--- title: About the EDA description: meet the board of directors and executive director for the East Grand Forks EDA with their businesses --- [Skip to content](https://egfeda.org/about#main-content) [![EGF EDA Logo\_Full Color-1](https://egfeda.org/hs-fs/hubfs/EGF%20EDA%20Logo_Full%20Color-1.png?width=405&height=200&name=EGF%20EDA%20Logo_Full%20Color-1.png "EGF EDA Logo_Full Color-1")](https://egfeda.org?hsLang=en) - Small Business - [Startups](https://egfeda.org/entrepreneur) - [Funding](https://egfeda.org/funding) - [Rules & Regulations](https://egfeda.org/rulesregs) - [Border Cities Program](https://egfeda.org/bordercities) - [Resources & Partners](https://egfeda.org/resources-partners) - [Business Directory](https://egfeda.org/businessdirectory) - [Sites](https://egfeda.org/properties) - [Site Selectors](https://info.egfeda.org/siteselectors) - [Industrial Park](https://egfeda.org/industrialpark) - [City Special Assessments](https://www.eastgrandforks.us/421/Special-Assessments) - [Utilities](https://egfeda.org/utilities) - [Incubator Spots](https://egfeda.org/incubator) - Taxes - [Local 1% Sales Tax](https://www.eastgrandforks.us/544/Parks-Recreation-Facility-Improvement-Pl) - [State Sales Tax Map](https://taxmaps.state.mn.us/salestax/) - [County Property Tax LookUp](https://polk.minnesotaassessors.com/) - [Quality of Life](https://egfeda.org/qol) - [Cooler Greater Grand Forks](https://grandforksiscooler.com/better-opportunities/careers/) - [Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals](https://www.ggfyp.com) - [Visit Greater Grand Forks](https://www.visitgrandforks.com/) - [Forks Flicker Albums](https://www.flickr.com/photos/simplygrand/albums/with/72157630842334408) - [Chamber of Commerce](https://www.gochamber.org) - [Data](https://egfeda.org/planningdata) - [Industries & Employers](https://egfeda.org/economy) - [Traffic Maps](https://egfeda.org/trafficmaps) - [Metropolitan Statistical Area](https://www.theforksmpo.org/) - [2050 Land Use Map](https://www.eastgrandforks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8417/2050-Land-Use-Plan?bidId=) - Incentives - [State & Local](https://egfeda.org/incentives) - [Workforce Training](https://egfeda.org/workforceincentives) - [Housing](https://egfeda.org/housing) - Workforce - [CareerForce](https://careerforce.mn.gov/region/northwest) - [Wave Academy](https://www.egf.k12.mn.us/o/senior-high-school/page/wave-academy) - [NCTC's Workforce Development Solutions](https://www.northlandcollege.edu/academics/workforce-development-solutions/) - [Childcare](https://egfeda.org/rccip) - [Polk County Home Daycare Licensing](https://www.co.polk.mn.us/269/Child-Care-Licensing) - [East Grand Forks Child & Daycare Providers](https://licensinglookup.dhs.state.mn.us/Results.aspx?a=False&cdtrt=False&crfcc=False&crfmhc=False&e=0&dsfpv=False&hcbsbss=False&crfss=False&sils62=False&irts=False&qrtp61=False&crfsc=False&con=All&afcfads=False&ppy40=False&rsfsls=False&crsrc=False&ppy62=False&ppy61=False&dsfeds=False&sn=All&irtsrcs=False&co=All&cdtcwct=False&hcbsihss=False&crssls=False&hcbsics=False&locked=False&adcrem29=False&sils40=False&ci=East%20Grand%20Forks&hcbsds=False&crfgrs=False&crfts=False&rsfrs=false&hcbsrss=False&cdtsamht=False&hcbsses=False&hcbsiss=False&crfrt=False&crscr=False&crfprtf=False&cdtidat=False&stcse40=False&qrtp40=False&crsaost=False&cdtat=False&rcs40=False&dsfess=False&crfcdc=False&rcs=False&stcse62=False&stcse61=False&qrtp62=False&crfmhlock=False&dsfees=False&tn=All&z=&mhc=False&crfd=False&cdtnrt=False&sils61=False&s=All&afcaost=False&t=All&dsfdth=False&n=&l=) - [First Children's Finance](https://www.firstchildrensfinance.org/) - EDA - [Redevelopment Opportunity](https://info.egfeda.org/simplot) - [Other Opps!](https://info.egfeda.org/upcoming-rfp) - [About the EDA](https://egfeda.org/about) - [218.773.8939](tel:+1218-773-8939) # About the EDA ## Economic Development Authority Formed in 1968, the "Development Growth of East Grand Forks Inc" had shareholders, board of directors, and worked closely with the chamber of commerce. Their mission was to further the economic development of East Grand Forks and vicinity; to aid , assist, and promote the growth, expansion, and development of business concerns in said area; to encourage and assist in the location of new business and industry, rehabilitate and assist existing business firms and industry in said area; to accomplish these purposes by making plant other facilities available to all such business concerns through lease or other means ad thereby to contribute to the economic well-being of the area as measured by increased employment, payroll, business volume, and corresponding factors rather than monetary profits to the shareholders.  The Economic Development Authority of East Grand Forks formalized in October 1986. Though the mission statement has evolved over time the intention, purpose, and will remains the same. Our mission today: The mission of the Economic Development Authority is to maintain and improve the economic vitality of East Grand Forks by doing the following by: • retaining & growing local businesses • creating & supporting investment & growth opportunities for commercial activities • creating & supporting opportunities for residential growth, including workforce housing • working to develop a workforce capable of meeting current & future needs of local employers. Our core work areas are:  - Local business development - New business development - Connect, convene, communicate - Land & site development ## Board of Directors Our board is comprised of seven members with two city councilors, and five board members. The executive committee has a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. Board terms are six years by appointment of the Mayor and terms can be renewed. The executive positions are two-year term lengths. Typically, the City Attorney, Finance Director, City Administrator, and EDA Specialist attend the meetings to support the economic efforts. ![Josh Grinde Headshot](https://egfeda.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Josh%20Grinde%20Headshot.png?width=293&height=293&name=Josh%20Grinde%20Headshot.png "Josh Grinde Headshot") Josh Grinde- Board President ![Dan black headshot](https://egfeda.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Dan%20black%20headshot.png?width=293&height=293&name=Dan%20black%20headshot.png "Dan black headshot") Daniel Black- Vice President ![Justin headshot](https://egfeda.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Justin%20headshot.png?width=297&height=293&name=Justin%20headshot.png "Justin headshot") Justin Hecht- Treasurer ![Penny headshot-1](https://egfeda.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Penny%20headshot-1.png?width=339&height=293&name=Penny%20headshot-1.png "Penny headshot-1") Penny Stai- Secretary ![Ben Horkens b](https://egfeda.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Ben%20Horkens%20b.jpg?width=327&height=234&name=Ben%20Horkens%20b.jpg "Ben Horkens b") Ben Horken- Member ![Dale headshot](https://egfeda.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Dale%20headshot.png?width=293&height=234&name=Dale%20headshot.png "Dale headshot") Dale Helms- City Councilor ![Ben Porkryzwinkski headshot](https://egfeda.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Ben%20Porkryzwinkski%20headshot.jpg?width=329&height=234&name=Ben%20Porkryzwinkski%20headshot.jpg "Ben Porkryzwinkski headshot") Ben Pokrzywinski- City Councilor ## Loan Committee The Loan Committee vets applications for incentives and financing from businesses. Applications are due the second Friday of the month. The committee meets between then and the forth Wednesday to approve applications or provide feedback. After this, applications receive their final approval process through the regular EDA Board meeting on the forth Wednesday of the month.    Committee members include: Justin Hecht, Ben Pokrzywinski, Ben Horken, Karla Anderson (City Finance Director), and Ron Galstad (City Attorney).  --- ### Tune into our monthly meetings on the 4th Wednesday of the month at noon to 1pm. [Facebook Live](https://www.facebook.com/EGFCity) [Meeting Minutes & Agendas](https://www.eastgrandforks.gov/agendacenter) Monthly meetings are skipped in June, July, and November due to travel & holiday seasons. [Strategic Plan](https://egfeda.org/hubfs/East%20Grand%20Forks%20Economic%20Development%20Plan%20March%2024%20(003).2.pdf?hsLang=en) [EDA Projects](https://blog.egfeda.org/edadevelopments?hsLang=en) [2025 Annual Report](https://egfeda.org/hubfs/EDA%202025%20Annual%20Report%20(Bound%20Documents).pdf?hsLang=en) 2026 Annual Report --- ![maggie headshot (1)-1](https://egfeda.org/hs-fs/hubfs/maggie%20headshot%20(1)-1.png?width=396&height=396&name=maggie%20headshot%20(1)-1.png "maggie headshot (1)-1") # EDA Director ## Maggie Brockling [mailto:mbrockling@eastgrandforks.gov](mailto:mbrockling@eastgrandforks.gov) ![brenda headshot](https://egfeda.org/hs-fs/hubfs/brenda%20headshot.png?width=396&height=396&name=brenda%20headshot.png "brenda headshot") # EDA Specialist ## Brenda Ault [mailto:bault@eastgrandforks.gov](mailto:bault@eastgrandforks.gov) [![EGF EDA Logo\_Full Color-1](https://egfeda.org/hs-fs/hubfs/EGF%20EDA%20Logo_Full%20Color-1.png?width=250&height=123&name=EGF%20EDA%20Logo_Full%20Color-1.png "EGF EDA Logo_Full Color-1")](https://www.eastgrandforks.gov/451/Economic-Development) *Our mission is to maintain and improve the economic vitality of East Grand Forks by:* - *retaining & growing local businesses* - *creating & supporting investment & growth opportunities for commercial activities* - *creating & supporting opportunities for residential growth, including workforce housing* - *working to develop a workforce capable of meeting current & future needs of local employers.* This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. Search - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ### Quick Access - [Home](https://egfeda.org) - [EDA Developments](https://blog.egfeda.org/edadevelopments) - [Childcare](https://egfeda.org/rccip) - [Knowledge Base](https://research.egfeda.org/) - [City of East Grand Forks](https://www.eastgrandforks.gov) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/egfeda) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/egfeda) Connect with us! 📞218.773.8939 Copyright © 2026 East Grand Forks EDA. All rights reserved. - Terms and Services - Privacy Policy