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Programs
The Joint Economic Development Commission was organized in 1985 by community leaders to help strengthen businesses and improve the business climate for the Greater Bemidji & Beltrami County Area. One of its main focuses has been to provide gap financing for business in the way of loans, equity investments & grants. Over the last 21 years, the JEDC has provided over $2.5 million in financing for area businesses. Through the use of dollars in the JEDC Seed Capital & City Development Fund, the JEDC has helped companies construct new buildings, buy equipment and have an added source of working capital. The JEDC works in partnership with business owners, their lenders & other financing organizations. Companies that we have assisted would include; Nortech Systems, Inc., Wells Technology, Anderson Fabrics, Synergy Solutions, American Door Supply Company, North Central Door Co., Black Star Dairy, Northwoods DNA and EXB Solutions, Inc.
 
 
Bemidji Bio! - This group was organized by the JEDC in 2004 to bring together all the people, agencies and organizations in the Greater Bemidji Area that work in the fields of BioScience and BioTechnology. Its mission is to create networking among the BioScience staff in this community as well as raise the awareness at the state level of our current work and research in the BioSciences. Representatives on the Bemidji Bio! Council come from the following businesses and organizations; JEDC, Bemidji State University, Agricultural Utilization and Research Institute (AURI), Northwoods DNA, Minnesota Technology, Mn Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Forensic Lab, North Country Regional Hospital, MeritCare Clinic Bemidji, and TriGen Seed. Bemidji Bio! has sponsored two major conferences with one focusing on Bio-Energy and the most recent on BioScience / Medical Technology.
 
Heroes & Legends - The JEDC began the Heroes and Legends...Learning From the Masters program in 2005 as a way of showcasing the lessons of life learned by successful business people. The target audiences include students and staff at Bemidji State University and community members. The presenters that have discussed the twists and turns in their career path have included David Olderman, retired CEO and owner of Carret and Company, a successful Wall Street investment banking firm, Grant Oppegaard, retired President and CEO of Genmar Holdings, the largest pleasure boat manufacturer in the world. Mostly recently, Paul and Lynn Hunt from Hunt Utilities out of Pine River, Minnesota discussed their journey that led them to the invention of "The Turtle" which allows for remote electric meter reading and monitoring.
 
Bemidji Leads! - This organization was born out of discussion at an annual JEDC strategic planning session held in 2003. The Board felt that there was a need to develop a group of community stewards that would begin a visioning process that would help shape the direction of the Greater Bemidji Area for the next twenty-five years. Out of this discussion came Bemidji Leads! After a great many public meetings and discussions, the stewards of Bemidji Leads! have established seventeen Destiny Drivers that well help create our future economy and community. Visit www.bemidjileads.com for more information.
View all of the Destiny Drivers
 
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