GOV. HOEVEN PRESENTS $1.15 MILLION CHECK TO DICKINSON STATE UNIVERSITY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND RURAL REVITALIZATION

Gov. John Hoeven, R-N.D., issued the following press release:

Gov. John Hoeven today presented a $1.15 million check to Dickinson State University for the Center of Excellence for Entrepreneurship and Rural Revitalization. The $1.15 million in Centers of Excellence funding will leverage nearly $3 million in private sector investment for the project.

Joining Hoeven for the presentation were Dickinson State University President Lee Vickers; DSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Revitalization Director Dr. Douglas Woodard; and Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing Chief Executive Officer Don Hedger; Chair of the Centers of Excellence Commission Mark Nisbet; and Board of Higher Education and Centers of Excellence Commission Member Pam Kostelecky.

"This Center will work to help create and attract new businesses and expand existing businesses in rural North Dakota communities," Hoeven said. "The first partnership, with Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing, will allow the company to increase their competitiveness in the marketplace and add between 80 and 120 new jobs."

The mission of the Center of Excellence for Entrepreneurship and Rural Revitalization is to promote economic development through entrepreneurial strategies. The Institute for Technology and Business within the Center will focus on the commercial application of technology to help technology-based businesses start or expand in rural North Dakota communities. The Institute will seek to identify new technology-related opportunities and will provide assistance to help businesses adapt and implement new technologies.

"The funding made available to Dickinson State University through Governor Hoeven's initiative has enabled DSU to create an environment and support system to help those willing to take risks and use their natural energy and ingenuity in developing new and innovative ideas," said DSU president Dr. Lee Vickers. "The Centers of Excellence designation has given us the impetus to launch the Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Revitalization, which will provide invaluable services for businesses and support and promote entrepreneurs throughout the region."

A Center of Excellence is a hub of research and development on the campuses of the North Dakota University System around which related businesses expand and dynamic new businesses cluster. The Governor's initiative provides up to $50 million for Centers of Excellence. The dollars will be leveraged with private and federal matching funds to generate a total investment in new jobs and businesses of more than $150 million.