BRIC Announces Roadmap Consultants
By John Edison, Grand Forks Herald, N.D.
Feb. 7–The Grand Forks Region Base Realignment Impact Committee selected a Virginia company to complete the first of five federally funded roadmap studies geared toward decreasing the community’s dependence on Grand Forks Air Force Base.
Initial results
Preliminary results from the study, which examines economic development opportunities related to the unmanned aircraft systems industry, will be available during the Red River Research Corridor UAS Action Summit in March.
Modern Technology Solutions Inc. will partner with Grand Forks-based CEO Praxis Inc. to develop the roadmap.
BRIC is a partnership of a variety of local entities that works to analyze the impact the realignment of Grand Forks Air Force Base will have on the region. The KC-135R Stratotankers currently at the base are slated to be relocated by the end of 2010. The base’s new mission will focus on unmanned aerial vehicles. The UAS study is one of five roadmap studies that will be completed in Grand Forks County.
Federal fundsBRIC received more than $350,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment for the studies, as well as other in-kind donations and $5,000 from both the city of Grand Forks and the county.
Ed Nierode, Grand Forks County’s BRIC member, said Modern Technology Solutions will bring a wealth of UAS experience to the table, while CEO Praxis provides local expertise for the project.
Nierode said the committee is also finalizing a deal to hire Montana-based Access Consulting to complete a broadband business development study, which is designed to evaluate the region’s needs for Internet access.
Aiding developmentIn addition to the UAS industry and Internet access, the studies will explore opportunities to spur economic development in the energy and life sciences industries and master planning for economic development.
Edison reports on business. Reach him at (701) 780-1107, (800) 477-6572, ext. 107; or jedison@gfherald.com.
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Copyright (c) 2007, Grand Forks Herald, N.D.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.
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