bismarck, Burleigh County, Bismarck Parks & Recreation and Bismarck School District. At the state level, we’re already working on our 2025 Legislative Agenda and hosted a meeting of Bismarck-Mandan legislators to start that work. At the federal level, we’re working to schedule meetings with each member of our Congressional Delegation to discuss issues affecting the Bismarck-Mandan business community just as we have in years past. I’m incredibly grateful to our Government Affairs Committee Chair Marnie Walth, our Staff and Leadership for all of their hard work in making sure we’re active on all three fronts.

Now for something a little ‘lighter’ and still food-related, lunch.

For the past several summers, the Chamber EDC has hosted Lunch on the Patio. Three times each summer we host lunch right here at the Chamber EDC as a small token of our appreciation to all of our members. Each and every Chamber EDC Member is invited to come to our patio for a lunch of burgers and brats, to enjoy the great view and network with other members. We’ve seen the attendance at this event continue to grow and we couldn’t be happier. If you haven’t had a chance to join us, you’re personally invited to attend the next Lunch on the Patio on Wednesday, July 12 from 11:30am – 1:00pm. You won’t be disappointed.

It’s a very busy time at the Chamber EDC right now, so I want to end by thanking our dedicated and talented team for all of their hard work, and I thank YOU for your continued support of the important work that we do.

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Wendy Van Duyne, Chair Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC