Lake Region State College Earns Workforce Enhancement Grant

Posted on 10/16/2012

The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced a $288,600 workforce enhancement grant for Lake Region State College. The grant will support efforts to develop an educational training program for the agriculture industry. Partner companies are providing matching resources for the project.

The new project will provide skill-based training of employees of implement dealers, agribusinesses and agriculture producers on the use of precision agriculture. Precision agriculture is the practice of using remote sensing, soil sampling and information management tools to improve production. The training will be conducted at the Dakota Precision Ag Center's training facility as well as at sites requested by the agribusiness and producers.

"The workforce enhancement grants help increase the capacity of our higher education institutions like Lake Region State College to provide a consistent pipeline of well-trained workers educated right here in North Dakota," Department of Commerce Commissioner Al Anderson said. "Agriculture continues to be the #1 sector of our state's economy. This initiative will assist the state's agriculture industry to move towards an even higher level of efficiency and use of precision agriculture technologies."

Workforce enhancement grants enable two-year colleges to apply for funds to help create or enhance training programs that address workforce needs of North Dakota's private-sector employers. Projects require a dollar-for-dollar match of all state money with private funds.

Grant funding may be used for curriculum development, equipment, recruiting participants, and training and certifying instructors. Funds may not be used to supplant funding for current operations.

The Workforce Enhancement Council reviews all proposals and provides funding recommendations to the commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Commerce. The council consists of the private-sector membership of the North Dakota Workforce Development Council, the state director of the Department of Career & Technical Education, and the division director of the Workforce Development Division of the North Dakota Department of Commerce, who serves as the chair.






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Dalrymple Recognizes North Dakota's Business Women

Posted on 10/16/2012

Gov. Jack Dalrymple today joined public officials and industry leaders in addressing the state's working women and women business owners and recognizing them for the significant contributions they are making to North Dakota's growing economy.

The Governor addressed them during the North Dakota Women's Business Summit which is being held this week in Bismarck. The summit is sponsored by the Center for Technology and Business, which operates the North Dakota Women's Business Center in partnership with the North Dakota Department of Commerce and the Small Business Administration.

"These are historic times for our state, and North Dakota's professional women are on the forefront, helping to fuel our state's impressive growth," Dalrymple said. "North Dakota's working women and women business owners are making significant contributions to our growing economy, creating jobs, expanding business opportunities, and bringing leadership skills and innovative ideas to a variety of industries."

To celebrate professional women and their contributions to our state, Dalrymple proclaimed October 22-26 Business Women's Week in North Dakota.

Dalrymple pointed out that in North Dakota, nearly 25 percent of businesses are owned by women, according to the 2007 Survey of Business Owners, which is the most recent data available. He also cited a 2012 study conducted by American Express in which North Dakota was ranked 5th in the nation for growth in the number of women-owned businesses and in the revenues generated by those businesses. The study indicates that between 1997 and 2012, the number of North Dakota women-owned businesses grew by 48 percent, the revenues they generated grew by 125 percent, and employment opportunities grew by 41 percent.

It is estimated there are more than 8.3 million women-owned businesses in the U.S., generating nearly $1.3 trillion in revenues and employing more than 7 million people. Between 1997 and 2012, the number of women-owned businesses increased by 54 percent, a rate 1

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Dalrymple Celebrates Groundbreaking for Novaspect's Mandan Business Center

Posted on 10/16/2012

Gov. Jack Dalrymple today helped break ground on a Mandan-based business center for Novaspect Holdings Inc., a company that supplies and services valves and other mechanical components for the state's oil industry and other industries.

The 20,000-square-foot building, under construction in the Mandan Industrial Park, will support Novaspect's North Dakota business expansion. Novaspect officials plan to have 12 employees operating from the Bismarck-Mandan area by the end of the year and about 30 employees within two years. The company's Mandan business center is expected to be completed in June 2013.

"This new business facility represents more jobs and opportunities for North Dakota," Gov. Jack Dalrymple said. "It is also a reflection of our positive business climate and our strong economy. I applaud Novaspect's commitment to North Dakota and to helping meet the needs of our energy industry."

Novaspect sells and services valves, instrumentation and computer systems that control flow rates, pressure and other industrial processes for a diverse customer base. The company's Mandan business center will serve as a sales center and house the components that is sells and services.

Joining Dalrymple for the groundbreaking were Sen. John Hoeven, Congressman Rick Berg, Mandan Mayor Arlyn Van Beek, Mike Franz, Novaspect's chief financial officer, and other local officials.





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North Dakota oil patch: Electricity demand to triple, study says

Posted on 10/24/2012

Electrical demand in North Dakota's energy-producing counties is expected to nearly triple over the next 20 years, according to a new study.

The North Dakota Industrial Commission provided $100,000 for the study to estimate growth in electricity demand in the state's booming energy industry. Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. and Basin Electric Power Cooperative also provided funds for the $284,000 study.

The state Industrial Commission said in a statement that the study provides valuable information that will be used in addressing the future power demand and infrastructure needs in 22 western North Dakota counties.

The commission, made up of the governor, agriculture commissioner and attorney general, oversees the state's oil and gas regulation.

Over the past six years, North Dakota has risen from the nation's ninth-leading oil producer to its second, trailing only Texas, because of advanced horizontal drilling techniques that opened up the rich Bakken shale and Three Forks formations.

The study projects North Dakota will have between 30,000 and 40,000 oil wells by 2032, up from about 7,700 now. Every well requires the same amount of electricity as three farmsteads, Dale Haugen, general manager of the Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative, told The Forum newspaper.

The study also estimates a 52 percent population increase in the region in 20 years.

"It's the type of problem that while it's daunting -- it's huge -- it's something that we're up for, it's something we're accustomed to doing because we've been providing electricity in that part of the world for over 80 years," David Goodin, MDU's president and CEO, said during a Tuesday, Oct. 23, news conference unveiling the study.
The need for more electricity is expected to be sharpest in two northwestern counties. The study says Williams County's demand could rise by 232 percent in the next two decades, and McKenzie County's by 339 percent.

Mountrail-Williams Electric has brought in as many as 300 workers to help build up the power infrastructure in the region, Haugen said. Basin Electric is building power plants near Williston and Watford City.





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Rolfstad Named Economic Developer of the Year

Posted on 11/1/2012

Gov. Jack Dalrymple today named Tom Rolfstad, executive director for Williston Economic Development, the 2012 Governor's Choice for Economic Developer of the Year. Dalrymple presented Rolfstad with the award during a luncheon held in conjunction with the Economic Development Association of North Dakota's (EDND) fall conference in Bismarck.

Before presenting the award, the Governor addressed the economic developers in attendance and recognized them for their hard work and leadership at the local level to advance economic development efforts in large and small communities across the state. He highlighted the state's economic success and emphasized the importance of ongoing economic development and further diversification.

"North Dakota's economic developers are on the front lines of our state's growth and success, identifying opportunities for their communities and creating jobs and an enhanced quality of life for their people," Dalrymple said. "Tom exemplifies that vision and innovation, and has done an outstanding job growing and diversifying Williston's local economy and responding to the region's fast-paced growth."

Joining Dalrymple for the award presentation were EDND President John Phillips and Economic Development and Finance Division Director Paul Lucy. The award is sponsored by EDND and the North Dakota Department of Commerce.

"Tom continues to look for other areas outside of oil production and extraction to grow economic wealth and diversify in the Williston area," Lucy said. "He has played a key role in solving growth issues in his community and the northwest region."

The North Dakota Department of Commerce works to improve the quality of life for North Dakota citizens by leading efforts to attract, retain and expand wealth. Commerce serves businesses and communities statewide through committed people and partners who offer valuable programs and dynamic services.

EDND works to increase economic opportunities for residents of the state by supporting primary sector growth, professionalism among economic development practitioners, and cooperation among development organizations.





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LuvND.com Highlights 123 Ways to Celebrate North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. - The North Dakota Department of Commerce today launched, LuvND.com, an interactive site celebrating North Dakota's 123rd birthday. The State turned 123 on November 2.

The site features 123 ways to explore the state, one for each year of statehood. The activities featured act as a virtual bucket list for those looking for North Dakota experiences.

"It's a unique way for people to celebrate our statehood and discover something new about North Dakota," said Sandy McMerty, director of Commerce's North Dakota Ambassadors program. "You can't help but look through the list and find a few things you've done and a lot more you'd like to do."
A sampling of the activities listed includes:
Have a grinder at the Red Pepper in Grand Forks - named one of Esquire's best places for late-night food.Climb North Dakota's highest point - White Butte (Elevation 3506') near Amidon.Visit North Dakota's version of Stone Henge - Mystical Horizons near Bottineau.Participate in a grape stomp at Red Trail Vineyard in Buffalo.

The site is the idea of Commerce's Ambassador Program which was launched in 2001 to encourage people living in or out of state to spread news about the great things happening in North Dakota through their personal and professional networks. The program's existing rolls include more than 8,000 people worldwide. To learn more about the Ambassador's program visit: www.ExperienceND.com.




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Dalrymple Congratulates John Deere Valley City on Expansion

Posted on 11/2/2012

Gov. Jack Dalrymple today applauded Deere & Company's plans to expand its Valley City manufacturing plant and workforce. John Deere officials have announced plans for a $20-million expansion of the company's Valley City plant which manufactures crop seeders and tillage equipment. Company officials said the 100,000-square foot expansion will support additional employment within the next five years.

"This business expansion means more jobs and opportunities for North Dakota," Dalrymple said. "Deere & Company is a global business with many options in selecting its manufacturing locations. The fact that they chose to expand their Valley City plant is a credit to our quality workforce and North Dakota's positive business climate."

In meetings with Deere & Company officials, Dalrymple encouraged company officials to support its growing production demand by expanding in North Dakota. In August, Dalrymple and state Commerce Commissioner Al Anderson also met with the Valley City plant's manager, David Bradford, other John Deere employees and toured the Valley City plant.

In October, Deere & Company completed an expansion of Fargo-based John Deere Electronic Solutions (JDES). The Fargo expansion will strengthen John Deere's global business and create as many as 60 new jobs. JDES has completed construction of a 90,000 square-foot building that provides additional office space for its growing engineering staff, test labs and enable the company to expand its power electronics capabilities. JDES employs more than 1,000 people in Fargo.

Deere & Company is among several manufacturers expanding in North Dakota. Other manufacturing expansions include: Steffes Corp. in Grand Forks, ComDel Innovation in Wahpeton, Harris Machine in Oakes, Bobcat in Bismarck and Summers Manufacturing in Devils Lake.





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