Linda Butts is building an intelligence operation.
Its mission: Market North Dakota's potential to out-of-state business leaders.
Butts, the state's economic development and finance director, was in Fargo Thursday to tout the state's Ambassadors' program.
More than 300 current and former North Dakotans participate in the program. The volunteers, who live in eight states, promote North Dakota and steer expanding companies here.
"Our goal is to leverage the influence of our ambassadors to spread the message that North Dakota is a good place to live, work and be in business," she said.
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Appearing with Butts at Thursday's press conference were Gov. John Hoeven, state Commerce Commissioner Lee Peterson and Gerald Haman, a Towner, N.D., native who serves in the Ambassadors program.
Haman's company, Chicago-based SolutionPeople, tries to help Fortune 500 companies find innovative solutions to their problems.
Haman said he and many other business leaders with close ties to the state have deep feelings for it.
"Even though many of us have ventured beyond North Dakota's borders, we still love our home state and want North Dakota to grow and prosper."
Peterson said too many people around the country have little or no knowledge of North Dakota. Building a network of people such as Haman can help change that, Peterson said.
State officials hope to begin tapping North Dakota high school and college students as ambassadors, too, he said.
North Dakota's economy is growing and diversifying, and the Ambassadors' program deserves part of the credit, Hoeven said.
People who grow up in North Dakota recognize its strengths, Hoeven said, and they wish it well even if they move away.
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"There's just something about North Dakota," he said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Jonathan Knutson at (701) 241-5530
