Howard Brockhouse joins Grand Forks EDC as business development manager

The Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation hired Howard Brockhouse to lead business recruitment and expansion efforts in Grand Forks County. Brockhouse brings more than 30 years of experience in business development, training and project management as the EDC looks to support primary-sector growth across the region.

Why it matters: - The Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation is adding an experienced business recruiter at a time when local leaders are focused on growing primary-sector jobs in Grand Forks County. - Brockhouse will help shape strategies aimed at attracting new businesses and supporting companies already operating in the region.

What happened: - The Grand Forks Region EDC announced that Howard Brockhouse has joined its staff as business development manager. - Brockhouse will develop and implement strategies for primary-sector business recruitment and expansion in Grand Forks County. - Brockhouse will work with community leaders to bring in new businesses and strengthen the environment for existing companies.

The details: - Brockhouse has more than 30 years of experience in business development, management, training and project management. - He joins the EDC from Northland Community and Technical College and the National Center for Autonomous Technologies, where he served as director of manufacturing and training. - In that role, Brockhouse worked with organizations on customized training, customer service and quality initiatives. - At NCAT, Brockhouse also served as a project manager and led coordination for DroneZone, Trusted Operator drone training and the Composite Bootcamp. - Brockhouse has an associate degree from Northland Community and Technical College and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. - Outside work, Brockhouse is active in his church, a local community club and the Rotary Club. - Brockhouse said he is excited to bring his people-connection approach to businesses across the Grand Forks region. - EDC President and CEO Keith Lund said Brockhouse’s decades of experience and regional connections make him a strong fit for the role.

Between the lines: - The hire signals that the EDC is leaning on a candidate with deep local ties and a mix of workforce-training and business-development experience. - Brockhouse’s background in customized training may help the EDC address one of the most common barriers to expansion: finding and preparing workers. - The emphasis on community presence suggests the EDC wants more direct relationship-building with employers and local partners.

What's next: - Brockhouse is expected to begin building out recruitment and expansion strategies for Grand Forks County. - The EDC will be looking for those efforts to translate into new investment, business growth and stronger support for existing employers. - Brockhouse said he looks forward to continuing his involvement in the Grand Forks community while taking on the new role. - More information is available on the organization’s LinkedIn page, Facebook page, YouTube channel and X account.