Consulting Services
AT NORTHSPAN, WE ENGAGE AND ELEVATE SO COMMUNITIES CAN THRIVE.
Northspan provides economic development consulting to form connections, build capacity and access capital. As contracted and full-service consultants, we offer a deep and diverse portfolio of services. Through process management, conversation facilitation, and expert navigation of complex challenges, we work to turn ideas into actions and accomplishments. This side of our work is funded entirely through private contracts with those who utilize our services, and, unlike our programming side, is not geographically limited.
connections
capacity
capital
Programming Powered by Northspan
DAWN WORKS TO ENGAGE AND ELEVATE SO COMMUNITIES CAN THRIVE.
DAWN provides resources to form connections, build capacity and access capital in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. Northspan is Driving Access to Wealth & Networks through a suite of services and initiatives aimed at bolstering economic and community resilience. DAWN is fueled through grant funding and support from public and private partners.
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.dawnmn.org
In 2023, Northspan launched the DAWN program (Driving Access to Wealth and Networks), dedicated to building an entrepreneurial ecosystem infrastructure for a ten-county region in Northeast and East Central Minnesota. DAWN seeks to formalize a supportive system with partners in economic development and education to support entrepreneurs from all backgrounds through all stages of their journeys.
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.