Services
Northspan delivers high quality, professional business, community, and organizational development consulting services to clients in the Upper Midwest.
Business
Northspan’s business development services nest within a network of public and private partners to provide critical gap services. We work with companies of all sizes through growth and transition to grow the economy in the communities we serve.
- Structure and facilitate financing for projects
- Provide expertise in packaging loan and grant applications
- Partner with communities and financial institutions to provide loan program support services
- Partner with community banks to provide Small Business Administration (SBA) 7a Loan Guaranty program services
- Provide accredited business valuation and succession planning
Community
Northspan is a recognized leader in community development, and works to identify, develop, and fund projects that strengthen community tax bases, attract and retain businesses, and enhance the quality of life for those who live and work there.
- Coordinate and facilitate critical conversations
- Provide strategic support and gap capacity for communities and regional partnerships.
- Devise strategies for diversification, change, and sustainable growth.
- Critically examine, research, and analyze opportunities and challenges
- Provide policy recommendations and process for change
Organizational
Northspan improves the health and vitality of boards, councils, committees, groups, and collaborations through organizational development that builds capacity, improves decision-making, and enhances effectiveness.
- Coordinate and facilitate strategic planning processes
- Provide technical assistance for change, growth management, and development
- Provide meeting management and planning services
- Facilitate economic adjustment, crisis response, and readiness planning initiatives
- Conduct project feasibility studies and economic impact analyses
Programs Powered by Northspan
Northspan powers four programs that work to foster economic development and the growth of human capital in their respective service areas. Northspan programs are built in partnership, cultivate connections between communities and businesses, and aim toward holistic economic development strategies.
www.northlandconnection.com
Northland Connection is a regional program providing economic development data and analysis to recruit, expand, and retain businesses across northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. This work is done in collaboration with our private and public funding partners, commercial real estate, education, government, and regional and statewide economic development organizations.
www.northforce.org
NORTHFORCE is a regional program providing community-based talent retainment and attraction by connecting career-minded individuals with professional advancement opportunities and supporting our regional employers’ current and future workforce needs in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.
www.mnoppco.com
The Minnesota Opportunity Collaborative is a statewide partnership that seeks to inspire investment in designated Opportunity Zones. It brings together developers, investors, and community development entities to host a statewide project and site directory, hold educational events, and share best practices on a regular basis.
UMFO promotes Northeast Minnesota as a location for contract filming of movies, documentaries, commercials, and related video media productions. It is the single point of contact for coordinated professional responses to prospect needs and expectations.
Where We Work
While our primary service area is Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin, we work with clients and partners across the Upper Midwest. We are not geographically bound; we build connections that bridge across boundaries and assist communities.
Testimonials
Northspan’s expertise and experience in business development translated well for us needing to create a sustainable financial plan for a higher education program. Bob and Karl complement each other well in how they approach their work from a knowledge base grounded both in financial forecasting and understanding multiple aspects of our region.
Bill Maki
President
Northeast Higher Education District
Northspan has been very effective in bringing GPS to the next level. We are now more productive and seeing more results. It is great to rely on someone who is capable to get the work done.
Nancy Hoffman
Chisago County HRA-EDA
Past President, GPS 45:93
Northspan provides excellent support to financial institutions. They provide timely assistance and find creative solutions to help new and growing businesses get the financing they need. They are a vital partner in making many deals become reality.
Chad Curran
Vice President of Commercial Banking
National Bank of Commerce
Northspan has created the visions and provided organizational support for regional initiatives that are key to our economic and community development success. With its facilitation and leadership, these initiatives went from being raw ideas to significant accomplishments.
Nancy Norr
Director, Regional Development
Minnesota Power
Northspan did an excellent job with strategic planning. We kept a scorecard and it was spot on with the results. The execution of the plan was outstanding.
Tom Saehr
President & CEO
Minnesota Business Finance Corporation
Northspan has a wide array of capabilities from convening, facilitation, to lending, to property, to grant writing skills. It’s a strong partner both publicly and privately.