A strategic economic development plan for the state of North Dakota was mandated and funded by the 2001 North Dakota Legislature at the same time legislators created the North Dakota Economic Development Foundation and the North Dakota Department of Commerce. The foundation consists of representatives of private industry. Its purpose is to be a catalyst in creating quality employment opportunities by advising and supporting the governor and Department of Commerce on economic development issues.

Copies of the entire strategic plan are available upon request. Please call 701-328-5300.

NORTH DAKOTA ALUMNI GATHERING PLANNED NOV. 8 IN THE TWIN CITIES

Anyone involved with economic development in North Dakota will tell you Minneapolis-St. Paul is a good market. To capitalize on the number of business people with connections to the state and well positioned North Dakota alumni there, the Department of Commerce, local economic developers, the university system, alumni associations and private businesses will host a North Dakota Alumni Gathering at the St. Paul Hotel on Friday, Nov. 8.

A letter of invitation from Gov. John Hoeven was mailed to more than 1,700 individuals. This list includes about 800 targeted alumni and about 900 targeted business contacts. The event is being planned for 300 guests. Gov. John Hoeven and two prominent North Dakota business executives will address the audience.

A strong Lewis and Clark presence will welcome guests, including re-enactors portraying Sakakawea and members of the expedition, a hands-on Lewis and Clark exhibit and a Lewis and Clark gift store. The Tourism Division is coordinating this effort.

The focus of the event is to establish a positive business image for North Dakota and educate people on the advantages of doing business in the state.

TOURISM DIVISION ANNOUNCES COOPERATIVE MARKETING PLAN

Looking for a way to get the word out about your tourism-related attraction? If so, join forces with the Tourism Division in its cooperative marketing partnership, which is part of the division�s 2003 media plan.

Cooperative advertising allows the state to reinforce its brand message, increase the frequency and reach of the messages, extend the budget and highlight specific attractions across the state.

It will allow convention and visitors bureaus and attractions to be included in publications that they may not have otherwise had the budget to have a presence. The presence of each partner is strengthened by the placement of ads together.

�We�re excited,� said Tourism Division Deputy Director Joanne Olson. �This is the first time we have offered a cooperative marketing program.�

Publications chosen for advertising are Home and Away, American Heritage, Reader�s Digest Midwest Vacation Directory, USA Weekend Travel Service, American Profile Travel Program, Friendly Exchange Magazine, Good Housekeeping and Midwest Living.

In those where the Tourism Division has taken full-page ads, there will be room to add two partners, with Tourism picking up 60 percent of the cost and the partners 20 percent each. In half-page ads, there is room for one partner with Tourism picking up 70 percent of the cost and the partner 30 percent.

The advertisements will appear in the spring when travelers are busy making summer travel arrangements.

Contact Olson for more information at 701-328-3505.

NORTH DAKOTA, EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF U.S. JOIN FORCES TO EXPAND EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES

Gov. John Hoeven and Dan Renberg, a member of the board of directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank), signed a new export finance partnership agreement between the bank and the state during the Governor�s International Trade Conference in September.

�Working together we can help North Dakota businesses develop markets across the globe,� Hoeven said. �This partnership is one of the ways our administration is working to help North Dakota businesses tap into the global market and to help create more and better-paying jobs here at home.�

Under the agreement, the North Dakota Department of Commerce will market Ex-Im Bank�s export financing products to North Dakota businesses and commercial lenders. Ex-Im Bank and the Department of Commerce will also hold exporter and lender seminars throughout the state to inform companies about the financing products available through Ex-Im Bank.

Renberg said the partnership could also lead to a number of North Dakota banks signing up with Ex-Im Bank to become �delegated authority lenders.� Under the delegated authority program, lenders can make working capital loans directly to small- and medium-sized businesses without Ex-Im Bank�s prior approval. �It�s a great way to put the local lending decisions in the hands of local lenders,� Renberg said.

North Dakota experienced a 107 percent increase in its export sales of merchandise between 1993 and 2000. North Dakota was one of only 11 states that more than doubled sales overseas during that time period. According to Small Business Exporters Association and the U.S. Department of Commerce, 70 percent of U.S. exporters have fewer than 20 employees.

For more information call the Department of Commerce at 701-328-5300.

ROUNDTABLE ON HIGHER EDUCATION NAMED INNOVATIONS AWARD WINNER

The North Dakota Roundtable on Higher Education was selected as one of two regional winners of the prestigious Council of State Governments (CSG) Innovations Award at CSG�s Midwestern Legislative Conference in Fargo in August.

The Roundtable on Higher Education is a legislative, state government, private sector and North Dakota University System (NDUS) partnership formed to create a university system for the 21st century. The Roundtable Report identified the NDUS as a key force in the state�s future economic development and demographic growth.

�Receiving an Innovations Award tells us the Roundtable on Higher Education is recognized by legislators throughout the nation as a leading-edge initiative,� said Gov. John Hoeven. �The �three legs� of the roundtable�s strength are its unparalleled private sector commitment, strong state government leadership and our exemplary higher education system.�

In accepting the award, Sen. David Nething, chairman of the Higher Education Committee and the Roundtable on Higher Education, said the roundtable is successful because it is based on public and private sector relationships built upon common goals and mutual trust. He credited his colleagues in the legislature for being solidly behind the work of the roundtable.

�The work of the Roundtable on Higher Education has significantly influenced the State Board of Higher Education and the strategic direction of the University System,� said Chuck Stroup, president of the board. �Receiving an Innovations Award affirms that we are moving in the right direction for the future of our state.�

WHAT THEY�RE SAYING

�Our company has experienced significant advantages due to North Dakota�s friendly regulatory environment and favorable costs for construction and real estate.�