Press Releases
January 15, 2008
Marketplace Explores Emerging Opportunities from Energy and Agriculture
Conrad, Klobuchar, Johnson Kick-Off ND's Largest Economic Development Summit
Grand Forks – U.S. Senator Kent Conrad and Ag Commissioner Roger Johnson were joined today by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota to kick-off activities for Marketplace for Entrepreneurs 2008.
Marketplace is North Dakota’s largest and longest-running economic development conference. This year, Marketplace is exploring new innovations in the energy industry and how these innovations will benefit farmers and potentially transform the economic landscape of North Dakota.
“Today, there is no greater opportunity to develop North Dakota’s economy — and create hundreds if not thousands of jobs — than with energy policy,” said Senator Conrad.
“At Marketplace 2008, we are focusing on the growing number of economic opportunities in the Upper Midwest, including innovative ways to “grow” our energy and make our nation more energy independent,” said Commissioner Johnson. Conrad and Johnson are the organizing sponsors of Marketplace.
During a Marketplace lunch hosted today by Conrad and Johnson, Senator Klobuchar delivered a keynote speech focused on emerging opportunities in agriculture and energy. Senator Klobuchar, who serves on the Senate Agriculture and Commerce committees, emphasized rural America’s crucial role in developing a domestic, renewable energy industry – and how that new industry will benefit the region.
“The transition to a new generation of renewable fuels presents big challenges, but it also presents amazing opportunities for new jobs and industries for our states. It has put North Dakota and Minnesota on the cutting edge in developing new types of farm-based energy that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil while strengthening our economy,” Senator Klobuchar said.
Senators Conrad and Klobuchar highlighted provisions in national energy legislation passed by the Congress and signed into law last month by the President that will bring new investments to North Dakota's and Minnesota’s agricultural and energy industries.
“This is an exciting time for North Dakota and Minnesota. This new energy bill will help grow our economies with greater production of renewable fuels drawn from the crops we grow right here on North Dakota family farms,” said Senator Conrad, the author of key provisions included in the Energy Bill. “This bill allows America to look to the farm fields of the Midwest rather than the oil fields of the Mid East for our energy needs.”
Senator Conrad and Commissioner Johnson also convened a special meeting of agriculture and energy leaders from across the region at Marketplace today to discuss ways for North Dakota to take advantage of the many benefits proposed in the new Farm Bill.
Senator Conrad, a senior member of the Agriculture Committee, plays a key role in writing the new Farm Bill. He will be appointed to the conference committee that will negotiate the differences between the Senate and House of Representatives versions of the 2007 Farm Bill.
Marketplace events continue tomorrow as hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs gather at the Alerus Center to exchange ideas, discuss the latest innovations and share skills and technology. In addition, Kent Thiry, the CEO of DaVita Inc., a national health care company, will deliver a keynote address on Wednesday at the noon program. The first 1,000 people at the noon program will receive a free box lunch. All the events at Marketplace are free and open to the public.
