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I love the title of this blog – Entrepreneurs Advancing … it sounds like the troops are closing in on something.
What? Probably a great idea made reality by the Innovate North Dakota program. Innovate ND is North Dakota’s statewide economic development initiative designed to help entrepreneurs turn business ideas into functional businesses.
Innovate ND recently announced it has narrowed its 2011 field from 58 to 23 teams, with the top 20 teams advancing to the final round (and the potential for $10,000 to start their business) in April. The range of teams that have participate in Innovate ND is extensive. There have been competitors with ideas from high-tech electronics to beauty products.
To date, nearly 700 participants and 350 teams have enrolled in the Innovate ND competition since 2007. Approximately 100 new businesses are operational or in the development stage as a result of the program.
And that brings us to the second reason I love this blog title … Advancing North Dakota. Entrepreneurs really are the backbone of what North Dakota was built on and will continue to advance our state into the future. What would we have done if our ancestors had looked at North Dakota and said “it’s flat” and kept on going. Thank goodness for their entrepreneurial spirit and the call of adventure that’s bread into all of us.
Learn more about the Innovate ND competitors advancing and while you are at it, think about entering your great idea in next year’s Innovate ND competition.
Are you a person that needs to be in the North Dakota know? I need to be in-the-know about anything and everything 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Knowing what’s going on in my fabulous state is no exception!
Where do I go for great, reliable North Dakota news? I get it from the North Dakota Matters e-newsletter! Not only do I get to create and send out the e-newsletter each month, but as Miss North Dakota USA 2011 I need that information about the great things North Dakota is doing. When I am representing North Dakota while visiting other states, I many tidbits from the North Dakota Matters news I receive to brag, I mean talk, about.
Interesting things like the 12 Reasons to Live, Work and Play in North Dakota provide great talking points about our state. The North Dakota Matters newsletters give me all that information, and then some! To get your monthly dose of North Dakota news, sign-up to receive the North Dakota Matters e-newsletter and check out archived copies of North Dakota Matters.
Soon, you’ll be getting your all news from North Dakota Matters, just like me. Enjoy!
Editor’s Note: Our guest blogger this month is none-other than Commerce’s own Brandi Schoenberg, the reigning Miss North Dakota USA 2011.
This just in: Punxsutawney Phil doesn’t see shadow. Spring is coming!
Punxsy Phil says spring is coming!
Isn’t it amazing how each year – on Ground Hogs Day – we take a brief moment to care about the weather forecasting skills of a giant ground rodent. The ground hog has been a national tradition for years and let’s face it, his special day of weather forecasting is a nice diversion mid-winter to get us looking towards spring. This year Punxsy Phil says spring will come early and winter is on its way out, simply because he didn’t see his shadow.
Sitting here in North Dakota on what really, truly is a beautiful morning (with the exception of it being a wee bit cold — -23 degrees Fahrenheit as of 7 a.m.), we’re hopeful that rodent is right. An early spring would be welcomed by all in North Dakota this Ground Hog’s day.
The whole production of shadow-based weather forecasting has left this Ambassador hoping Punxsy Phil isn’t a ground hog playing possum. With so many prairie dogs in North Dakota, we certainly know how to appreciate a ground rodent. So cheers to you Ground Hog, you better not turn out to be a dang lier!
Check out Punxsutawney Phil’s official website for more Ground Hog action.
