The interim commerce committee met for the second time Oct. 9 to continue studies on topics mandated by the 2019 legislative session, including the disclosure of consumers’ personal data.
Congressman Kelly Armstrong provided testimony urging caution to the committee as it considers potential state regulation of consumer data. According to the Congressman, regulating data privacy at the state level could prove harmful to businesses. Representatives from the wireless communications industry, consumer reporting industry, internet service provider and life insurers were among other stakeholders who testified against state level data privacy legislation. No testimony was provided in favor.
TechND will facilitate a breakout session during the Cultivate Conference on Nov. 14 at the Avalon Events Center in Fargo that will feature a panel discussion on Enhancing Technology Innovation.
This panel will explore how North Dakota can take technology innovation to the next level, specifically related to agriculture. Participants will discuss opportunities, barriers and policy needed (or not needed) to stimulate a climate of innovation into the future. Panel participants include:
Register today for the Cultivate Conference using promo code TECHND for your special ticket price of $60 off general admission. Learn more.
TechND is a partner providing the tech industry voice in the K-20W Initiative, a statewide, comprehensive approach to cybersecurity education and workforce training, which has been named a CSO50 Award winner. Code named “K-20W” to reflect every student from kindergarten through PhD and workforce, the K-20W coalition is comprised of more than 40 public and private sector participants including TechND who share a goal of “Every Student. Every School. Cyber Educated.“ The Initiative was also the recipient of a Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service and was a Center for Digital Government Government Experience Award Finalist.
“We have a unique and robust ecosystem with dozens of committed partners in North Dakota making a huge impact on our ability for every student and citizen to learn computer science and cybersecurity skills – truly foundational for 21st century careers,” said Chief Information Officer Shawn Riley. “There is growing national attention on this exciting initiative, and this team has shown first-hand what can be accomplished through a whole-of-government approach and desire to change the world.” Read more.
Bismarck, N.D. – Bushel received the Technology Council of North Dakota’s (TechND) Premier Technology Business award during the 19th annual North Dakota Technology Awards Program on Aug. 14 in Fargo.
Bushel, formerly Myriad Mobile, was started in 2011 in the North Dakota State University Incubator in Fargo and has grown into an agriculture technology company focused on delivering software and technology platforms to the ag industry. It now has more than 130 employees. Bushel has quickly become a leader in software technology for the grain industry, benefiting more than 100 grain and agronomy companies in the U.S. and Canada and more than 14,000 farmers who use their products every month.
Bushel was named as one of the Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in the U.S. three times. It has successfully raised more than $9 million in investments and is currently raising additional capital, to help accelerate Bushel as one of the nation’s leading ag-players in the industry. In the past two years, they have had two successful acquisitions, and revenue growth was more than 300 percent over the last three years. Bushel was also named Inc. magazine’s list of Best Places to Work in 2018.
“Bushel is one of leading technology businesses in the nation. It’s growth and impact on the industry and market are outstanding,” says Justin Forde, TechND’s president and senior director of government relations at Midco. “Bushel is very deserving of the Premier Technology Business Award.”
Founded in 2000 by North Dakota business, government and education leaders, TechND has spent nearly two decades advocating for a positive business climate for technology companies, addressing technology workforce needs, encouraging infrastructure development and providing knowledge sharing opportunities for its membership, which consists of more than 65 North Dakota business, government and education entities. For more information, visit www.techND.org.
A new program called ND Career Builders is aimed at increasing workforce in high need and emerging occupations in the state. The program originates from House Bill 1171, passed by the 2019 legislature, and provides a skilled workforce scholarship and student loan repayment program.
“We thank the legislature for the foresight in passing this bill. We are seeing a shortfall in the number of workers that are trained to fill necessary and emerging occupations in our state. As part of higher education’s mission to meet the ever-evolving needs of both students wanting good careers as well as our business folks that want skilled workers, ND Career Builders was developed to help meet those demands,” said State Board of Higher Education Chair Nick Hacker.
The North Dakota University System and institutions across the state are working together with partnership agencies, including the ND Workforce Development Council, ND Commerce Department, the Bank of North Dakota and Job Service of North Dakota to promote this opportunity for both students and employers. The scholarship and loan repayment programs target the workforce needs of North Dakota with the overarching goal to reduce the number of unfilled skilled workforce jobs that require a two-year degree or less. Qualifying certificate or degree programs that are 4 semesters or 6 quarters or less in length at ND’s public, tribal and private institutions are eligible for the program.
The ND Career Builders scholarship and loan repayment programs are a public-private endeavor – for each dollar of private support, the state will contribute a dollar of public funding. Employers can contribute dollars to match the investment of the state and help employees reduce their student loan debt while filling their workforce needs. Since this is a joint public-private funded program, donations will be accepted for both the scholarship and loan repayment programs by the NDUS. The maximum public support is $3 million for each program; awards will be made until funds are exhausted.
The list of in-demand qualifying careers was developed by the partnership agencies. To apply for the scholarship or loan forgiveness or to see the list of in-demand careers, go to: https://www.ndus.edu/career-builders/
