VCSU Receives Economic Diversification Research Funds

Valley City State University (VCSU) has received an Economic Diversification Research grant from the North Dakota University System (NDUS).

The grant allows VCSU students and faculty to develop a business incubator for new start-up businesses and those who wish to expand operations. The business incubator will be open one night per week during the school year and will provide area businesses with assistance on a variety of tasks including preparing business plans and entry-level marketing.

“This project will provide students with valuable experiential learning opportunities that will benefit them as they enter the workforce,” said Brenda Tyre, chair of the VCSU Business Department, Experiential or hands-on, practical learning is a cornerstone for many of VCSU’s academic programs.

“In addition to benefitting VCSU students, this project will provide the necessary assistance to new and existing businesses to spark workforce development in Valley City and the surrounding region,” said Larry Brooks, VCSU Vice President for Academic Affairs.  “I applaud Brenda for her vision and commitment to student success.”

According to VCSU President, Alan LaFave, “We are pleased to be part of this NDUS initiative. As this business incubator grows, we look to create partnerships with organizations that encourage and promote small business development across the region and state.”

In addition to benefiting area businesses, the business incubator will host a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteer program that will be available to community members who qualify for this service.

The purposes of the Economic Diversification Research funding are;

• to stimulate economic activity across the state through innovation of new technology, concepts, and products,
• to promote job creation and career and wage growth,
• to enhance health care outcomes,
• to address the loss of revenue and jobs in communities with economies that depend primarily on the fossil fuel industry; and
• to provide experiential learning opportunities for students.

For more information on the VCSU business incubator, contact Brenda Tyre at (701) 845-7515 or brenda.tyre@vcsu.edu. For more information about VCSU, or to schedule an interview, contact Tammy Jo Anderson Taft at (701) 845-7227 or email TammyJo.Taft@vcsu.edu.