ABOUT


Developer Station
Developer Station was created as a free membership website for rural economic developers in North Dakota. It was launched in July of 2012 to provide a statewide, online collaboration platform. It was updated in 2015, without membership requirements, to continue to serve as a networking and information hub.
The goal is for economic and community developers, particularly those in rural communities or those new to the job, to make new connections, learn about programs and resources and to easily find models that work in North Dakota.
Advisory Committee
Currently we are recruiting people from the developer community who would like to have a say in what goes on at Developer Station. Please contact us if you would like to be included. Nothing too arduous, a group email to connect on ideas, topics and content, one or more people who would like to help admin on Facebook or perhaps help moderate an ‘ideas’ topic in the forum from time to time to increase the participation of others. Contact us
History
Developer Station was initiated and funded by the Rural Economic Area Partnership Investment Board (REAP). The Great Plains Center for Community Research and Service (GPCCRS) at Minot State University, along with the Cavalier County Job Development Authority (CCJDA) and KAT Communications, implemented the original project. Developer Station is now a collaboration of REAP and Seed Stock Media, LLC.
Developer Station started with a simple vision to impact economic and community developers across the state. The idea began with the Rural Economic Area Partnership Investment Board (REAP) in the summer of 2011.
REAP formed a steering committee, contracted SJB Consulting and interviewed economic developers and staff from agencies across the state. The compiled information revealed that communication, collaboration and regional focus were important to those interviewed. There was also an interest in understanding more efficient ways to hold trainings and meetings and to share information. Participants talked about putting best practices and mentorship opportunities online where anyone in the state with an internet connection could connect with other developers.
Initial Participants
There are many who helped move the Developer Station idea to a reality by sharing their time and insight. Although some of the people originally involved have moved on and are not in the same organizations or positions, we would still like to give credit to the following people and their organizations for participating in the initial work.
Marvin | Erdmann | Chairman | Bismarck Chapter, Service Corp of Retired Volunteers |
Diane | Olson | Director | Bottineau Economic Development Corporation |
Carol | Goodman | Executive Director | Cavalier County Jobs Development Authority |
Dr. Lana | Rakow | Director | Center for Community Engagement, UND |
Lynette | Flage | Project Director, Horizons | Center for Community Vitality, NDSU Extension Service |
Kathleen | Tweeten | Director | Center for Community Vitality, NDSU Extension Service |
Bruce | Govig | Director & Entrepreneur Coach | Center for Innovation |
Deb | Eslinger | Executive Director | Center for Technology and Business |
Cindy | Sanford | State Outreach Specialist | Center for Technology and Business |
Paul | Griffin | Deputy Director | Consensus Council, Inc. |
Becky | Meidinger | Executive Director | Cooperstown/Griggs Economic Dev. Corp. |
Paul | Govig | Director | Division of Community Services, North Dakota Department of Commerce |
Paul | Lucy | Director | Economic Development & Finance Division, North Dakota Department of Commerce |
Gaylon | Baker | President | Economic Development Association of North Dakota |
Carissa | Richter | Administrator | Economic Development Association of North Dakota |
Patricia | Bowen | Executive Director | Ellendale Jobs Development Authority |
Paul D. | Markel, PhD | Co-Director | Great Plains Center for Community Research & Service, Minot State University |
Pat | Downs | Cooperative Development Specialist | North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives |
JoAnn | Rodenbiker | Economic Development Consultant | Northern Plains Electric Cooperative |
Don | Frye | Economic Dev Consultant | Otter Tail Power Company |
Jim | Belquist | Executive Director | REAP Investment Board |
Art | Wanner | Board Member | REAP Investment Board |
Brenda | Dissette Foster | Executive Director | Rugby Job Development Authority |
Shirley | Brentrup | Principal | SJB Consulting |
Patti | Perry | Executive Director | Slope County Job Development Authority |
Bon | Wikenheiser | State Director | Small Business Development Center |
Melanie | Bauer Dukart | Area Specialist | USDA Rural Development Dickinson |
Bill | Davis | Deputy State Director | USDA Rural Development State Office |
Josh | Kramer | Community Project Specialist | USDA Rural Development State Office |
Dale | Van Eckhout | Business Program Director | USDA Rural Development State Office |