Newswise — The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota is celebrating its fifth consecutive record year in contract awards. In the 12-month period ending June 30, 2008 (FY08), the EERC received $95 million in new contract awards. To date, $40 million of those new contract dollars are available to spend immediately.
The dollar value of contract awards at the EERC has dramatically grown over the past 5 years, with FY08 contract awards more than double the contract awards in FY03. With 433 active contracts (over 80% with industry) in FY08, the EERC's total research portfolio (total value of all contracts currently in place) is now more than $200 million, which includes multiyear awards. "One of our greatest challenges is keeping up with the number of opportunities," said EERC Director Gerald Groenewold. "The global interest in the EERC's capabilities has seen dramatic increases in the past few years."
The EERC's new contract awards will result in an annual economic impact of approximately $100 million in the Grand Forks region. Currently, the EERC has more than 320 employees representing 120 different disciplines, with 20 new positions currently advertised.
"The bottom line is the world is coming to Grand Forks, North Dakota, and new commercialization opportunities present themselves continually, which leads to endless new opportunities for high-quality job growth in our region," said Groenewold.
The EERC is recognized as one of the world's leading developers of cleaner, more efficient energy technologies as well as environmental technologies to protect and clean our air, water, and soil. The EERC has a market-driven, entrepreneurial culture which fosters working partnerships with private industry, government, and research clients. Since 1987, the EERC has had more than 1000 clients in all 50 states and 50 countries.
"The EERC has carefully positioned itself over the years in a number of strategic energy and environmental topic areas which are drawing an ever-increasing number of clients from all over the world. Our unique culture is one of the cornerstones of our success," said Groenewold. "I want to recognize our Congressional Delegation, and specifically, Senator Byron Dorgan, who has been one of our greatest supporters for many years. Senator Dorgan has continued to secure cornerstone funding that drives strategic research and development at the EERC to achieve energy security for our nation and provide economic opportunities for his Red River Valley Research Corridor and Energy Corridor," he said.
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