A respected consultant has recommended that the NDSU Research and Technology Park proceed with plans to develop a 40,000-square foot technology incubator. An incubator is a location in which start-up businesses receive support and access to critical tools, information, contacts and resources.

The feasibility report by Claggett Wolfe Associates, Auburn, Calif., said work should move forward in collaboration with local governments, the Chamber of Commerce of Fargo Moorhead, Lake Agassiz Regional Development Council, the Center for Innovation, Fargo-Cass County Economic Development Corporation and other NDSU entities.

Recent trip to the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority in Aurora, Colorado to learn more about their incubator. Left to right: Tony Grindberg, RTP; Brad Odegard, PRACS Institute; Jagdish Singh, NDSU; Robert Olson, Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority; Brian Walters, Fargo Cass County EDC; Linda Butts, ND Department of Commerce.

"The primary thing we were looking for was whether the culture, environment and opportunities present at NDSU as a research university would stimulate and help commercialize ideas," President Joseph A. Chapman said. "The consultant determined it does exist and will exist into the future. If the right approach is taken, an incubator will work."

Claggett Wolfe personnel interviewed and surveyed about 75 local people from academia, business and public office. "They measured the environment in the community, the leadership and the support for this kind of project," Tony Grindberg, the park's executive director, said. "It was very comprehensive."

Visit to Fitzsimons Revelopment Authority in Aurora, Colorado. Mike Chambers, Aldevron LLC. and Brad Odegard, PRACS Institute

The researchers found that the Fargo-Moorhead market supports a thriving small business sector, and that growing clusters are evident in the areas of biosciences, advanced manufacturing, materials science and information technology. It also found that an incubator is consistent with regional and university economic development objectives, and that the level of community and stakeholder support is strong.

According to Craig Schnell, NDSU vice president for academic affairs and a member of the park's board of directors, an incubator has been discussed for about 15 years. "We look at this as a possibility of fulfilling that goal," he said. "Over time, we've had a number of potential business starts, but only one or two were successful. With an incubator, we could maximize and increase that percentage."

John Campbell, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Fargo Moorhead, said he was excited by the report, noting that it confirmed many positive things about the business environment here.

"It gives us an opportunity to grow some new businesses that could potentially have quite an impact on the area," Campbell said. "An exciting part is that it is connected to the university, and that gives us a lot more opportunities to connect with students. That's an exciting dynamic that will be included in the incubated companies."

Michael A. Chambers, president and CEO of Aldevron LLC and a member of the park's board of directors, said he expects such a facility to have a significant economic influence. "The incubator will be a central component in our region's continued evolution to a high-tech center," he said. "I anticipate many start-up companies from the university system."

Grindberg said the positive report was gratifying because during 2002, the firm told 50 percent of its clients nationwide not to proceed with projects. "With the analysis, we are well positioned for this endeavor," he said.

Claggett Wolfe Associates is an internationally recognized consulting company that works with public, private and non-profit clients to foster economic growth. Chuck Wolfe, who led the feasibility analysis team, co-authored "Best Practices in Action: Guidelines for Implementing First-Class Business Incubation Programs," which has been released by the National Business Incubation Association, Athens, Ohio. His project team recently completed technology incubator feasibility studies and business plans for the University of Missouri, Columbia; Northeastern University, Boston; and the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training in the State of Kuwait.