ABOUT THE CANDIDATE
Hi, I'm Jorge
Throughout my life and career in Bemidji, I have remained convinced that we have some of the smartest, most creative, and hardest working people that any community could hope for.
What our community lacks is opportunities. It has been an honor to give back to our community as Mayor to help create those opportunities and build a Bemidji that works for all of us.
ROOTED IN THE AREA
My Bemidji story began in 1976 when my parents, Doug and Carmen Prince, relocated our family to the Bemidji area from San Diego, CA. My father had grown up in Bemidji and had just wrapped up a ten year tour in the U.S Navy. He wanted to try something different and be closer to family. So he decided to try his hand at the family business: moved our family, purchased a semi, and began a life-long career of driving truck, which he does to this day. My mother started as a stay-at-home mom to me and my two brothers and sister. Later, she became a Head Start teacher before retiring after 20 years of service.
Growing up in Bemidji, I attended Solway Elementary, Bemidji Middle School, Heartland Christian Academy, and Bemidji High School, receiving my diploma in 1990. In 1988, I enrolled full time at Bemidji State University while still a high school student. While at BSU, I was awarded a scholarship from 3M and inducted into their two-year leadership program. This provided me an opportunity to learn firsthand from some of the greatest innovators in Minnesota.
In 1994, I graduated from BSU with a degree in Accounting. During my final semester in school, 3M had expressed a great deal of interest in bringing me back to the department that I had interned in as a permanent employee. At about the same time, I was introduced to Alan Korpi who was in the process of building the very first Valvoline Instant Oil Change in Bemidji. He shared with me that he had great plans to grow his business from a single store to multiple locations throughout the state.
After much soul searching, I became the second employee that his company (Minntex Investment Inc.) ever hired. Alan was true to his word, and I spent the next 13 years building and growing businesses as I was promoted from store manager to area manager, and spent the last 7 years of my tenure in charge of all operations as our company grew from a single store to 13 different profit centers throughout Minnesota.
In 1999, I married my best friend, Amanda Prince. We just recently celebrated 25 years of marriage, and I still can't believe how blessed I have been. In 2005, we adopted our two sons, Moises and Miguel, whom we met while volunteering at an orphanage in Juarez, Mexico. Both of our sons are hearing impaired and use sign language as a primary form of communication. We have been so blessed to be their parents as they show us daily through their own lives, how to stay positive in all things, how to overcome adversity, and the power that love and relationships have in all our lives.
AN EXPERIENCED LEADER
In 2007, I left Minntex Investment and became the Executive Director for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Bemidji State University and held that position for three years. Throughout that period, my team and I provided thousands of consulting hours to businesses and entrepreneurs located within a 12-county area in Northwest Minnesota. This occurring at the height of the Great Recession as we worked diligently to save businesses and jobs in some of the smallest communities in the state.
It was an honor to be able to help so many people, and I still take deep satisfaction as I drive past businesses in Bemidji that we either helped start, grow, or stay in business. In leading a public agency, I partnered with organizations such as the SBA, DEED, Northwest Minnesota Foundation, cities, counties, elected officials and a host of economic development agencies while writing countless grant applications and building relationships throughout the non-profit world.
While at the SBDC, I met Jason and Roger LaValley and assisted them in turning their invention, the DECKHAND, into a fully functioning business. In 2010, I joined them as a part-owner and Chief Financial Officer. Since then, we have grown our business from 5 people and a 1200 square feet shop to a thriving business that now employs over 35 people, occupies 50,000 square feet of space, and sells its products all over the world. Additionally, we have started and acquired additional businesses including LVI Supply, Evolve Creative, IdeaWorks, J&J Properties, EMPOWER, and our newest division, Greenedge.
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As we have grown, we have been deliberate in investing in both our team and our community. This has included starting a program for our community’s fifth graders that introduces them to manufacturing technology careers and entrepreneurship (Manufacture Your Future), which includes school visits and a hands-on experience at our facility. We also contributed $100,000 in cash and services to the IDEA Competition to assist the next wave of entrepreneurs in our community in taking the next step forward in developing their business ideas.
Personally, I have been involved with many charities, non-profits, and civic organizations during my 45 years in Bemidji. For a decade I served as a board member and chairman of the Occupational Development Center (ODC), which is a regional organization dedicated to finding employment opportunities for people with diverse abilities and vocational needs. I also previously served as a Commissioner for the Bemidji Housing and Rehabilitation Association (HRA) which is funded through HUD to assist in providing housing for lower income individuals. Additionally, I have been a church treasurer for over 25 years. Like many, I have worked hard to give back to a community that has richly blessed me and my family.
AN ENGAGED & COMMITTED MAYOR
When I first entered office, our city government was at odds with many parts of our community. From citizens who openly questioned whether their voice mattered; to entire communities who felt unheard; to members of our business and nonprofit communities believing that city government was not invested in their success; to our tribal and township neighbors being overlooked—I knew we had much work to do.
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Over the past four years, I have worked to be actively engaged and present across our entire community to bridge those gaps. Whether one-on-one with individual people, holding listening sessions with our business and nonprofit communities, or historic first-time council-to-council meetings with our neighboring tribal nations: relationship building has been at the core of my decision making. I have also been willing to challenge the status quo, make difficult decisions to move our city forward—including changes in the management of our city and event center. Through it all, I have made repairing and strengthening relationships between our city government and our community the highest of priorities.
When I look to the future, I know it will take all of us working together to build the community we want for ourselves and our children. Progress is built on a foundation of mutual trust and positive relationships, for it is partnership and collaboration between people, organizations and government that drives us forward. We have both challenges and opportunities in front of us. From affordable housing shortages; to crime, poverty, and property tax concerns — the decisions made in the coming years will define the opportunities for everyone who calls Bemidji home.
I am an optimist and believe that if we lean into our relationships, trust each other, and work together we can overcome these challenges and more!