DSU partners with Stark Development

Two former partners are teaming up again.

Dickinson State University and its Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Revitalization are working with Stark Development Corporation for at least the third time.

This time their mission is to create sustainable population growth and assist in people attraction efforts.

"This certainly is a well-thought out approach to a number of challenges we have," SDC Director Gaylon Baker said.

DSU President Dr. Lee Vickers said the idea came through observing what has been happening locally, with people expressing concern about a lack of employees.

"Our goal is to help attract the people we need to fill the positions that are presently vacant," Vickers said. "(The initiative) will help us generate additional jobs, so this will be an ongoing endeavor."

For president of the SDC board of directors Joe Frenzel, the program helps encourage the entrepreneurial spirit.

"We think that the university is going to help foster some success amongst the entrepreneurial sprit in the region," Frenzel said. "I think Dickinson will benefit from that."

The partnership is for a two-year pilot program. The total expense is more than $320,000 per year, not including assistance from additional CERR programs.

Vickers said two years should be an adequate time period to determine whether this program is the best approach for growing the population.

The SDC contributed $250,000 for two years, and other sources include the Centers of Excellence funding, the Bush Foundation grant, an alumnus Jerome Strom donation and DSU.

Frenzel said the university has put a lot of work into the program, and the SDC is just one of the multiple sources that make it possible.

"This is well-thought through and well-managed," Frenzel said. "It wasn't considered very risky money."

Vickers said since the program is part of CERR, that entity is ultimately responsible for the coordination of efforts.

Baker said now is the right time to get started on this sort of project.

"We have seen the ramp up of southwestern North Dakota's economy," Baker said.

Baker said the economy seems to be in its early stages of growth because of the diversification in so many fields. Baker said the growth in energy and alternative energy, as well as diversity in manufacturing are contributing to a strong economy that shows no signs of slowing down.

"Projections are that jobs will continue to grow at a measured but steadied pace over the next several years," Baker said.

He said the program is not looking to create a "boom" of relocations but rather strong incremental gains.

"We are going to stay involved because so much is at stake, not just cash but outcomes," Baker said. "Outcomes need to be ones that not only bring people but improve the quality of life that people come and stay."

To meet its goals, CERR is looking to hire three critical positions. Though the positions have not yet been filled, both Baker and Vickers hope to do so as soon as possible.

"We plan to be very aggressive so I am confident we'll be able to fill these positions," Vickers said.

Because of the nature of the jobs, Baker said it may be possible to recruit people back to the state, who would be passionate about the region because they have roots here.

The three positions are a regional marketing specialist, a human resources and leadership development specialist and a Web data manager.

"(The Web site manager) will be responsible for helping many businesses update their Web sites to a higher standard," Baker said.

Baker said part of the marketing specialist's job is to help tell the story of southwestern North Dakota.

Frenzel said the SDC has worked with CERR to help develop the e-scholars program and set up a North Dakota Trade Office in Dickinson. He said this is another opportunity to have an impact with the university's programs.

"This certainly is a big leap in the amount of resources dedicated to the Center for Entrepreneurship," Baker said.