Thanks to the generosity of DSU graduates Jerome and Rosie Strom, the Strom Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is home to a number of initiatives to promote economic development and stem out migration through the support of entrepreneurial business ventures and individuals.  The Center comprises information on HomeTown Competitiveness Project, the Institute for Technology and Business, the Talent Initiative, E-Scholars Program, Business Challenge, Small Business Development Center, and the North Dakota Trade Office.

As part of the Strom Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the Institute for Technology and Business (ITB) received a Centers of Excellence grant to promote entrepreneurial business growth through the support of new business technologies.  The institute offers southwestern North Dakota businesses support and consulting services with “cutting edge” technology in the areas of communication, manufacturing and other business applications. The ITB will initially work with Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing, but will soon expand to assist other business needs within the community.

HomeTown Competitiveness (HTC) is a come back/give back approach for capacity building in rural communities.  This comprehensive approach has the building blocks to support a long-term plan to sustain community and economic development in rural communities.  HTC focuses on four core strategies: mobilize local leaders and building community civic capacity, energize local entrepreneurs  to build a stronger economy, capture wealth transfer to raise development dollars, and attract young people to strengthen community demographics.   The Strom Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, along with the Bush Foundation of Minnesota, are the support for the HTC initiative in western North Dakota.  Supported by Dickinson State University and other area partners, HTC offers community members technical skills to assist in driving their communities economic and community growth. Current communities in the HTC project include Bowman, Dickinson, Hettinger, Killdeer, Williston, and the communities within the Fort Berthold Reservation and the Medora environs.

One of the primary focuses of the Strom Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is the creation of a regional workforce development system in partnership with Stark Development Corporation and in collaboration with other businesses and organizations within southwestern North Dakota. Utilizing the expertise of a Marketing Specialist and a Web Manager, a Web site will be created to promote the region to new workforce applicants as well as businesses.  A Human Resources and Leadership Development Specialist will assist and consult with local businesses on areas such as competitiveness, workforce attraction and retention, human resource trends and best practice.  Projects are currently underway with several local businesses.  Piloting entrepreneurial leadership development with Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing has resulted in the development of a certificate in Entrepreneurial Leadership.  The certificate is earned through the successful completion of 16 credit hours at Dickinson State University and includes topics such as management and leadership, creativity and innovation, marketing and business in a global economy, budgets and finance. 

Creativity and innovation is the focus of the Strom Entrepreneurial Leadership Series events in 2008. Redesigned this year to be more flexible for business and community needs, the Strom Entrepreneurial Leadership Series (formerly known as the Strom Conference) will consist of four half-day events held from January through April. Featured speakers will address creativity, innovation, recruitment and retention strategies, ecotourism, entrepreneurial opportunities, and more.

Every year, a group of DSU entrepreneurial-minded students from many different areas of study who are interested in acquiring the skills and tools necessary to start a business or enterprise are picked to be E-Scholars. These students augment coursework that provides the conceptual skills needed to create an enterprise with hands-on experience that they acquire by working closely with a mentor team that includes practicing entrepreneurs.

Business Challenge offers high school students and K-12 educators a week-long, action-packed, entrepreneurial experience in which they learn about real-life applications of business and career opportunities in North Dakota.  High school students enjoy getting to know each other during Business Challenge and business leaders from across the state share their expertise and knowledge as they lead discussion groups, guide hands-on activities, teach strategies, and facilitate business simulations. Over 7,500 students and educators have experienced this entrepreneurial adventure in the last 30 years.

The North Dakota Trade Office is dedicated to expanding North Dakota exports to high-demand foreign markets through advocacy, education and expertise.

The Trade Office is the catalyst in a collaborative effort among the state’s universities, state and federal government agencies and private export service professionals that collectively provide North Dakota companies with the support they need to succeed in the global marketplace.

A representative of the North Dakota Trade Office will be on site each Tuesday to assist in global commerce issues.

The DSU Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides high quality business assistance to existing business owners/managers and assists individuals with business startup. Support services include free confidential consultation; free information, materials or research; and free or nominal cost management training. The regional center is hosted by DSU and funded in cooperation with the U.S. Small Business Administration, State of North Dakota, University of North Dakota, and support from regional banks, utilities, and development organizations. The SBDC program is the most comprehensive, efficient, and effective business assistance network in the nation.