Winter 1993 - A technology park is included in the NDSU Facility Master Plan approved by the State Board of Higher Education. The master plan states that additional development opportunities would include a technology park for university-related research and development. Its decision matrix for land use twice makes reference to reserving sites for development of a park for public/private partnerships.
June 1998 - Northern States Power Co. approaches NDSU to investigate the possibility for the university to be the site for development of a technology park similar to those developed with NSP's involvement on campuses in other parts of the country. Others participating in the discussion relative to the park include officials from the City of Fargo and the Fargo-Cass County Economic Development Corp.
August 1998 - Representatives from NDSU, the City of Fargo and NSP tour the University of Wisconsin-Stout technology park.
January 5, 1999 - NSP contributes the first of $50,000 start-up money to hire a consultant to prepare a feasibility study and preliminary business plan for the park.
Jan. 22, 1999 - NDSU provides the SBHE with background information for a possible technology park to be located on the NDSU campus.
July 8, 1999 - Strategic Alliances, Milwaukee, is hired as the consultant to provide services relating to a Basic Resource Assessment and Strategic Approach for a park.
Sept. 9, 1999 - NDSU President Joseph A. Chapman outlines plans for the park in his State of the University Address.
Sept. 17, 1999 - NDSU presents a conceptual master plan/proposed strategic plan for the park to the SBHE and requests permission to proceed with the formation of a private non-profit corporation. NDSU also provides the board with information about a private company interested in locating a research center at the park (Phoenix International Corp.). SBHE authorizes NDSU to proceed with the development of a self-sustaining research park, the creation of a non-profit corporation and a long-term master land lease with such corporation. Also on this date, a Forum editorial urges work to proceed, stating, "Support for the tech park is strong among manufacturers, research firms and economic development officials in Fargo."
Oct. 28, 1999 - NDSU presents and the SBHE approves plans for the "Master Ground Lease, Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws" for the park.
Nov. 30, 1999 - Secretary of State Alvin Jaeger signs the articles of incorporation for the park.
Dec. 30, 1999 - The bylaws are approved by the park's board of directors and "Master Ground Lease and Development Agreement" becomes effective between the State of North Dakota and the SBHE on behalf of NDSU and NDSU Research and Technology Park Inc.
Feb. 4, 2000 - Phoenix International Corp. signs the finalized letter of intent to become the park's cornerstone tenant.
February 2000 - Plans are established for the park's second building, a facility to house NDSU researchers.
March 5, 2000 - A Bismarck Tribune article says, "NDSU Technology Park could help students stay in the state."
March 17, 2000 - The park's board of directors is named and five companies submit construction bids. Also on this date, Philip Boudjouk, professor of chemistry, is named NDSU's first vice president for research, creative activities and technology transfer.
March 18, 2000 - A front page Forum story explains plans to begin spring construction for the 68,000-square foot Phoenix International building and 40,000-square foot NDSU research facility.
March 20, 2000 - The USA Today newspaper notes NDSU's plans in its section on news of the states.
March 22, 2000 - The Forum editorial headline states, "Tech park potential unlimited."
March 31, 2000 - KBW Associates, Fargo, is awarded the construction work for the Phoenix International building and NDSU research facility.
May 12, 2000 - Memorandum of lease and ground lease entered into between NDSU Research and Technology Park Inc. and Phoenix International Corp.
May 19, 2000 - Chapman operates John Deere heavy equipment during the park's groundbreaking ceremonies.
August 2000 - Construction begins on Phoenix International Corp. building.
September 2000 - Construction begins on NDSU research building.
Dec. 18, 2000 - A Forum headline proclaims "Hunt for tech firms intensifies: Companies would tap area's brain power to boost research." The article is about the park's search for participating companies.
Jan. 11, 2001 - Representatives from South Dakota State University, Brookings, tour the park, seeking input for a proposed project near their campus.
Jan. 29, 2001 - The search begins for a park director.
May 2001 - Governing magazine includes positive comments about the park in a cover story titled *Little Chips, Big Dreams.*
May 10, 2001 - The park's board of directors accepts vision and mission statements for the park. It also adopts a job description for the position of park director.
May 11, 2001 - Forum editorial calls upcoming park dedication "a milestone."
May 12, 2001 - Dedication ceremonies are held. Speakers include Chapman; Rita Colwell, director of the National Science Foundation; John Lawson, senior vice president for technology and engineering, Deere and Co.; Gov. John Hoeven; and representatives of the state's congressional delegation.
May 14, 2001 - The Phoenix International Corp. building, now at 75,000 square feet, is ready for occupancy.
Oct. 2001 - Anticipated completion of the NDSU research building.
2001 - Received U.S. Dept of Labor operations grant.
2002 - Secured financing and design for Research II.
Feb., 2002 - Research I completed.
2003 - Began construction of Research II.
Mar., 2003 - Completed Technology Incubator study.
Apr., 2003 - Awarded Center of Excellence funding from State of ND.
Jul., 2003 - Attracted major private industry tenant, Alien Technology Corporation.
Jul., 2004 - Developed plans and financing for a hotel and education center to locate in park.
Sept., 2004 - Awarded Economic Development Administration three-year "University Center" grant.
Oct. 23, 2004 - Dedication of Research II.
April, 2006 - Contruction begins on Center for Technology Enterprise Incubator.
August, 2006 - Park receives award for Best in Nation Tech Led Development, awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
April, 2007 - Incubator opens with five initial technology companies.
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