We’re thrilled to share exciting progress on two major initiatives designed to strengthen our workforce and promote Devils Lake as a great place to live, work, and thrive. Below is a snapshot of how the RWIP Retention Grant and the newly awarded RWIP Attraction Grant are helping us make a real impact on our community.

RWIP Retention Grant Highlights

1. DLHS Career Fair Success

  • Hosted on October 3, 2024, with 39 booths featuring local businesses, educational institutions, and healthcare providers.
  • Approximately 160 parents and students attended, boosting parent-teacher conference attendance to a 27-year high.
  • Participants appreciated networking with other businesses and sharing resources.
  • This annual event will continue to foster community engagement and career exploration.

2. Individual Student Meetings & Job Shadow Program

  • One-on-one student meetings are 100% complete for seniors and will soon include juniors.
  • The Job Shadow Program launched on September 30 with 85 students participating; businesses are enthusiastic about shaping the future workforce.
  • Students have until May 9, 2025, to complete their shadows.

3. Local Business Videos

  • A professional videographer is creating 20 business highlight reels; 11 have been filmed, 3 are scheduled, and 6 are remaining.
  • Drone footage will be captured in better weather, ensuring top-quality visuals.
  • Videos will be used as recruiting tools by businesses and featured on the Chamber website.

4. Business Meeting Series

  • Four quarterly meetings (October, January, March, June) focus on marketing, workplace culture, youth engagement, and professional development.
  • Each session features Devils Lake High School speakers, offering insights on student engagement and workforce retention.

5. DLHS Summer Job Fair

  • Coming March 26, 2025, during school hours in the DLHS gymnasium.
  • Aiming for 80 booths, with Lake Region State College students also invited.
  • Promotion is ongoing through Chamber events, newsletters, and social media.

6. Newsletter Enhancement & LRSC Collaboration

  • Now on a bi-weekly schedule, the DLCC newsletter includes retention-focused content and resources connecting businesses with students.
  • Collaboration with LRSC involves job shadow opportunities, marketing local careers on campus, and outreach sessions in the Student Union.

Additional Initiatives

  • Career Builder/20/20 Program: One student has signed with a local plumbing company, with more to come.
  • T4 Project: A statewide educational summit for grades 6–12 on January 22–23 at Lake Region State College and Camp Grafton, focusing on workforce skills and industry networking.

 


 

RWIP Attraction Grant: New Opportunities

We recently received a $240,000 RWIP Attraction Grant and have hit the ground running:

1. Odney Advertising Partnership

  • Developing a targeted branding and media strategy to attract talent to Devils Lake.
  • Channels include online ads, video, connected TV, email marketing, social media, billboards, and print ads.
  • Creative work kicks off in late January, with media placement planned for April through July.

2. Video Productions

  • Rawfish Media: Creating a four-part video series showcasing life in Devils Lake, aligned with our tourism branding.
  • Jason Mitchell Outdoors: Producing a seven-part series highlighting individuals and families who’ve moved here, sharing what they love about our community.

3. Website Enhancements

  • Upgrades to the Chamber’s relocation pages: interactive features on education, housing, cost of living, and employment opportunities.
  • Launching the new Ice Breakers/Navigators Program to welcome newcomers and connect them with community members.

4. Expanded Visitor (Inspiration) Guide

  • Added pages and new content that integrate seamlessly with future marketing materials and campaigns.

5. Tying into “Find the Good Life”

  • Our work complements the statewide talent attraction campaign, broadening Devils Lake’s reach and showcasing our unique quality of life.

 


 

Looking Ahead

Between the RWIP Retention and Attraction Grants, we’ve secured $490,000 to address workforce challenges across our region. From robust collaborations with Devils Lake High School and local businesses to community-focused marketing campaigns, these initiatives are already igniting fresh energy and engagement. We’re excited about the road ahead and look forward to continuing to strengthen Devils Lake’s workforce—together.

 

If you have questions or want to get more involved, please reach out to the Chamber office. Your support and participation are what make these programs a success!