North Dakota needs Bison World tourist destination

I’ve been blessed with the nice fortune of touring the world and launching 15 firms spanning 5 continents, together with GIANT snacks in Wahpeton. I’ve come to understand what it takes for a state or nation to develop its financial system past its core industries. After I lately reviewed the plan and monetary evaluation of the proposed Bison World attraction close to Jamestown, I knew instantly that that is the sort of undertaking North Dakota wants if we’re critical about rising and diversifying our financial system sooner or later. It would assist develop a brand new sort of workforce and add hundreds of thousands of {dollars} to our financial system.

After I joined Gov. Doug Burgum as his first Commerce commissioner, I used to be answerable for overseeing the division’s 4 divisions – Financial Growth, Workforce Growth, Neighborhood Providers and Tourism. After I reviewed the Bison World undertaking, I discovered that it match completely into all 4 of these classes. A undertaking that may accomplish a number of targets on the identical time — from financial progress to enhancing our high quality of life — is a chance I consider we should seize upon.

Additionally it is time for North Dakota to start out creating wealth from taxes and financial growth on its vacant state-owned land. For over 65 years, for the reason that interstate freeway was constructed, we’ve not turned this unimaginable location at Exit 258 right into a income producer for our state. However now, we’ve a chance to make it the house of Bison World — an attraction that can put North Dakota on the map in an space the place there isn’t a competitors and the place we’d like extra financial diversification.

The Bison World group of volunteer neighborhood leaders has accomplished its half to design and develop a world-class vacationer vacation spot. They introduced in a number of the most profitable theme park designers and monetary analysts on the planet to create this distinctive attraction. They’ve additionally labored with our state tourism director each step of the best way and at the moment are prepared to start out the undertaking.

I urge all legislators to help this unimaginable undertaking and ensure it involves fruition throughout this session of the state Legislature.