Growth Initiative Fund (GIF)

The Growth Initiative Fund is a loan program administered by the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation that supports primary-sector business expansions in Cass County, North Dakota.

Geographic Scope: Cass County, North Dakota (primarily Fargo, West Fargo, Mapleton area)

Focus Areas:

• Primary sector companies
• Manufacturing
• Engineering services
• Contract fabrication
• Distribution
• Composite manufacturing
• Value-added agriculture

Key Features:

• Loans provided in conjunction with Bank of North Dakota's PACE/Flex PACE program, which provides lowered interest rates
• Loan approvals provide access to additional state interest-buydown grant funds (approximately $2-3 in state grants per $1 in GIF loans)
• Recent loan approvals have resulted in capital investments of $8-28+ million, job creation of 20-60+ positions, and utilization of 25,000-116,500+ square feet of space

Recent Performance (as of 2026):

• Managing 89-92 active loans with total loan balance of $6.94-$7.56 million
• Over lifetime: funded 303 loans totaling $20.5+ million
• Enabled approximately $35.5 million in matching state grant funds
• Supported approximately $700 million in total capital investments by companies

Eligibility:

• Primary-sector businesses located in Cass County
• Businesses seeking to expand operations
• Must be registered in North Dakota

Application Process

Detailed application procedures not provided in available materials. Contact GFMEDC directly at (701) 364-1900 or visit gfmedc.com for complete application requirements and process steps.