Industry Partners
Donor List
The North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education (ND CTE) offered each community in North Dakota to apply through a competitive application process for up to $10 million to establish or expand career and technical education centers. Those funds were made available through the federal Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund.
Grand Forks raised over $10 million from public and private partners and wrote a competitive grant to receive a full $10 million match from ND CTE, which was approved in March 2022.
The Career Impact Academy is proud to have 99 partners in donations of financial assistance, in-kind donations, equipment donations, and other supports for our facility.
- Acme Tools – Dan & Marilyn Kuhlman Family
- Advanced Business Method
- AE2S
- Alerus Bank
- Altru Health System
- Anderson Steel Erection & Crane Service Inc.
- Bergstrom Electric
- Bolton & Menk
- Brady Martz Associates
- Old National Bank
- Butler Machinery
- C.L. Linfoot
- Choice Bank
- Cirrus Aircraft
- City of Grand Forks
- CMS
- Construction Engineers
- Core Scientific
- CPS, LTD
- Crary Real Estate
- Custom Aire, Inc.
- Bears Home Solutions
- Dakota Commercial
- Dakota Sales Co., Inc.
- Badman Design
- Development Homes
- Dub Construction
- EAPC
- Philip & Patricia Gisi
- Grand Forks Herald
- Forx Builders Association
- Fusion Automation
- Hal & Kathleen Gershman Family Foundation
- Harry's Steakhouse
- Grand Forks Area Career & Technology Center
- Grand Forks Builders & Traders Exchange
- Grand Forks Public Schools
- Grand Forks Region EDC
- Goodin
- Grand Forks County
- Greenberg Realty
- Jim & Marydale Hansen
- Houston Engineering
- Hugos
- Ideal Aerosmith
- Indigo Signs
- Industrial Contract Services
- JLG Architects
- Johnson Controls
- JR Simplot Company
- JRK Steel
- Knight Foundation DAF/Community Foundation of GF, EGF & Region
- Kost Materials
- Lumber Mart
- Lunn Family
- Lunseth Plumbing & Heating
- Midco
- Minnkota Power Cooperative
- Nodak Electric Cooperative
- North Dakota Department of Career & Technical Education
- North Dakota Eye Clinic
- Northern Plumbing Supply
- Northern Tier
- Northridge Construction
- Northstar Insulation
- Olympic Companies
- Opp Construction LLC
- PCL/Community, A Joint Venture
- Pro Transport
- Project Lead the Way
- RDO Equipment Co
- RDO Truck Centers
- Janell & Jeff Regimbal
- Retrax Holdings
- Ripley's Inc.
- RJ Zavorol & Sons Inc.
- Rydell Auto
- Sanford Health
- Simonson Station Stores
- Skinner Roofing
- Steffes
- Sterling Carpet One
- Strata
- Tecta America Dakotas
- Terracon
- The Chamber Grand Forks - East Grand Forks
- Tim Shea's Landscaping
- Traill Painting
- True North Equipment
- UND Alumni Association Foundation
- Urban Research Park
- US Bank
- Valley Senior Living
- Valley Petroleum
- Vilandre
- WFW Engineers
- Widseth
- Woodside Industries
- Xcel Energy
Advisory Committees
Based on the North Dakota Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee Guide, the advisory committee serves as a collaborative group that supports and strengthens Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs by connecting education with industry and community needs.
The advisory committee works with educators and administrators to provide guidance, support, and recommendations for career and technical education programs. The primary purpose of the committee is to advise, assist, support, and advocate for the program in ways that improve instruction and expand learning opportunities for students.
Members of the committee typically represent a cross-section of business, industry, and the community related to the career field of the program. Their real-world experience allows them to provide valuable insight into workforce trends, industry expectations, and skills needed for students to succeed in their chosen careers.
While the committee does not have decision-making authority over the program, it plays an important advisory role by offering recommendations on curriculum, equipment, program direction, and student opportunities. The committee also helps ensure that programs remain relevant, current, and aligned with workforce demands, which strengthens both student preparation and partnerships with local employers.
The Grand Forks CTE Advisory Committee encompasses the whole district and not individual schools. If you are interested in supporting one of these programs, you can reach out to Eric Ripley, Executive Director of CTE at eripley270@mygfschools.org or Theresa Ostgarden, CTE Coordinator at tostgarden220@mygfschools.org, and they will direct you to the appropriate contact.
Grand Forks Career & Technical Education Committee Groups
- Automotive Technology
- Aviation
- Building Trades
- Business Education
- FACS
- Graphic Design
- Information Technology
- Marketing
- Health Sciences
- Technology & Engineering
- Culinary
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Agriculture
- Work-Based Learning
- Career Development
How to Engage
How Can You Support the Career Impact Academy?
If you are interested in supporting and would appreciate a conversation, Eric Ripley is available through email, eripley27@mygfschools.org or by phone of 701-746-2310.
We also value champions who can help spread the word about the Career Impact Academy. Talk to your employer about the importance of supporting this endeavor, and connect with Grand Forks Public Schools or the Grand Forks Economic Development Corporation to share your feedback.