Winnipegger says be proud GF

It looks like Klaus Thiessen, the head of the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corp., has resigned. That's really too bad because, from what I've heard, he's done a good job helping to create new jobs.

So, I called him today to talk about his decision to head back to Winnipeg. What's interesting is how hard it is for him. I've heard people talk about why they don't want to leave but you can kind of tell they're just trying to be nice. I think Klaus really means it.

Aside from the quality of life stuff -- short commute, downtown living, easy access to the Greenway -- which I completely agree with, he talked about how great his current job is.

He loves the people he's worked with. They're all on the same page. They all want to see more success.

I'm really blown away by what Klaus said because it always seems to me that this town bickers amongst itself way too much. Picture two old men sitting on a porch. The one says, "Nice weather today," and the other spits in disgust, "Bah! Could be nicer!" That's Grand Forks.

Before Klaus came, there were actually personality conflicts between the old EDC head and some members of the City Council. I mean they just didn't get along, not that one did or didn't do his job. Even now, there are some elected officials that seem opposed to the city's involvement in economic development.

Klaus said things are just dandy here compared to other cities. I just need to get out a bit, was the suggestion. That made me feel good about the city.

The other thing that Klaus talked about the accessibility of high government officials, such as Gov. John Hoeven and Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D.

Of the gov, Klaus said: "When he says, 'If you need something, call,' he means it."

Of the senator, Klaus said he's the envy of his colleagues on the International Economic Development Council, a professional body whose board he sits on. They can't believe how easy it is for him to get a meeting with Dorgan because a lot of them rarely if ever meet with their Congressional delegation.

The Washington, D.C., based IEDC, as an incentive to get more members to attend, actually tries to set up meetings with members' Congressional delegation.

Yeah, we do have it pretty good as the third largest city in North Dakota.

Posted by: Tu-Uyen on 2/17/2009 at 11:22 PM | Comments (13) | Permalink