News Releases for August 2008
August 22, 2008
For further information, please Contact the Governor's Office
Secretary Schafer To Speak At Governor's Rural Communities Summit
BISMARCK, ND – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer will join Gov. John Hoeven to address participants at the Governor's Rural Communities Summit Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 7:30 a.m. in Bismarck. Secretary Schafer will talk to participants about the value of rural America and the importance of keeping small towns viable.
"We are pleased to welcome Secretary Schafer back home to participate in this important conference about rural development," said Governor John Hoeven. "We look forward to engaging him in conversations about invigorating rural America and the places here we know he values."
Schafer's appearance is part of the Governor's two-day Rural Community Summit "Accelerate Your Impact on Rural North Dakota," scheduled for Aug. 26-27 at the Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck. The conference is aimed at providing information and best practices to help small communities become more sustainable.
"As governor, I appreciated how our towns and rural communities represent so much of what is great about America," Schafer said. "Now at USDA, I see more fully how our nation's rural resources will play a vital role in opening new frontiers of economic activity and increased opportunity for the 60 million people who call rural America home. I'm very pleased to come home to North Dakota and participate in this conference."
As an incentive to attract participation by local economic developers, staff and board members, conference organizers are offering a Buy One, Get One deal for economic or community development board members and staff. Online registration is available at www.ndcommerce.com.
Jack Schultz, author of "Boomtown USA: The 7 1/2 Keys to Big Success in Small Towns," will provide a keynote address on Tuesday along with Under Secretary for Rural Development Tom Dorr.
The agenda includes:
- Forum on the impact of federal and state policies on rural communities
- National and local best practices,
- Proven approaches to community growth including strategic planning, entrepreneurial development, board and community leadership, and site selection promotion.
- Participants will receive an economic development toolkit featuring best practices for promoting communities.
Sponsors:
- Governor's Office
- North Dakota Department of Commerce
- USDA Rural Development
- Economic Development Association of North Dakota
E-mail comments to the Governor