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  • The Chamber Blog

  • Stay current on the latest and most pressing Chamber and community stories, news, updates and more.
    Saturday, May 1, 2021
    From Kosovo to Keto: The story of Amy Monson’s many missions

    From the moment Amy Monson attended her cousin’s wedding in sixth grade, she knew she found her calling to serve. The allure of the uniform led her to a 20-year career in the military, fueled by an interest in agriculture and followed by the launch of a business where she now serves a new crowd, coaching people who need help reaching their health goals.

    Amanda Huggett

    Monday, March 1, 2021
    CHI Friendship: People’s Choice Award Winner

    CHI Friendship is a nationwide leader in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities, and in 2020, Chamber members voted them the People’s Choice award winner. CHI Friendship has been providing individualized supports to people with disabilities since opening in 1974. They encourage people to live life just like everyone else, including living, working and connecting with their community

    Amanda Huggett

    Monday, February 1, 2021
    Young Professionals Best Place to Work: Vogel Law Firm

    One of the top law firms in North Dakota is also one of the top employers for YPs in the region, making them the 2020 Young Professionals Best Place to Work.

    Amanda Huggett

    Friday, January 1, 2021
    Entrepreneur of the Year: Tom McDougall

    Tom McDougall founded High Point Networks in 2003 when he was inspired to create an information technology business that focused on solving real business needs rather than on reactively answering requests. He started with a team of four people in a small office in West Fargo, primarily focusing on network and security solutions for businesses.

    Amanda Huggett

    Tuesday, December 1, 2020
    Business of the Year: BNG Team

    From the beginning, BNG Team has worked in credit card processing, striving to bring integrity to the industry by providing payment solutions to local businesses. That beginning was in 2007, when three friends at NDSU fell in love with the idea of being entrepreneurs and pursued this very business idea.

    Amanda Huggett

    Sunday, November 1, 2020
    Small Business of the Year: Sagency

    Sagency is a leadership coaching and executive search firm. The Sagency team is comprised of experienced professionals united around a mission of helping leaders, teams and organizations achieve their greatness. Their track record as trusted guides span across various sectors including healthcare, biotech, non-profits, real estate, engineering, construction, agriculture and food, and professional services.

    Amanda Huggett

    Thursday, October 1, 2020
    Valley Senior Services: Not-for-Profit of the Year

    For some senior citizens, getting to and from appointments, keeping up with friends, taking care of a home, and eating healthy meals, can be a challenge. That’s where Valley Senior Services steps in. Since 1971, this organization has helped thousands of seniors each year in a variety of ways.

    Amanda Huggett

    Friday, May 1, 2020
    A sweet little story: Nothing Bundt Cakes

    Nothing Bundt Cakes is a national company, based entirely around, you guessed it, bundt cakes! We are lucky to have one store in our own metro. Founded by Dena Tripp and Debbie Shwetz in Las Vegas in 1997, they joined forces—or better yet, kitchens—to make cakes for their friends and family. They quickly realized this side hustle could be something more. Flash forward, and the Nothing Bundt Cakes brand has grown nationwide. The West Fargo bakery is store #340 and is the first in North Dakota, opening about

    Amanda Huggett

    Monday, March 2, 2020
    Member profile: Moore Engineering, Inc.

    For the past 60 years, Moore Engineering, Inc. has been living out its mission of improving lives by building strong communities. Originally founded by brothers Kip and Marshall Moore as a civil engineering and surveying business with strong Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo roots, everything the company does today still supports those core services, even with great growth in subspecialties, offices, employees and impact.

    Amanda Huggett

    Monday, February 3, 2020
    Bell Insurance: Familiar Faces with New Spaces

    With a rich history dating back over 100 years ago in downtown Fargo, what we know today as Bell Insurance started with long-time local insurance agency Warner and Company. Founded in 1911, Warner and Company Insurance became Bell Insurance one year ago, joining forces with Bell Bank, one of the largest independently owned banks in the nation—not to mention a FMWF Chamber Community Builder.

    Amanda Huggett

    Wednesday, January 1, 2020
    Microsoft’s campus celebrates 20 years in Fargo

    For many of us, today’s technology makes it all too easy to get wrapped up in the future, excited for innovation and hopeful for new successes that come with new decades, often putting the past in the rearview mirror. At Microsoft Fargo, this excitement is certainly noticeable; however, it can’t be severed from a strong pride of their roots.

    Katie Mastel

    Sunday, December 1, 2019
    People’s Choice: Fargo Youth Hockey Association

    Local non-profit Fargo Youth Hockey Association scored the title of People’s Choice at the ChamberChoice Awards last May. About eight years ago, three associations consisting of the Fargo Raiders, Fargo Flyers & Fargo All-City merged under the name Fargo Youth Hockey Association - Fargo Freeze and created one large association that feeds five high school hockey teams.

    Amanda Huggett

    Friday, November 1, 2019
    Entrepreneur of the Year: Jeff Shipley

    Embracing failures is not typical in the world of entrepreneurship. However, Jeff Shipley isn’t your typical entrepreneur. Shipley, a local businessman, originally from Devil’s Lake, currently owns and leads 12 real estate-related companies with multiple locations covering two states, and this number is growing rapidly.

    Amanda Huggett

    Tuesday, October 1, 2019
    Young Professionals Best Place to Work: Eide Bailly LLP

    At Eide Bailly, accounting may be the game, but relationships remain supreme. And this top 25 CPA firm puts its young professionals at the core of its culture. Eide Bailly promises a work experience like none other, and they deliver by encouraging growth, promoting from within and celebrating achievements. Core values are built into their culture statement, and focus on respect, integrity, trust, innovation and creativity.

    Amanda Huggett

    Monday, September 2, 2019
    Business of the Year: Power Plate Meals

    It’s not always easy to make healthy meal choices when living a busy lifestyle. Thankfully, that’s where Power Plate Meals steps in. Starting just three years ago with a single West Fargo store, husband-wife duo Seth and Haylee Houkom have built a successful business offering ready-to-eat, chef-cooked meals that are healthy, fresh, and packed full of flavor.

    Amanda Huggett

    Thursday, August 1, 2019
    Small Business of the Year—Games Galore Party Rental

    Bringing an element of fun to events around the region and proving that games aren’t just for kids, Games Galore is the party rental destination for organizations or families planning their next gathering sure to be the talk of the town.

    Amanda Huggett

    Monday, July 1, 2019
    Not-for-Profit of the Year: Vocational Training Center

    The Vocational Training Center is a place where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can find support in achieving their life’s dreams and goals.

    Amanda Huggett

    Monday, June 3, 2019
    Sandy's Donuts: A sweet community staple

    With a very sweet story of success, Sandy’s Donuts is a well-loved gem in our community. This beloved brand is actually a family business. What started as one small mom-and-pop shop in West Fargo now has expanded its footprint, added a downtown location, and has a third south Fargo store opening later this summer.

    Amanda Huggett

    Wednesday, May 1, 2019
    D-S Beverages: A conversation about community, quality, and of course, beer, with the Bud Man

    Tucked into a Moorhead neighborhood is a gem many of you know – even if you don’t know you know! If you’ve ever sipped the frothy delight of a Bud Light around here, you know D-S Beverages and the work of the man at the helm. Doug Restemayer and the D-S Beverages team has been infusing quality beverage craftsmanship into our community since 1968. And they’re much more than just a beverage business from Moorhead.

    Amanda Huggett

    Monday, April 1, 2019
    Delta by Marriott: A new brand unique for our market

    It’s incredibly rare for a full-service Marriott hotel to be located in a metro community our size. Yet, Fargo Moorhead West Fargo is lucky enough to have one right in our backyard. You probably know the Delta by Marriott as the former Ramada. The transition to this exciting new brand was completed about two years ago.

    Amanda Huggett

    Friday, February 1, 2019
    Member profile: Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley

    Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley is the only organization of its kind in the community. Their mission is to support families whose children are receiving medical care in the area by providing home-like comfort, support and care.

    Amanda Huggett

    Tuesday, January 1, 2019
    Entrepreneur of the Year: Tyrone Leslie

    Tyrone Leslie is a family man. When he’s not playing dad to his two teenage girls, he’s living out his entrepreneurial dream of running a successful business. And actually, he’s running five. Tyrone is owner of Fargo-based homebuilder Heritage Homes and real estate company Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties.

    Amanda Huggett

    Saturday, December 1, 2018
    Young Professionals Best Place to Work: Office Sign Company

    You might not think that a company that makes signs is exciting, but one look inside Office Sign Company, and you’d be surprised. This signage company has only been around for 10 years, but has experienced tremendous growth and success with a company culture that rivals the best.

    Amanda Huggett

    Thursday, November 1, 2018
    Eide Bailly: Focused on innovation

    Last summer, Eide Bailly celebrated 100 years of serving clients through tax, audit and accounting services. But over the years, the firm has added a variety of specialty services and grown to be much more. Focused on innovation to evolve with industry trends and best serve their clients, they’ve become known as the trusted business advisors.

    Amanda Huggett

    Monday, October 1, 2018
    Small Business of the Year: Prairie Winds Veterinary Center

    It’s not just business as usual at Prairie Winds Veterinary Center. This companion animal hospital in south Fargo is a true community partner that offers innovative care for clients and a family-friendly atmosphere for staff.

    Amanda Huggett

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