The Ekalaka Eagle - Your Community Builder

The Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation has had a busy month of April between hiring a new Community Development Specialist and opening a new office in Baker.

Beth Epley, the Executive Director for EPEDC, had been working out of her home while the previous Community Development Specialist worked at an office in Terry. The office in Terry closed when the Community Development Specialist resigned at the end of 2018. "When I was offered the position and we were both going to be working out of Baker it made more sense for us to have an office," explained Ashley Bonamie, who recently moved to Baker and took over the Community Development Specialist position at EPEDC.

Ashley grew up in Gaylord, Mich., before moving to Dickinson, N.D. for a job as a Driver's License Examiner for the State of North Dakota. Ashley spent several years working full time while also attending Capella University out of Minneapolis, Minn., taking online courses. "In September of 2018 I graduated with my bachelor's in business administration with a specialization in Human Resources," she noted.

After hearing the news that she was being hired by the EPEDC, Ashley packed her bags and headed to Baker with her kids, five-year-old Isabelle and two-year-old Jackson, at the end of March. "It's been a little chaotic with all of the transition of moving and transferring my daughter's school and everything, but it's been good," Ashley smiled.

Ashley is excited to put her degree to use and get settled into her new position and her new life in Baker. "It's a transition for me. I've never lived anywhere that doesn't have a Walmart," she giggled.