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.