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The Urban Plains Center opened in Fargo in October (photo courtesy of the Urban Plains Center)

Building Boom: Event center growth continues in region

New arenas opened in Fargo and Rapid City, SD, late last year, a new events center is planned in Aberdeen, SD, a hockey arena is under construction in Crookston, MN, and officials in Sioux Falls and Brookings, SD, are mulling major event center expansion plans.

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In-Forum Web Icon New era of events centers
In-Forum Web Icon Sioux Falls officials ponder new events center
In-Forum Web Icon Fargo's new Urban Plains Center opens
In-Forum Web Icon Bemidji Regional Event Center
In-Forum Web Icon Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Ice Arena


The Alerus Center opened in 2001 in Grand Forks, ND (photo courtesy of the Alerus Center). The facility is attached to the Canad Inns hotel that opened in 2007.

New era of arenas

Modern buildings offering the latest in technology have popped up across North Dakota, South Dakota and western Minnesota throughout the last decade, replacing the events centers of previous generations. The remaining older facilities continue to make improvements and find ways to compete with their newer neighbors.

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In-Forum Web Icon Building Boom: Event center growth continues in the region
In-Forum Web Icon Ralph Engelstad Arena (Grand Forks, ND)
In-Forum Web Icon Ralph Engelstad Arena (Thief River Falls, MN)
In-Forum Web Icon FARGODOME


The Sioux Falls Arena opened in 1961, but lacks enough seating capacity to host larger concerts and modern amenities present in newer facilities (photo courtesy of Sioux Falls Arena)

Sioux Falls officials ponder new facility

A task force is considering a number of options to upgrade Sioux Falls' arena and meeting space, including building a large new arena or expanding the existing convention center to keep pace with newer and larger facilities in other cities.

The Urban Plains Center in Fargo is the home arena of the USHL's Fargo Force and hosted the 2009 International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 18 Championship in April (photo courtesy of the Urban Plains Center)

Urban Plains Center opens in Fargo

The $25 million Urban Plains Center opened in October 2008 in Fargo and is the first phase of a planned $44 million tournament facility complex that could eventually include as many as five ice sheets (photo courtesy of Urban Plains Center)

Bismarck Airport

Community profile: Bismarck/Mandan

Bismarck, the capital of North Dakota, is also home to the University of Mary, Bismarck State College, the state penitentiary, two major health care systems, two major utility companies and a number of other large employers. The neighboring community of Mandan is also coming into its own, adding waterfront residential development along the Missouri River where world-class fishing and hunting can be enjoyed a short boat ride away.

Daktronics a major league player in sports arena

Daktronics scoreboards can be found in most major league and major college sports stadiums and arenas across the country. The company is also the world leader in full-color Light Emitting Diode (LED) video and messaging displays.

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In-Forum Web Icon Brookings headquarters facility
In-Forum Web Icon Xcel Energy Center
In-Forum Web Icon Target Field
In-Forum Web Icon TCF Bank Stadium


Fargo-based Coaches Choice recently purchased a Seit Elettronica laser bridge system, taking advantage of lower interest rates and a cheaper price to invest in new technology for the future.

Economy offers opportunities for businesses

A down economy may be the right time to invest in equipment, infrastructure to prepare for the future.

One of a number of murals that have been painted on the walls of buildings in Wadena, MN, as part of an effort to create the world's largest picture puzzle and draw more attention to the community

Murals may put Minnesota community on the map

Wadena, MN, is attempting to become more of a destination for passing motorists and bring more attention to the community by leading an effort to get listed in the Guinness Book of World Records in the process by painting the blank exterior walls of buildings in town into painted puzzle pieces showcasing 1,000 years of Minnesota history and creating the world’s largest picture puzzle.

Roger Johnson, president, National Farmers Union

Q&A with Roger Johnson, president, National Farmers Union

Looking out of his seventh floor window on the bustling Washington, D.C. streets below, former North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson was literally still unpacking when he agreed to meet with Prairie Business for a question-and-answer session about becoming president of the National Farmers Union earlier this year.

Prairie Pillar: SJE-Rhombus

For the last 21 years SJE-Rhombus, a Detroit Lakes, MN, area manufacturer and distributor of reliable flow switches and control systems for water, wastewater, sump and sewage systems, has been 100 percent employee owned. SJE-Rhombus has recently been named one of the best places to work in the country and has also been listed among the nation’s fastest-growing companies.

Economy facing a slow 'bathtub recovery'

It appears our economy is nearing the bottom of the recession, but it is important to realize that reaching the bottom doesn’t mean the recovery is at hand. This is especially true in rural America.

Brad Seymour (left) of Scott's Express in Grand Forks, ND, and intern Shawn Smith

Operation Intern helping North Dakota employers

Operation Intern, a program administered by the workforce development division of the North Dakota Department of Commerce, has made more than 200 employment connections like this since it was launched in March 2008.

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In-Forum Web Icon Click here to find out more about the Operation Intern program


Benchmarking helps businesses measure themselves against competitors

As a business manager, it is important to compare key statistics with industry related enterprises to measure performance. Ratios like gross profit margin, inventory turnover, accounts receivable days outstanding, net profit as a percentage of sales and return on investment are critical.

Jim Johnson, president of Alternative Energy Professionals, stands in front of a model home he designed in Worthing, SD, to run on both solar energy and electricity.

South Dakota home harnesses solar power

Jim Johnson is using a model home in Worthing, SD, to demonstrate to homeowners and home builders how simple and effective solar energy has become in recent years.

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In-Forum Web Icon The history of solar power


Is your business ready for the recovery?

While most businesses are complaining about the recession, a few are preparing for the recovery. They know a lull in business offers the ideal time to tune up their operation. Don’t waste this opportunity. If you want to be ready for the recovery, now is the time to simplify, streamline and optimize your organization for the future.

Prairie Pulse

Check out our new blog, Prairie Pulse, and sound off about the economy and regional business news.


Prairie Perspective

Check out former editor Rick Killion's new blog, Prairie Perspective, for casual observations about life, travel, growing older, retirement, working part time, and other topics.


Tune in to the Hear It Now radio program at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14. Host Merrill Piepkorn and Prairie Business Editor Ryan Schuster will discuss new and renovated arenas and convention centers in the region with Lance Johnson of the Urban Plains Center, Charlie Jeske of the Bismarck Civic Center and Lonnie Laffen of JLG Architects. Previous monthly radio shows can be heard by streaming audio at the Prairie Public website.

Updated 07/01/2009

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