Greater Fergus Falls

Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) is a non-profit economic development organization that serves Fergus Falls and a 25-mile service area. Under the direction of a diverse 16-person Board of Directors, GFF provides a range of economic development services to grow our local and regional economy. 

GFF's four primary goals are business development and attraction, marketing and promotion, partnerships, and organizational sustainability. GFF prioritizes business development and attraction of new business to our community through a comprehensive list of available sites, technical assistance, workforce development efforts, and streamlining the development process (eliminating barriers). Secondly, GFF streamlines messaging to proactively promote Fergus Falls to businesses, realtors, developers, and investors. Thirdly, GFF leverages partnerships to maximize impact; and lastly, GFF works to build processes, procedures, and relationships to ensure organizational sustainability. 

In 2020, GFF staff met with over 200 existing businesses with several interested in expanding. In that same time frame, GFF assisted over 20 new start-ups in opening their doors. These businesses ranged from a pop-up boutique candy shop to a medical spa, the likes of which our community has never had. In March 2020 we launched our Entrepreneur Initiative and have since provided 1:1 consulting services to over 40 new and early-stage entrepreneurs, further affirming a growing appetite for entrepreneurship in this community. 

At GFF, no two days are the same! In 2020, the global pandemic turned our business community upside down, and we quickly pivoted to meet the need of our businesses and property owners. Excluding COVID-19 related inquiries, we processed a total of 409 individual inquires from businesses, developers, investors, and realtors. This nearly quadrupled the number of inquiries processed in 2019.  

In 2021, our Entrepreneur Initiative continues to grow. This no-cost, one-on-one, confidential business coaching program has provided start-up coaching and technical assistance to existing business owners to over 60 area entrepreneurs. This program has helped launch over 20 new businesses, and expand numerous existing businesses resulting in the creation of over 100 jobs!

Learn more about us and our successes visit greaterfergusfalls.com