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NDSU Research and Tech Park celebrates 10-years of the tech incubator.

ND.gov

In 2007 NDSU launched a new venture. A technology incubator was added to the existing Research and Technology Park. One decade in, officials are saying it has surpassed initial expectations. President Dean Bresciani says the accomplishments are the incubator has been impressive in terms of what is being done and what pace it is being done at…

“The accomplishments here, in a short ten-year period, the number of firms that have incubated from the park, the success they’re experiencing, the waiting list of firms that want to get in. Really on every measure I can imagine it’s outstanding.”

Research and Technology Park Executive Director, Chuck Hoge says the original idea of the Research Park was to diversify North Dakota’s economy while creating higher paying jobs that would help retain North Dakota graduates. And Hoge says that’s happening…

“…With the jobs that are in our park and with our graduate companies – 1,339 jobs – a 50% increase since 2010. The average pay is over $62,000 – which is about 20% higher than the average in Cass County. But also what was kind of surprising to me is 37% of the jobs are NDSU graduates and another 15% of the jobs are with another North Dakota institution.”       

As the 10-year anniversary is being marked, Officials say the next logical step is to begin thinking about how to develop a second phase for Research Park and Incubator.