The Chamber's military engagement | Fostering regional strength and support
The Chamber is on a mission to foster a community of support for our military bases, units, personnel and families. With a total economic impact of over $130 million in the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo area, the vital role of the military in our region is undeniable. Together, we will continue to strengthen the support for those who defend our freedoms and serve our communities and country each and every day.
THE CHAMBER'S N.D. BASE ENHANCEMENT GRANT
In 2023, The Chamber was awarded a Base Enhancement Grant from the North Dakota Department of Commerce totaling an amount of $250,000 to use toward the maintenance and enhancement of military excellence in North Dakota, as well as increasing the state's competitive advantage for the Guard through Strategic Advocacy and Awareness, the Advancement of Personnel Recruitment, and Community-Based Programming and Support.
The Chamber is pursuing the following outcomes:
- Maintenance of regional missions
- Secure federal funding
- Promotion of aircraft assignment
- Reinstatement of federal tuition assistance programs
- Improve equipment modernization
- Enhance BRAC criteria proficiency
- Increase regional end-strength
- Promote community engagement
- Enhance business engagement
- Expand regional military friendliness
- Foster personnel integration
- Increase military retention
Col. Christopher Domitrovich
Commander, 119th Wing Happy Hooligans
North Dakota Air National Guard
"Sixty-five percent of the 119th Wing works or goes to school in the FMWF area. My greatest ask is that our businesses, colleges and universities provide support to our Airmen when they need to perform military duty, either for drill or activated support to their Nation or State. The backbone of the Air National Guard are the Drill Status Guardsmen, and we need to ensure they are supported not only by their family and friends, but by employers and our greater community. Thank you for all you do to support us."
Miltary Affairs Committee
The Chamber's Military Affairs Committee (MAC) is comprised of more than 60 business representatives, regional military unit commanders, regional support organization leaders, veterans and community members who are passionate about regional military affairs. The mission of the MAC is to support the missions at our regional military units by enhancing community awareness and support for military personnel and regional units.
Military Affairs Committee Chair: Erik Lind, BWR Innovations
Interested in learning more or joining this committee? Contact Cale Dunwoody at cdunwoody@fmwfchamber.com or 701.365.3440.
"One of the significant roles of the Guard is our ability to provide communities the capacity to respond to emergencies when additional manpower and capabilities are needed. Another crucial way the Guard and communities work together is the sharpening and sharing of a skilled workforce. For example, many of our Military Police soldiers are also local law enforcement officers. These guard members bring additional experiences and skillsets into their communities as local officers, and their extra training and time with police departments gives them even more experience to bring back to their guard missions."
Col. Kevin Miller
Commander, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
North Dakota Army National Guard
The Chamber Link, Episode #3 - Military Impact
Col. Chris Domitrovich, Commander, 119th Wing, NDANG
Lt. Col. Alan Roehrich, Officer In Charge, 141st MEB, NDARNG
Josh Seley, Owner, Deckplate Diesel - U.S. Navy Veteran
Honor Star
The Chamber's Honor Star program is a long-standing business community-led initiative focused on fostering and strengthening community support for our military, service members and their families. Every year, businesses throughout the FMWF community come together through the Honor Star program to support The Chamber's military affairs efforts through monetary contributions. These investments, coupled with additional public and private funds, are strategically used to provide support for community and military-based organizations, events and activities.
Honor Star Members,
On behalf of the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce and our military community, thank you for your continued support of the Chamber’s Military Affairs efforts and your investment as an Honor Star business.
Our region is fortunate to have a strong military presence. The North Dakota and Minnesota National Guards generate a collective economic impact of more than $130 Million annually in the FMWF metro and engage nearly 3,500 service members. The Chamber's Honor Star program exists to cultivate meaningful, community-based support for these local heroes—our neighbors, coworkers, and friends. As we close out 2025, I’d like to share a few highlights that demonstrate the impact your investment made possible over the past year.
In 2025, Honor Star investments enabled The Chamber to support local military units, service members, veterans, and their families through community events, recognition experiences, advocacy efforts and relationship-building opportunities, including:
- Sponsoring the 119th Wing’s Airman of the Year Banquet in March, welcoming more than 700 Happy Hooligans and their families to recognize outstanding service and leadership among local Air Guard members.
- Supporting multiple National Guard Family Day events, helping create welcoming, family-focused experiences that strengthen morale, reinforce community connection and foster support networks.
- Co-hosting a business and community leaders breakfast with Adm. Stuart Munsch, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe–Africa and Allied Joint Force Command Naples, in May. This event provided direct engagement with a senior U.S. military commander on national security priorities, global defense challenges and the strategic importance of the region’s military missions.
- Hosting more than 1,500 service members and family members at the annual Military Appreciation Night at the RedHawks in June, offering a visible and meaningful show of community support.
- Organizing a business and community leaders tour of Camp Ripley in September, deepening regional understanding of Minnesota National Guard training operations and impact.
- Providing 40 gifts for the Father-Daughter Ball in September, supporting local military members and their families.
- Packing 300 holiday gift bags for local and deployed service members in December, ensuring service members felt the support of their community during the holiday season.
- Convening bi-monthly Military Affairs Committee meetings to guide strategy, align stakeholders and advance military-related priorities.
- Supporting federal advocacy efforts throughout the year, elevating regional military priorities in conversations with federal policymakers.
- Providing ongoing strategic engagement and coordination with local military units through sustained relationship-building and advocacy.
In 2026, The Chamber remains committed to enhancing our Military Affairs efforts through timely, intentional and meaningful programming, engagements and advocacy. We hope you will consider continuing your partnership as we work to foster a strong, supportive community for those who serve and the missions they carry out on behalf of our region and country.
To continue your support, you may select the $200 Honor Star investment when paying your 2026 membership invoice or during your sponsorship/Community Builder meeting. Participating businesses will receive a 2026 Honor Star window cling and recognition on The Chamber’s Honor Star business list.
Thank you again for your continued support of The Chamber and our local service members and veterans.
Lt. Col. Jon Anderson
Battalion Commander, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry
Minnesota Army National Guard
"Unlike our active-duty partners in the Army, guard soldiers live and work in our communities. Often, our men and women can feel alone when they are the only soldiers in their workplace, neighborhood or school. If the public works to understand the requirements and responsiblities of their service, our soldiers will feel better supported and understood. I also firmly believe that how our local businesses and employers support their employees who serve directly impacts a soldiers propensity to enlist or continue to serve. It can be challenging for businesses to have an absent employee when the Guard calls upon them, but this support from our employers plays a major role in our military's recruitment and retention."
This annual event brings together military members and supporters, allowing our community to honor and recognize them and their families with a night full of patriotism and fun for the whole family.
WHY THIS NIGHT IS IMPORTANT
Our service members and their families have earned our appreciation for all they have sacrificed. Consider continuing to help The Chamber in our mission to foster a community of support for members of the military and the missions they carry out on behalf of our community. Let's continue showing our military and the rest of the nation how the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo community shows up to appreciate, welcome and support these men and women.
HOW SUPPORT FROM OUR MEMBERS MAKES THIS NIGHT A REALITY
This is all made possible thanks to Chamber members who go above and beyond to sponsor a family to attend our annual Military Appreciation Night. Sponsorship allows The Chamber to treat over 1,000 community military members and their families with an unforgettable evening of appreciation and family fun watching the RedHawks play ball.
In 2024, The Chamber was able to provide over 2,000 tickets to military members and their families.
This event marked the largest RedHawks crowd since 2018, with 4,778 fans in attendance!