Wahpeton Daily News - Economic Development Hoeven's Top Priority

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Wahpeton Daily News - Economic Development Hoeven's Top Priority

by Erin Hevern

Posted on 10/22/2008

Wahpeton Daily News

Editor's note: This is the first article in a two part series about Gov. John Hoeven, R-ND, and his campaign for re-election for governor in the state of North Dakota.

Gov. John Hoeven, R-ND, said Tuesday if he is re-elected governor of North Dakota his first priority would be to advance economic development.

"I always start with economic development. I ran for governor because we need to do aggressive economic development," Hoeven said.

To ensure that the economy continues to push forward in North Dakota, Hoeven and his administration will focus on recruitment, training and education. One of the ways Hoeven has enhanced economic development is through the Centers of Excellence program, an initiative that ties the state's universities to the private sector in order to create higher-paying jobs and new business opportunities for North Dakotans.

The initiative not only helps the state create new, better paying jobs, but also links young people with the business sector, Hoeven said.

Centers of Excellence allows students to work with North Dakota companies while in school via internships, which may give them incentive to continue to work in the state after college graduation.

In the last five years, Hoeven said North Dakota has gained more than 7,000 people because of Centers of Excellence and the jobs it's helping to create. Under Hoeven's leadership, the state has expanded its economy, adding 30,000 new jobs.

In conjunction with Centers of Excellence, Hoeven has developed a workforce development program with high schools and technical schools to create more internships.

Operation Intern helps to fund internships in public and private sectors.

To further market the state of North Dakota, Hoeven also has developed a Talent Initiative involving training and actual recruitment. Hoeven said staff from the North Dakota Department of Commerce was recently in Grand Rapids, Mich., recruiting people to enter the state workforce. The initiative is done in conjunction with a number of economic developers throughout North Dakota.

A comprehensive energy plan developed by Hoeven is also designed to further advance the North Dakota economy. North Dakota, the sixth largest energy producing state in the nation, has the potential to produce half a billion gallons of ethanol and by refining and adding additional natural gas pipe lines could power $1.9 million homes. Hoeven plans to continue advancing the state's traditional energy resources, like lignite coal and oil while promoting renewable energy opportunities such wind, ethanol and biodiesel. With progress, state biodiesel plants could annually be producing 100 billion gallons per year, Hoeven said.

"Across the board, energy is an important area for us, traditional and renewable sources," Hoeven said.

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