2015-09-14

By ND Commerce
The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced an $828,929 tribal college grant for Cankdeska Cikana Community College located on the Spirit Lake Dakota reservation in Fort Totten, ND. The grant will support the College efforts to enhance their professional driver degree program, construction management program and the business development center.

The Legislature authorized $3 million in workforce development grants for tribally controlled community colleges to support degree or certificate programs that qualify students to earn highly recruited jobs in the state. They also provide assistance to students to establish new businesses operating within North Dakota that will employ North Dakotans.

“This is a great investment for North Dakota but also a good example of positive collaboration for the improvement of lives in an area that is economically disadvantaged, stated Cynthia Lindquist, president of Cankdeska Cikana Community College.  “Education and training opportunities are investments for the future.”

The Department of Commerce administers the grants through an application process. Recipients report back to the Department on several factors including expenditures, number of students assisted, graduation rates, new or improved training or other programs leading to a certificate or degree, job placement rates, rate of students assisted who seek further educational opportunities, and the number of jobs or businesses created.

“Tribal Colleges in North Dakota continue to serve a critical role across our state in providing education and training needed to fulfill their career goals,” North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Al Anderson said. “This tribal college grant will increase the colleges’ ability to prepare students for our growing statewide economy.”

The North Dakota Department of Commerce works to improve the quality of life for North Dakota citizens by leading efforts to attract, retain and expand wealth. Commerce serves businesses and communities statewide through committed people and partners who offer valuable programs and dynamic services.

For more North Dakota news and information go to www.NDCommerce.com.

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