Imation, the world's largest manufacturer of computer diskettes, added 128,000-sq. ft. (11,891 sq. m.) of manufacturing space at its Wahpeton, N.D., complex.

North Dakota Builds
on Ag Base

In a state that measures topsoil by the foot, rather than by the inch, North Dakota's economy is very much agriculture-dependent. The state is trying to diversify by encouraging more valued-added agriculture projects such as the recently announced expansion of Minot Milling, which plans to invest $7.9 million to add two mills to process spring wheat. The company currently grinds 24,000 bushels of durum wheat into semolina daily.
        "Even though we don't go clear to the end with bakeries, we do add value," says Lee Peterson, commissioner of the North Dakota Dept. of Commerce.
        One example of North Dakota holding its own in manufacturing in a turbulent economy is the expansion of Imation in Wahpeton, a small town of about 8,500 in the southeast corner of the state. Imation, the largest computer diskette manufacturer in the world, opened a new $10-million, 128,000-sq.-ft. (11,891-sq.-m.) concrete tilt building at its Wahpeton complex in early 2003, adding about 100 employees.
        Dennis Gladen, Imation's Wahpeton manufacturing director, says the facility will accommodate the next five to seven years of growth. He says the expansion is a result of the cooperation of local, state and federal governments. The building was sold to the local economic development agency, Wapheton Community Development Corp., and leased back to Imation for 10 years.
        Fargo has become a burgeoning center of high technology of late. Alien Technology Corp., based in Morgan Hill, Calif., is building a research and manufacturing facility at North Dakota State University's Research & Technology Park. The plant will produce radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for retail and supply-chain uses and will begin operation in early 2005. RFID tags may eventually supplement or replace bar codes.
        "This is the world's first mass-scale manufacturing plant for this type of new technology," said NDSU President Joseph A. Chapman. "It's not often that a region can recognize an emerging trend, and then move to the front of that trend."