The grant is the first of its kind to be received by North Dakota, and one of five to be awarded nationwide.
"This is really good news in light of the economic downturn we are in at the moment," said Wahpeton Economic Development Director Jane Priebe said. "Having a place to receive assistance in launching a start-up business or expanding an existing business is more important now than it ever was."
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The grant brings to Richland County the strength of two national programs, SBDC and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). It will provide no cost, one-on-one expert business counseling services directly to existing small for-profit businesses. The grant will also help individuals seeking to start businesses in the county.
"This grant will pay for those specialists that can help communities offset the loss of jobs by becoming more entrepreneurial in their thinking and doing," Priebe said.
In May 2007, after learning about Imation's plans to close their manufacturing facility in Wahpeton, 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 among 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 in an official news release from his office. "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.
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