News Releases for October 2003
October 21, 2003
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Governor Calls On Higher Education Roundtable To Sustain Economic Development Role And Collaboration Efforts
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. Hoeven today said the Higher Education Roundtable is a catalyst for economic growth statewide and the university system is a major player in economic development.
"The Higher Education Roundtable laid the groundwork for our Centers of Excellence and other programs that combine education with economic development to create career opportunities and higher paying jobs in North Dakota," Hoeven said. "We must continue to accelerate our collaboration and strategic focus for successful state growth in targeted industries and to effectively leverage and commercialize research and technology development in the state."
During his address to the Higher Education Roundtable, Hoeven cited California's Silicon Valley, North Carolina's Research Triangle Park, and the Massachusetts 128 Corridor as examples of prosperous regions that have successfully teamed with their university, economic developers and the private sector to leverage all available sources of support for research and technology development.
"It is important that we all work together to increase our economic development opportunities and leverage our resources at all levels," Hoeven said. "The governor's office, the state legislature, the congressional delegation, the university system, economic developers and the private sector all need to work cooperatively to sustain our strategic focus and collaboration efforts. The Higher Education Roundtable exemplifies the best engine to drive our efforts in leveraging and commercializing our research and technology development projects in the state."
According to Hoeven, additional funding dedicated to North Dakota's Centers of Excellence, more venture capital, continued support for EPSCoR, tax credits for research and development and other incentives will help strengthen and build research and technology oriented sectors and industry clusters throughout the state.
Hoeven said the Governor's Office is also working on a coordinated statewide internship program to help link young people with jobs and career opportunities.
"We have added James Burgum to the governor's staff to help coordinate our youth initiative programs," said Hoeven. "We want to build a statewide internship program working with the NDUS, Job Service, Vocational Education, Department of Commerce and private sector businesses. The internship program will help link our students to job and career opportunities in North Dakota."
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