Synergy is defined as, “the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.” In other words, it is only by working together that a group can accomplish their highest goals and become more than even they thought they could be.
The Moorhead Business Association (MBA) was created in 2010 as a means of harnessing synergistic energy in order to make the city as high functioning and progressive as possible. Since its inception, the MBA has become more than just a collection of businesses. Instead, the organization has become the heartbeat of the Moorhead’s burgeoning business scene.
Who is the MBA?
The MBA was established for businesses by businesses. It is made up of business owners that want to help businesses of all types and sizes maximize their potential and become part of that which makes Moorhead great. The MBA is one voice that speaks for many. “We want to be strong advocates on issues that affect existing businesses as well as making the business climate in Moorhead more attractive to new business,” explained MBA President Michael Edenborg. “We want to share news with business people so they are better informed on issues that may affect them.”
What does the MBA do?
The MBA is dedicated to providing a community atmosphere that not only attracts potential businesses but also enhances those businesses already here. It is made up of members of the community that believe in the City of Moorhead and its potential for greatness. Through advocacy, networking, and information, the MBA strives to bring community businesses of all sizes together to foster an atmosphere of mutual growth and success. “The MBA is committed to investing in our community,” Edenborg said.
A diverse community benefits everyone. The MBA understands that and is committed to representing a cross section of Moorhead’s business community. The organization believes that it is only be diversifying and including owners from all areas of the city that they can truly speak for all. As their website states, “Taking a stand for Moorhead businesses is what we stand for.”
The MBA also speaks for business owners on a variety of committees and assemblies. Among them are:
· Economic Development Authority Membership, which promotes and assists industrial and commercial development and redevelopment in the city of Moorhead.
· Small Business Development Center Advisory Committee, designed to provide a vast array of technical assistance to small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs.
· Chamber of Commerce Membership, a bi-state, regional federation of over 2,100 private, public and non-profit member firms representing more than 94,000 people.
· City Council Candidate Forums – The Moorhead City Council consists of eight council members and the mayor. They constitute the legislative body that has the authority to enact local law.
· The Salvation Army Advisory Board, which provides valuable assistance and advice that helps advance and continue operations of The Salvation Army.
· Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, a comprehensive program that connects service members and their families with community support, training, services and resources.
The MBA also believes in helping businesses come together. It provides networking opportunities that are designed to help owners and operators build the type of relationships that allow them to maximize their efforts and remain progressive and innovative. Among the networking opportunities that exist are:
· “Let’s Talk Business” meetings, which are help Wednesday mornings at 7:00 a.m. at the Fryn’ Pan Restaurant in Moorhead. Each week a different speaker from a local or regional business, school, or non-profit shares valuable business strategies or opportunities, and our members also share news and ideas with each other.
· 560 Connect meetings, which are a bit less formal than “Let’s Talk Business,” but still a superb opportunity for networking. 560 Connect meetings are held Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. at a Moorhead restaurant or bar. Locations are different every month.
What Does the Future Hold?
David Hunstad is the executive director of the MBA and the owner of Old Lutheran, a company that specializes in Lutheran event management and identity. According to Hunstad, the MBA is transitioning from an issue-oriented organization to focus on the positive that Moorhead is a forward moving community. “Through programs like the 56560 campaign, we want to focus on positive energy and opportunity,” he said.
Like Hunstad, Anna Hanson believes that Moorhead can become the flagship from which other small cities are measured. For Hanson, the MBA’s president-elect and the account manager at ByteSpeed LLC, it is all about synergy. “The biggest thing I’m most passionate about is advocacy,” she said. “We are much stronger as a group.”
What Are My Membership Options?
Moorhead businesses may join the MBA for a membership rate of $100 – $1000, depending on the needs of the company. By becoming a member, organizations have access to all the MBA has to offer. Hanson would like businesses to know that the MBA is there for them. “We are here and they (businesses) can come to us with their struggles,” she said. “There is a huge group of intelligent people at their fingertips.”
The City of Moorhead continues to evolve and grow into a very special community. Thanks to groups like the MBA, that evolution and growth knows no bounds. As David Hunstad remarked, “It’s a really good time to be in Moorhead.”
More information on the MBA can be obtained at www.moorheadbusinessassociation.org.
