By Dave Thompson
Bismarck, ND – Supporters of the "Centers of Excellence" program are asking House budget writers to restore the proposed budget for the centers.
The program is designed to adapt research from the state's colleges and universities to business needs. A $20-million line item for the Centers was in the budget for the Office of Management and Budget -- but it was stripped out by the Senate.
North Dakota Commerce Director Shane Goettle says already, there have been success stories from the first round of grants -- and he told members of House Appropriations subcommittees that there can be more.
"I think this innovation infrastructure we're building with the Centers of Excellence program is as important to our future as water and sewer has been in the past," said Goettle. "The ideal vision for the program is to take the expertise that exists at the colleges and universities and grow businesses that need that expertise."
Goettle says the colleges -- and the businesses -- want the program to remain flexible -- to deal with the changing needs of business.
If the two subcommittees make a recommendation, the full Appropriations Committee would have to agree -- then the bill would be considered by the full House.