All locations will be closed on Monday, May 29, in observance of Memorial Day.

Fueling Our Future logo with future italicized and arrow pointing onward

Joining the Chamber of Commerce to Fuel Our Economic Future

Communities are an amazing thing. They give us a place to call home, they inspire us to support our neighbors – they bring people together. That’s why we donated $300,000 to Fueling Our Future, an economic development initiative driven largely by the Chamber of Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo.

We’ve spent 100 years looking to the future. So, naturally, Fueling Our Future aligns perfectly with our mission, which is to provide a welcoming atmosphere and commitment to making the lives of our customers and team members better by investing in them and their communities, For a Better Way of Life.®

In addition to the local Chamber of Commerce, Fueling Our Future is also driven by the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation. And at Gate City Bank, our annual increments of $50,000 and logistical support continue to improve quality of life in the area.

“At Gate City Bank, we truly understand that teamwork fuels the economic prosperity of our local communities,” says Kevin Hanson, President & CEO. “Business and community leaders involved with Fueling Our Future are in a unique position to support progress and create a better way of life together.”

Ultimately, the goals of Fueling Our Future are to establish the region as an attractive business location, alleviate long-term workforce shortages and support career education and awareness. Programming falls into three key areas:

  • People

    Strengthening the workforce through retention, recruitment and talent development.

  • Place

    Enhancing quality of life and place-based assets of the region to benefit businesses, citizens and visitors.

  • Prosperity

    Attracting new businesses to the area while retaining and supporting existing ones.

Emerging Digital Academy is merely one of many examples of how Fueling Our Future is already supporting the region. It’s North Dakota’s only immersive coding bootcamp, presented as a 20-week course. Fueling Our Future is a proud financial supporter of the course, and aims to meet the growing workforce demand for these critical skills.

Workforce Exposure Initiatives is another success story behind Fueling Our Future. This nine-week virtual series is helping businesses develop or enhance their internship programs, ensuring the success of both interns and businesses.

Additionally, Fueling Our Future funded the development of a six-part Building Inclusive and Equitable Workplaces virtual educational series that attracted more than 400 participants in 2020. The resource can still be accessed on the Chamber’s website.

Fueling Our Future has also helped create a certified shovel-ready-sites program to aid in the attraction and expansion of businesses in our region. The initial work phase has already begun. It has also invested in a workforce initiative, Ignite FMWF, which is designed to be a comprehensive, streamlined and systematic approach to addressing our regional workforce and talent needs.

“Thanks to Gate City Bank and other community partners, we’re improving the lives of people in our communities, and the communities themselves, in incredible ways.”
Shannon Full professional headshot
Shannon Full
Chamber President & CEO

Learn About Other Ways We’re Fueling Our Communities:

Gate City Bank leaders and West Fargo firefighters pose with new protective helmets

West Fargo Fire Department

Did you know that the West Fargo Fire Department was the first department in North Dakota to utilize jet-pilot-style helmets? We helped make it happen! Learn more about how we donated 57 new state-of-the-art helmets to help keep these firefighters protected on the job.

smiling children enjoy life after being positively impacted by HOPE, Inc and Gate City

HOPE, Inc.

Learn more about how we donated $10,000 so that an annual nonprofit fashion show (which has become incredibly popular in the local community) could continue virtually amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gate City Bank staff and community members gather near Great Plains Food Bank truck

Great Plains Food Bank Delivery Truck

At Gate City Bank, we believe no one should have to suffer from hunger. Learn more about how we surprised Great Plains Food Bank with a brand-new delivery truck in 2016, made possible with a $250,000 pledge over 10 years.

community members look on during a low-income housing grand opening in Fargo ND

Affordable Housing in Fargo-Moorhead

The Fargo-Moorhead area has experienced rapid population growth, which has led to increased housing demand and an affordable housing shortage for low-income families. Learn more about how we’ve partnered with the Cass Clay Community Land Trust to establish more affordable housing for those seeking their home sweet home.