News Releases for October 2008
October 24, 2008
For further information, please Contact the Governor's Office
Hoeven Announces $100,000 Grant for Wahpeton Area
BISMARCK, ND - Governor John Hoeven today announced that the state has received a $100,000 federal grant from the U.S. Office of Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) to support business development efforts in Wahpeton and Richland County. This is the first grant of its kind to be received by North Dakota, and one of five such grants to be awarded nationwide.
The grant brings to Richland County the strength of two national programs, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). The grant will provide no cost, one-on-one expert business counseling services directly to existing small for-profit businesses, and to individuals seeking to start businesses in Richland County. It will also provide access to experts and information through training events via webinars and video conferences based upon needs identified by the businesses in Richland County.
The $100,000 grant was awarded to the University of North Dakota's Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The grant is designed to provide technical assistance to new and existing businesses in Richland County to counteract the loss of jobs in the Wahpeton area resulting from the closure of the Imation plant and the fire which destroyed the Industrial Plating Company.
In May 2007, after learning about Imation's plans to close their data storage manufacturing facility in Wahpeton, Governor Hoeven appointed a task force of state and local officials to address three key areas: providing employee assistance to displaced workers, recruiting new businesses to the area, and serving as a liaison between the various organizations impacted by the circumstances.
"We have been working very hard with local leaders to support new businesses and expansions that provide good job opportunities for people here who have been displaced," Hoeven said. "This community has some dedicated business leaders who are working hard not only to replace lost jobs but to diversify this economy and build for an even brighter future."
New businesses and expansions announced in the area are expected to employ approximately 406 individuals in the Wahpeton area by the end of 2009, an increase of 305 positions since May 2007.
For more information contact the North Dakota SBDC Lead Center at 701-328-5375 or visit www.ndsbdc.org or contact the Dakota MEP office toll free at 866-297-8250 or visit www.dakotamep.com.
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