August’s Spotlight is on Matthew Marshall, Economic Development Administrator, Minnkota Power Cooperative
Wednesday, August 04, 2021
Who can believe it’s August already? We hope you’re enjoying the ongoing Olympic coverage while getting in a few last minute summer vacations!
For those who enjoy our newsletters each month, we apologize as we took July off. But, we are back at it here in August and we can’t wait to introduce you to our North Dakota board member, Matthew Marshall.
Matthew has been involved with Mid-America EDC for nearly 10 years. He brings extensive experience to the Mid-America board as he’s had careers in economic development at a local level, marketing executive, and now he helps lead a regional power cooperative’s economic development initiatives.
Enjoy getting to know Matt!
Q.1 Tell us about yourself! How long have you been on the Mid-America EDC board?
I am the new economic development administrator at Minnkota Power Cooperative serving Northwestern Minnesota and Northeastern North Dakota. My role provides economic development support to our 11 member cooperatives and 12 municipal systems that make up the Minnkota territory. I first became a member of Mid America EDC back in 2012 and can remember way back when we used to have conferences and meetings in person…..boy those were the days! In 2017 I was accepted on to the MAEDC board of directors and have thoroughly enjoyed serving with an extraordinary group of leaders.
Q.2Tell us more about the region you serve in North Dakota and Minnesota.
Minnkota Power is a not-for-profit electric generation and transmission cooperative that provides wholesale electricity to 11 member-owner distribution cooperatives located in eastern North Dakota and Northwestern Minnesota. Minnkota also serves as operating agent for the Northern Municipal Power Agency (NMPA), which supplies the electric needs of 12 associated municipals in the same geographic area as the Minnkota member-owners. Together, the Minnkota-NMPA Joint System serves approximately 160,000 consumers. I am lucky to serve an amazing geographic territory that spans from Northern Minnesota lakes and timber country to the rolling agricultural land in East central North Dakota. Like the rest of the Midwest, our region is home to many hidden gems that attract visitors from all over the world, namely Itasca State park which is the official headwaters of the Mississippi River located in Northern Minnesota and the Pembina Gorge in North Dakota. Speaking of unique, our territory is just to the South of Winnipeg Manitoba and our entire region benefits from having one of Canada’s largest cities just across the border.
Q.3What are some growth industries/opportunities for your region? Can you share any information on projects you’ve been working on recently?
Given the diverse geographic landscape and the combination of both urban and very rural counties we get to focus on a wide range of projects. In the rural areas, value added agriculture and timber projects help to drive the economy. In the urban areas growth industries range from advanced manufacturing, unmanned systems (both air and ground), aviation, and software development. Recently, it seems as though the days are dominated by data centers, large scale value added agriculture projects, or manufacturing expansions.
Q.4Do you have any post-pandemic bucket list items personally and/or professionally?
Absolutely! It may sound strange but both professionally and personally I just want to get out and experience life with people again. My family and I relocated 2 weeks before the country started sending everyone home to shelter in place so just recently have started to experience our new home under “normal” circumstances.
Category: Board of Directors