GRAND FORKS – Visit Greater Grand Forks has doled out $47,000 to 15 organizations and clubs in its latest round of funding to support activities ranging from the arts to skating to robotics and more.
Visit Greater Grand Forks, the local visitors bureau, assists convention, tournament and event planners through its Event Funding Program, which it funds along with the city.
These organizations received funding, according to an announcement from Julie Rygg, executive director of Visit Greater Grand Forks:
- Northern Valley Youth Orchestras – $500 for the Connections Concert: “We Are America” and $500 for the Connections Spring Concert;
- Border Blades Figure Skating Club – $1,000 for the Holiday Classic Figure Skating Competition;
- North Dakota Ballet Company – $1,000 for “The Magic Toy Shop” holiday ballet;
- Northern Lights Figure Skating Club – $2,500 for the Northern Star International Figure Skating Competition;
- Red River Basin Commission – $3,500 for the 42nd Annual Red River Basin Land and Water Summit;
- Green Wave Robotics – $2,000 for the Red River Valley Regional V5RC Tournament and $2,000 for the Red River Valley Regional VIQRC Tournament;
- North Dakota Society of Professional Land Surveyors – $1,000 for the NDSPLS Annual Convention;
- UND College of Engineering and Mines – $2,000 for the North Dakota FIRST Lego League Championship;
- Grand Forks Public Schools – $1,000 for the North Dakota Boys East Region Hockey Tournament and $5,000 for the North Dakota Boys and Girls State Hockey Tournament;
- Grand Forks Youth Hockey Association – $5,000 for the North Dakota Bantam AA and A State Hockey Tournament and $5,000 for the North Dakota PeeWee B Gold and Silver State Hockey Tournament;
- Grand Forks Chorales – $1,000 for Brahms’ Requiem Concert;
- North Dakota High School Coaches Association – $2,000 for the NDHSCA Nine-Man Coaches Clinic;
- Thunderbird Entertainment – $2,500 for the Toughest Monster Trucks event;
- Professional Bull Riders, LLC – $7,500 for the PBR Grand Forks; and
- Center for Rural Health – $2,000 for the Rural Collaborative Opportunities for Occupational Learning in Health Scrubs Academy I.
These events are expected to have a total direct spending impact of $3.6 million and a total economic impact of $5.4 million, according to Rygg.
“Visit Greater Grand Forks is proud to manage this program and grateful to the city of Grand Forks for the partnership,” Rygg said. “Events bring millions of dollars into our community and significantly contribute to the quality of life for local residents.”
The purpose of the Event Funding Program is to provide funding to organizations that promote Greater Grand Forks by hosting new or expanding events, she said. These events should also create a significant economic impact, draw attendees both locally and from outside the community, make an impact on the quality of life here, and last multiple days.
The next deadline for applications to this program is Jan. 15. To request an application packet, contact Rygg by email at
julie@visitgrandforks.com
or call (701) 746-0444.