News Releases for May 2006
May 23, 2006
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Hoeven Presents $1 Million In Centers Of Excellence Funds To VCSU For Institute For Customized Business Solutions
VALLEY CITY, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today presented a $1 million check to Valley City State University (VCSU) for its Institute for Customized Business Solutions. The funding will be leveraged with $5 million in private sector investments to develop a public-private partnership that will create new software consulting jobs in North Dakota.
The Institute will partner with private sector businesses to develop customized curriculum and internship opportunities, and to provide a reliable source of qualified candidates for employment tailored to meet specific business needs. The Institute is expected to produce 40 new private sector jobs by the end of June 2007 and lead to 200 new jobs by 2010.
Private sector partners in the venture include Eagle Creek Software, GEM Car and MeritCare. Most recently, Eide Bailly Technology Consulting (EBTC) has entered into a strategic alliance with Valley City State University under which VCSU will offer curriculum that has been customized to meet their specifications.
“Centers of Excellence are about creating not just jobs, but careers for North Dakotans,” Hoeven said. “VSCU is using technology, one of our five targeted industries, to ensure that we have the kind of skilled and talented workforce necessary for the future.”
Joining Hoeven were VCSU President Dr. Ellen. Chaffee; Dr. Terry Corwin, Interim Co-Director, Institute for Customized Business Solutions; Rick Ross, Interim Co-Director, Institute for Customized Business Solutions; Bill Ament, VP for Business Affairs; Jim Wigtil, VP Academic Affairs; Doug Anderson, Director of Communications; and instructor Sue Pfeifer.
Also on hand for the event were area legislators; Centers of Excellence Commission Chairman Mark Nisbet; Valley City Mayor Riley Rogers; County Commissioners Harlan Opdahl and Cindy Schwehr; representatives of the Valley Development Group; University System Chancellor Robert Potts; and representatives of Eagle Creek Software; Eide Bailly Technology Consulting; and the state Higher Education Roundtable.
Dr. Ellen Chaffee, President of VCSU, said, “We are very pleased that VCSU was selected to be part of Governor Hoeven’s I initiative. Serving as an engine for economic growth is a fundamental part of our mission at VCSU, and we are pleased to have launched the Institute for Customized Business Solutions to create great jobs in North Dakota.”
The Institute for Customized Business Solutions was funded in the second round of I grants in 2006. To date, 11 projects have received $20 million in grants through the program. These projects have already leveraged more than $70 million in additional funding.
I are hubs 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 I. 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.
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