ND Regional Workforce Impact Grant (RWIP)

A North Dakota state grant program that provides funding to regional workforce entities to design and implement innovative solutions to address regional workforce challenges.

Purpose: To support regional and community solutions that help businesses find workers and help workers connect to jobs and communities through sustainable, innovative approaches.

Geographic Scope: North Dakota (regional distribution)

Focus Areas:

• Innovative workforce solutions
• Regional workforce challenges
• Business-worker connection initiatives
• Talent attraction campaigns
• Community economic development through workforce initiatives

Key Features:

• Awarded in three tranches, with each new tranche awarded upon meeting agreed-upon milestones
• Supports broad-impact solutions across communities or regions
• Encourages coordination among regional entities, educational institutions, and marketing professionals
• Covers costs of local solutions with regional/community impact

Recent Example: Greater Fargo Moorhead EDC received RWIP funding for a large-scale alumni recruitment and talent attraction marketing campaign focused on:

• Targeting higher education alumni and high school alumni
• Multi-pronged marketing plan (marketing materials, videos, website updates, HubSpot workflows, advertising)
• Data-driven targeting and automated marketing funnel
• Key performance indicators: job applications, relocations, website traffic, email engagement

Application Process (General RWIP)

Grant applications are competitive and project-based. GFMEDC used RWIP funding for the Alumni Recruitment Talent Attraction Campaign, which involved:

1. Project Design: Develop innovative workforce solution addressing regional challenges
2. RFP Process: If project components contract out work (e.g., marketing, video production, web development), issue RFP to qualified agencies
3. Milestone-Based Funding: Submit progress reports to secure subsequent tranches of funding
4. Partner Coordination: Coordinate with higher education institutions, community partners, and hired vendors
5. Performance Tracking: Develop KPIs (key performance indicators) and track results
6. Reporting: Provide high-level reports demonstrating impact and KPI achievement

For current RWIP opportunities and application requirements: Contact North Dakota Department of Commerce or GFMEDC at (701) 364-1900