News Releases for April 2005
April 27, 2005
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Hoeven Signs Centers Of Excellence, NDSU Extension Service Bills In Fargo
FARGO, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today held a news conference and ceremonial bill signing of Senate Bills 2032, regarding Centers of Excellence, and 2020, regarding funding for the NDSU Extension Service.
Joining Hoeven for the signing were North Dakota State University President Joseph Chapman, Mayor Bruce Furness, House Majority Leader Rick Berg, Sen. Tony Grindberg and Rep. Al Carlson. Also in attendance was North Dakota University System Vice Chancellor Eddie Dunn.
In SB2032, the Legislature defines Centers of Excellence and describes criteria for eligibility. In a separate bill, the Legislature committed $50 million with $20 million on the front end for the Governor’s Centers of Excellence initiative on the state’s college campuses to expand the economy and create higher paying jobs and more opportunities for North Dakota citizens, especially the youth.
The plan combines education and economic development to create higher paying jobs for North Dakota citizens. When leveraged with federal and private funding, the amount available could be as much as $150 million. Centers of Excellence make the North Dakota University System and all of North Dakota’s campuses dynamic partners in building the state’s economy.
“We already see a cluster of businesses forming around North Dakota State University, with companies like Phoenix International and Alien Technology taking the lead,” Hoeven said. “This expansion of Centers of Excellence will open exciting new opportunities for NDSU, as well as the Fargo’s business community.”
SB2020 provides enhanced funding for NDSU’s Agriculture Research and Extension Service by $1.7 million, including new initiatives for barley and beef. A separate bill authorizes bonding for up to $4.5 million for Phase I of the new greenhouse facilities at NDSU, which are needed for research work on all North Dakota crops.
“The Agriculture Extension Service is vital to creating new opportunities in both production agriculture and value-added agriculture for our state,” Hoeven said.
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