BISMARCK - North Dakota's Ambassador Program has been named Best Program of the Year by Business Facilities Magazine.
An initiative of the North Dakota Department of Commerce, the Ambassador Program was created in 2001 using current and former state residents to generate business leads and help diversify the state's economy.
"The Department of Commerce has hosted 35 ambassador-related events and signed up more than 900 ambassadors," Commerce Commissioner Shane Goettle said. "The program is directly linked to the creation of six new North Dakota businesses."
Linda Butts, director of the state's Economic Development and Finance Division, said businesses created by the Ambassador Program generated $3.8 million in personal income in 2005 and a projected $4.3 million in state tax revenues over a three-year period.
Business Facilities Magazine's 13th annual economic development awards are featured in the December issue.
