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A national site selector recently said, "I've never seen a state come on as aggressively and get the attention of the national site selectors as quickly as North Dakota has. North Dakota is definitely one of the states I now consider for my clients." To contact our business development team, call Mike Strotheide, VP of Business Development, at 328-5322 or [email protected]. It's programs like this that support our goal of improving the quality of life for all the people.
Local Developers Benefit from Grants
Eight cities and nine counties have been approved for $93,500 through the 2003-2005 Partners in Marketing program. The grant program is available from the Economic Development & Finance Division of the North Dakota Department of Commerce. The projects approved thus far include the following:
- Carrington ($4,500) - collateral materials
- Cooperstown ($5,000) - trade mission
- Devils Lake Region Partnership ($35,000) - trade missions, advertising and regional event
- Grand Forks ($20,000) - collateral materials, advertising and trade mission
- Southwest Region Developers ($9,000) - regional event
- West Fargo ($5,000) - collateral materials
- Williston ($15,000) - regional event
A total of $175,000 is available through June 30, 2005, to recognized economic development organizations to market their area for business relocation or expansion. The funds are approved on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact Tracy Finneman at [email protected] or 701-328-5352.
EDND Summer Conference is June 13-15
The Economic Development Association of North Dakota (EDND) will hold its annual summer conference June 13-15, 2004, at the Elks Lodge in Dickinson. Agenda topics include the energy industry in North Dakota, the 2005 legislative session, business roundtables, and a presentation by Lockwood Greene on how companies make site selection decisions and evaluate communities. As a part of the Lockwood Greene presentation, communities have the opportunity prior to the conference to submit a proposal to Lockwood Greene for evaluation. These communities will receive a written review of their proposal and will meet with Lockwood Greene professionals one-to-one at the conference. Conference attendees will also tour the new West River Community Center.
Attendees will have numerous opportunities to network with their peers at social events including golf, a steak fry and a trip to the Medora Musical. Mark your calendars for June 13-15 in Dickinson, and watch for details and conference registration forms in the near future.
Ambassadors Have Their Own Web Site
The new ambassador's web site - www.luvnd.com - is live! This is a "home" for our 500+ ambassadors; a place to stay in contact with other ambassadors and learn the latest good news about North Dakota. Ambassadors can make their own business cards, participate in forums and submit business leads online. Check it out at www.luvnd.com. We welcome your suggestions to make the site even more useful. Linda Butts, director of the DOC's Division of Economic Development & Finance and the Ambassador's Program, met with North Dakota Ambassadors in Portland and Chicago in February; she will hold a training session for Ambassadors in Los Angeles in April; and meet with Denver Ambassadors in May.
ND MEP Ranks #1 Again
The North Dakota Manufacturing Extension Partnership (ND MEP) claimed the #1 spot for the fourth quarter straight in delivery of Bottom-Line Client Impact Ratio. Since October 2002, the North Dakota center has held the top ranking among 65 MEP centers nationwide. In addition, the ND MEP also ranked #1 for Survey Response Rate and #2 for Investment Leverage Ratio during the fourth quarter 2003. The ND MEP has had a 100 percent response rate since January 2003. For more information on ND MEP, contact Sheila Link at 701-328-7259, [email protected] or visit www.dakotamep.com.
ND Trade Delegation Secures Commitments
In March, Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple and 18 other members of a trade delegation to Taiwan and Japan succeeded in opening new markets and securing contract commitments with high-level businesses. Two-thirds of the companies on the trade mission secured contract commitments. "Based on discussions with embassy officials and business leaders, Japan has never been more open to business relationships than it is now," Dalrymple said. "Export barriers are coming down and deregulation is happening at a faster pace than ever before. That economic environment creates viable opportunities for North Dakota businesses." Dave Morken, sales manager with Unity Seed in Casselton, sold 1,000 metric tons of soybeans to Japan, in addition to the one container of soybeans sold to Taiwan. Gary Price, president of Cal-Dak Cabinets in Minot, signed a three-year contract with a Japanese distributor to supply formaldehyde-free kitchen cabinets.
EDA to Host Conference June 8-10
The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the Council on Competitiveness will co-sponsor the annual national economic development conference June 8-10, 2004, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. The conference will focus on the application of innovation-based economic development strategies as the best way for America's communities and regions to compete more effectively in the global economy. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans will deliver the opening keynote address at the conference and will outline the administration's vision for sustained local and regional economic development. Information and an online registration site for this event are available at www.edanationaconference.com.
North Dakota in the News
Since January 2003, the North Dakota Department of Commerce has concentrated on securing positive national media coverage for North Dakota and its business climate. Just 15 months later, we have worked to place 23 stories in top-tier media and industry or trade publications for a total advertising impact of more than $1.8 million! One North Dakota Ambassador replied with the following note after reading the Feb. 24 USA Today story: "We know it's cold in North Dakota; we just didn't know all the other good things about the state."