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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