Thank you for joining us as we celebrate the third annual Red River Valley Research Corridor Milestones and Horizons Conference.
During this event, we will highlight the many exciting scientific and technological advances of the past eight years of the Research Corridor – from life sciences to unmanned aircraft systems, clean energy technologies, advanced surfaces and coatings, microelectronics, and wireless technologies. We’ll also discuss plans for the continued growth of world-class research in our region and the bright future of the Red River Valley Research Corridor.
You will hear from and interact with widely recognized innovators such as Dean Kamen, who has been referred to as the modern-day Thomas Edison; John Fernandez, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development; and Dr. Edward Jung, the holder of over 100 patents and co-founder of Intellectual Ventures, a firm that funds, develops, and markets inventions.
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In December 2002, I proposed the creation of a Red River Valley Research Corridor, using our two major universities, NDSU and UND, as engines to generate research and business opportunity. In the past eight years, RRVRC has grown to include input from other state colleges and universities, investment from industry leading companies, and partnerships with national laboratories and research centers. The success we have had in a very short time has been extraordinary.
During my tenure in the U.S. Senate, I have worked vigorously to boost high-tech research, development, and commercialization in North Dakota. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have directed nearly $800 million in federal investments to North Dakota.
This is the eighteenth action summit I have co-hosted with the Red River Valley Research Corridor with the goal of bringing together industry stakeholders, venture capitalists, elected officials, educators, students and the public to discuss the region’s R&D future. As a result, North Dakota has seen a substantial boost in cutting-edge research and our success has not gone unnoticed.
In April, the National Science Foundation ranked NDSU as a top 100 research university. In May, Inc. magazine highlighted the Red River Valley Research Corridor as one of the twenty areas in the country, “Where Great Ideas Are Born”.
We have come a long way in building a high-tech economy in North Dakota that is attracting new industry, high-quality jobs, and national attention. I’m proud of our success, and I look forward to working with you at this event to continue the momentum of the Red River Valley Research Corridor.
Sincerely,
Byron L. Dorgan
U.S. Senator
Learn more about U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan.
The Red River Valley Research Corridor tracks and works to acquire federal research funding, provides basic infrastructure support that will attract such work, and identify gaps in technology infrastructure and work to fill them. The Corridor will also provide links between state colleges and universities, commercialization teams, and business investment capital, and will market the state's research and technology assets outside the region.
The Red River Valley Research Corridor is an independent non-profit organization that serves as a catalyst for the development and growth of science and technology-based enterprises throughout the region.
Learn more about the Red River Valley Research Corridor.
