APEX Receives National Recognition for NORTHFORCE...AGAIN!

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

APEX and The Northspan Group recently won first place in their division for the Mid-America Economic Development Council (MAEDC) 2016 Annual Economic Development Awards for NORTHFORCE strategies and activities. As part of the recognition, APEX will be featured in the January issue of nationally-distributed Site Selection Magazine.

This is the third year that APEX has been recognized at the national level for its marketing efforts. In 2013, APEX was awarded first place by MAEDC for its newsletter, Pinnacle, and in 2014, APEX was awarded first place for its data center attraction strategy by the Economic Development Association of Minnesota (EDAM). Additionally, in 2016, NORTHFORCE was recognized by the Twin Cities business publication Finance & Commerce with a Progress Minnesota Award as well as Economic Development Initiative of the Year by EDAM.

MAEDC presented its annual Economic Development Awards at the 2016 Mid-America Competitiveness Conference and Site Selector Forum, held December 4-6, 2016, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Chicago. APEX and The Northspan Group were awarded first place for their workforce development strategy under the small division marketing program category (for annual marketing budgets under $100,000).

“We are ecstatic to be recognized with this award for our workforce development efforts,” stated Brian Hanson, APEX President and CEO. “Since the launch of NORTHFORCE in 2014, we have focused considerable time and energy into recruiting talent to our region and matching candidates with employment opportunities. NORTHFORCE, and our partners vested in this strategy, have strengthened the APEX region’s ability to grow and retain talent.”

The award-winning NORTHFORCE partnership was developed in 2013 between APEX, The Northspan Group, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, the City of Duluth, Minnesota and the City of Superior, Wisconsin.

APEX has played an instrumental role in workforce development and attraction in the region over the past decade. APEX’s efforts are greatly aided by NORTHFORCE, a dynamic and proactive tool for the APEX region, serving all who are “North by Choice.”

“Spending time at the Competitiveness Conference with key industry leaders and Site Selection Consultants leverages the APEX brand beyond our region, and reinforces our marketing and communication efforts to attract businesses and the corresponding talent to the APEX region,” continued Hanson. 

For more information on NORTHFORCE, contact Ian Vincent, APEX Senior Business Developer, at 218-740-3667.

Category: Organization