East Central Technology Council

Rural North Dakota is not just a great place to live. Businesses and workers using Information Technology in our 3-county region may have access to more IT infrastructure than their counterparts in some of the larger cities. This is where you can find high-speed internet access of many types, a technologically advanced ‘laptop’ university, a skilled workforce, an IT business incubator, empowerment zone resources, and more. High-speed Connectivity This region is blessed with a wide range of broadband capabilities: T1 – available at a low cost in the Traill County Technology Center DSL – for all of your business needs Wireless – flexibility Cable Modem - puts our residents on a fast track Home to Mayville State University A powerful regional asset for personal and professional growth, MSU offers four-year liberal arts and professional degrees. Mayville State University was the fourth university in the country to provide notebook computers to all of its students, empowering them with the tools for our technology-driven economy. Programs in computer information systems, e-business, project management, and information technology specializations provide skilled employees for information technology businesses. The university is home to the Traill County Technology Center, a business incubator for start-up and satellite enterprises that often hire students as highly skilled part-time workers. The university also partners with economic development agencies and area businesses to provide customized workforce training on campus or at the business. University communities benefit from the number of arts and cultural events that a college brings. Mayville State offers many such events annually, including concerts and theater productions. Its sporting events are popular community gathering points, too. The university’s athletic facilities are also available for public use. Work Ethic & Technical Skills . . . what a combination! Old-fashioned North Dakota work ethic . . . need we say more? In the ECTC, we also have a technically-skilled workforce and people that understand the needs of today’s information technology professionals. Business Incubator & Facilities for Business Startups or Expansions The Traill County Technology Center (TCTC) is a business incubator that caters to startup and expanding companies that rely on Information Technology (IT) to do business. It also serves as a resource for information technology training for companies and the communities in the region. The TCTC is conveniently located on the campus of Mayville State University, giving resident businesses unique access to the technical skills of the student labor force. High-speed T1 network, affordable office space, and all the resources of a progressive University . . . you can’t go wrong! Empowerment Zone Provides Additional Resources The Griggs-Steele Empowerment Zone, Inc., one of only 10 federally designated rural empowerment zone’s nation-wide, covers all of Steele County, part of Griggs County, and includes Hannaford and Binford as developable sites. The EZ designation brings with it numerous tax incentives, including a $3000 wage tax credit for qualified Zone businesses, an increased Section 179 (accelerated depreciation) deduction and tax exempt bond financing. Three fully improved industrial parks and available office spaces in many of the Zone communities offer your business the opportunity of enjoying a unique quality of life while assuring you of the latest technology infrastructure. For more information on the EZ, see www.griggs-steeleez.org.