Fargo is rated first and Bismarck second in the Milken Institute Best Performing Cities report for 2010 in the category of small cities. The report notes “The big winners in the 2010 small cities index have at least one (or a combination) of these three assets: energy-related natural resources, a major university, and a military base.”
The report titled, “Best Performing Cities 2010: Where America’s Jobs Are Created and Sustained,” is found at http://www.milkeninstitute.org/publications/publications.taf?function=detail&ID=38801250&cat=resrep
The report’s authors note Fargo’s agricultural base, along with a growing technology cluster. The report includes mention of Fargo-Moorhead’s higher education institutions, including North Dakota State University and notes the region’s job creation. According to the report, “From 2004 to 2009...the professional, scientific, and technical services sector added more than 1,000 positions.”
“Research universities such as NDSU provide science and technology expertise that are key to public-private partnerships and enhance economic opportunities,” said Philip Boudjouk, NDSU vice president for Research, Creative Activities and Technology Transfer. “Most recently for example, Triton Systems located to the NDSU Research & Technology Park based on factors that included NDSU’s coatings and electronics expertise.”
The Milken Institute is an independent economic think tank whose mission is to improve the lives and economic conditions of diverse populations in the United States and around the world by helping business and public policy leaders identify and implement innovative ideas for creating broad-based prosperity.
The Milken Report comes on the heels of the recently released Beacon Hill Institute Report that placed North Dakota first overall in its annual state competitiveness rating. Based on 43 indicators, that report also ranked North Dakota third in Academic R&D per $1,000 gross state product and third in science and engineering graduate students per 100,000 inhabitants. The BHI report is found at http://www.beaconhill.org/competitivenesshomepage.html
Nov. 19, 2010