Gov. Hoeven Attends National Manufacturing Week
Posted on March 27, 2002

BISMARCK, ND-Gov. John Hoeven attended the National Manufacturing Week (NMW) trade show and visited the state�s Department of Commerce exhibit booth held last week in Chicago, IL. The governor also hosted a private reception at the Adler Planetarium for NMW attendees and exhibitors.

North Dakota Sen. Kep Solberg, Rugby; Rep. Mike Timm, Minot; and Rep. Bob Skarphol, Tioga; along with Department of Commerce staff and local economic developers from across the state welcomed 50 manufacturers representing 13 companies to the reception, held Wednesday, March 20.

�Manufacturing is one of our targeted industries to grow the North Dakota economy,� Hoeven said. �We believe that through effective marketing efforts like this reception we will begin to increase awareness of the competitive business advantages North Dakota delivers.�

Four North Dakota businesses joined the governor and provided unique �action stations� to engage guests. Attendees were able to shoot pool with cues created by Samsara Cues in Rugby; guide remote-controlled Bobcats through an obstacle course (actual size models made in Gwinner); get comfy in a Daimler-Chrysler GEM car manufactured in Fargo; or dabble with cutting-edge technology designed by Imation in Wahpeton.

Four members of the North Dakota Economic Development Foundation also attended. The foundation, established in conjunction with the Department of Commerce, is a private-sector group that provides strategic direction and counsel to the Commerce commissioner.

The cost of the event was $30,630 with $19,750 of that amount being raised through private donations.

2002 is the first time North Dakota has had a booth at NMW or hosted a special event during the show; both were planned as part of the Department of Commerce�s efforts to increase awareness of doing business in the state and were made possible by a $1.0 million appropriation during the 2001 legislative session.

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