1 Western andCentral NorthDakota brand ofresearchNorth Dakota is known for

its scenery and open spaces.

In the research field, the

higher eduction systems in

the western and central part

of the state also have their

own brand of research.

2 STEPPING STONETO A BIGGERVISION: HIT, Inc.expansion projectone piece of thepuzzleIndependence, dignity, and

respect.

Western and Central NorthDakota brand of research

North Dakota is known for its scenery and open spaces. In the research field, the higher educationsystems in the western and central part of the state also have their own brand of research.

Take for example, the Theodore Roosevelt Centerthat is developing at Dickinson State University inDickinson, ND. The TR Center is digitizing all of

Roosevelt’s documents and creating the presidential libraryfor the 26th U.S. President,according to Clay Jenkinson,Theodore RooseveltHumanities Scholar. “This willbecome a major touristattraction,” he explains. “Peoplewill include it on thepresidential library andmuseum circuit. Dickinsonmattered to Roosevelt. That iswhy we want it to be here.”As is true of other presidents

who served before the formalpresidential library systemdeveloped, Roosevelt’s papersare scattered in repositories

around the country. It is estimated that more than 250,000documents are in the Library of Congress and another75,000 at Harvard University. Then there are an estimated10,000 at the National Park Service sites related toRoosevelt. The Theodore Roosevelt Center already hasformal partnerships with these organizations and hasdigitized much of their TR holdings.

Yet many documents are held elsewhere, Jenkinsonsays. “In all, we estimate there are more than a milliondocuments to be gathered and cataloged,” he says.

Paid personnel and volunteers are organizing anddescribing the documents to create the digital, nationalpresidential library on the Dickinson campus. The firstassortment of fully described and searchable documentswill be made available in mid-November of this year. TheTheodore Roosevelt Center, when fully developed, willcomprise a museum, a convening center, and a Rooseveltreading room modeled after TR’s library in his home atSagamore Hill, in addition to the intellectual center fororganizing and interpreting the digital library.

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TR Center Clay Jenkinson and James Hutson

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Jenkinson also believes that Dickinson StateUniversity is the perfect place to house the documentsbecause there is a general research component embeddedinto the university system. “The Theodore Rooseveltdigital library represents a major contribution to researchon the part of Dickinson State University,” he says. “Wewant this to turn into a research magnet.”

PRODUCERS BENEFITING FROM AGRESEARCH CENTER

Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, ND is thehome to the Dakota Center for Technology-OptimizedAgriculture. The Center was initially funded with internalresources of Lake Region State College and by the NorthDakota Governor’s Center of Excellence Initiative toconduct high end technological research and generateentrepreneurial opportunity for northern high plainsagricultural producers and agri-related enterprises.

Spearheaded by Dr. Paul Gunderson, the Center’sDirector, the Center has created more than 11 jobs withinNorth Dakota’s private precision agriculture industry anddeveloped an application for the world’s firstcommercially successful on-the-go manure nutrientsensor capable of withstanding the rigors of in-field highplains ag use.

In addition, the Center has developed a graduate-leveleducation training program for physicians and nurses in

agricultural occupational safety and health in cooperativewith the University of North Dakota’s Center for RuralHealth.

The Center and its partner, Agri-ImaGIS Technologiesof Maddock and Fargo, ND, have conducted extensiveon-farm research into the use of precision agriculturetechnologies and additional product needs.

OTHER RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Documented need for training of agricultural

producers about precision agriculture tools and theirintegration into operating enterprises.

Equipment designs for precision guided slurrymanure injection technology.

Fabrication of a precision slurry manure injector forhigh plains producer on-farm use.

Precision agriculture training modules for use inInternet-based environments.

A first-generation optimizer module for producerswishing to evaluate purchase and use of precisionagriculture tools within high plains enterprises.

Training materials for assisting agricultural producerswith use of office-based computer technology, field-basedIPAQ’s/SmartPhones, transfer and usage of large data files,and networking of people, machines, and farm/ranchoffices. WNDPB

Alan Van Ormer - avanormer@prairiebizmag.com

Clay Jenkinson in Badlands(Photo courtesy of ShannaShervheim, DSU)

Dr. Paul Gunderson, Director,Dakota Center forTechnology-OptimizedAgriculture

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office@wscfoundation.com | 701-572-9275

In 2010 we built a new career and technology center, residence hall* and startedconstruction on a science addition. Please help us continue the growth atWSC.

Donate to the vision online at www.wscfoundation.com.

Frontier Hall*, 3rd Floor Commons

These are the first words you see whenyou pull up the HIT, Inc. webpage atwww.hitinc.org. Their goal is to

provide quality, life enhancing services toindividuals with disabilities. In a worldwhere disabilities can sometimes seem scaryto those who don’t understand it, HIT, Inc.helps bridge the gap and serves as a catalystso clients can become a part of thecommunity.

Their full spectrum services are designedto help individuals from birth to end of lifetransitions. Some of those services include:

Infant development - where they beginworking with infants from birth to age three- the age when the school system takes overfor special education.

Day Services - specifically designed tohelp individuals develop daily living, socialand prevocational skills that may include jobplacement in the community. This servicealso provides education to employers so theyfully understand the full spectrum of theirpotential employee’s disability.

Residential Services - a spectrum ofservices that includes in-home supportservices, residential services to people thatlive in their own apartments, and grouphomes.

The Headstart Programs in Mandan,Hebron, Hazen, Beulah, Carson, and NewSalem encourage low income families tobecome involved with their children’seducation at a very young age.

Brain Injury Services - provides speechand occupational therapy, residence, and atransitional program for patients withstrong rehab potential.

Since its humble beginnings in 1979,

Stepping stone toa bigger vision:

HIT, Inc.expansionproject onepiece of thepuzzleIndependence, dignity,and respect.

4 WNDPB November 2011

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• More Time for Your Business• Less Time on Paperwork-Garnishments,

Government Regulations & Compliance,Payroll Forms and Accounting

• More Time for Your Staff to do More Profitable Tasks• Less Time on Payroll, Payroll Tax Deadlines, Quarterly

Tax Filing and W-2’s• Save money by avoiding Payroll Tax Errors and Penalties

• Save Money with Direct Deposit for Employees-No lost checks, No Stop Payment Fees

• Save Money for Your Employees with Our Flexible Benefit Plan

Outsourcing...A Better Way OfDoing Business.

4007 State Street, Bismarck, ND 585031-800-258-9848 • (701)258-9848

fpspayroll.com

HIT, Inc. has grown from seven employees to just over 500 individuals.This growth in staff and clientele is what prompted the need for a43,000 square-foot multi-million dollar expansion project in northwestMandan.

“This will be the first time that we’ve had a building designedspecifically for our needs, rather than making due with what we had,”says CEO Mike Remboldt.

Those custom needs include:� Eight foot hallways allowing easier mobility for wheelchairs� More space to allow for more clients and support staff� Windows for daylight� State-of-the-art training room for activities and staff training� Easier access for families, clients, and staffLocated right off I-94 on Sunset Drive, this new expansion will also

provide an increase in the economy for the Mandan area.

“We are proud to be a Mandan-based company!” Remboldtexclaims. “Every time we grow, we need more professional support staffto enhance the services provided by the direct support workers. Thoseemployees help the Mandan economy in many ways because they buylunch, groceries, and even gas over here in Mandan even though theymight live in Bismarck.”

As a company, HIT, Inc. takes pride in buying supplies locally andhiring staff from the community. Overall community involvement isalso highly valued among Remboldt and his leadership staff. Theyencourage their employees to be active in the community and arefrequent participants in organizations such as YPN and the Chamber ofCommerce, as well as volunteering at other community events.

As the CEO of HIT, Inc., Remboldt has a big vision for his company.An accounting major by trade, his passion stems from a deep love, notonly for the non-profit world, but also for the services that the companyprovides. Over the last three years, HIT, Inc. has successfully helped 16developmentally challenged individuals transition from a life ofinstitution to a life of community.

“We consider those to be huge success stories!” Remboldt says.The new building is the third construction project for the company

in the last 12 months. By the time it is completed in July 2012, theyanticipate adding up to 50 more employees, which includes direct staff,nurses, and support staff collectively. “In order to have more successstories, we need to make sure our infrastructure is ready for it. I thinkof this expansion as a necessity,” Remboldt continues, “but it’s also astepping stone. This building is just one piece of the puzzle.”WNDPB

Mandy Anderson is a Bismarck, ND-based freelance writer. She can bereached at mandy@mandybanderson.com.

Back Row: Bismarck/Mandan Chamber Ambassadors. Front Row: (left to right)John Loerch, HIT Foundation BOD - Dave Afton, HIT Foundation BOD - PaulMyerchin, HIT BOD - Bill Schuh, HIT BOD - Linda Anseth, HIT BOD - CurtWalth, HIT & Foundation BOD - Jane Porter, HIT BOD President - JimFroelich, HIT & Foundation BOD