Area economic developers announce partnership
Posted on May 31, 2002

WILLISTON, ND � Six local economic development corporations and the North Dakota Department of Commerce today announced a partnership to market the region for business expansion or relocation through the Ag and IT Open events.

The local developers include Chris Brosteun, Mountrail County Job Development Authority (JDA), Williston; Tressy Heinle, Tioga Economic Development Corporation, Tioga; Dave Olson, Divide County JDA, Crosby; Tom Rolfstad, Williston Area Development Foundation, Williston; Mark Sovig, Tri County Economic Development, Williston; and Gene Veeder, McKenzie County JDA, Watford City.

�This partnership will help move two targeted industries and our state forward,� said Gov. John Hoeven. �Technology and value-added agriculture form the pulse of our economy. The advances we are making in these industries give North Dakota and our business developers a competitive advantage in the global marketplace.� Gov. Hoeven sent a letter of congratulations to each of the local economic developers.

Tom Rolfstad, spokesperson for the local developers, agrees with the governor. �We use the popularity of the Links of North Dakota Golf Course to attract business leaders in agriculture and technology to the state. Once here, we educate them on the benefits of locating their business in North Dakota.�

Linda Butts, director of the Economic Development and Finance Division of the Department of Commerce (DOC), made a formal announcement of a $30,000 grant which the DOC approved for the IT and Ag Open events. The grant is part of the state�s Partners In Marketing program which has $175,000 allocated to support local economic development efforts to market communities and regions across the state for business expansion or relocation.

�The regional approach these six organizations are taking is exactly what we hope to see statewide,� Butts said. �We are pleased to support this partnership as it increases the awareness of the business opportunities that exist in northwestern North Dakota.�

As part of the campaign, the local developers identified measures for their success, including 390 guests who attend the two events and 80 of those being prime business contacts.

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Contact: Tom Rolfstad, Williston Area Development Foundation, 701-577-8110; Linda Butts, North Dakota Department of Commerce, 701-328-5342