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Basin Electric makes donation to future technology institute

Basin Electric is the first major contributor to a capital campaign by Bismarck State College for a Career and Technology Institute.

Dakota Gasification Company - April 12, 2004

BSC President Donna Thigpen accepts a $2 million check from Ron Harper, Basin Electric CEO & general manager, on June 30, 2003.

Construction of the 70,000-square-foot Career and Technology Institute will allow BSC to expand its workforce training, energy programs and higher education offerings. The facility will house a National Energy Technology Training and Education Center, Workforce Training Center, and Higher Education Center.

"BSC has provided training and development services to the employees and departments of Basin Electric for more than 25 years," Harper said. "The Power Plant and Process Plant Technology Programs at the college are the only programs of their type and scope in the nation, and have been particularly beneficial to Basin Electric by providing well-trained and qualified job candidates for our power plants and the Synfuels Plant." In the next 10 years, Harper said Basin Electric will experience considerable turnover in its workforce: about 34 percent at Basin Electric and about 20 percent at Dakota Gasification Company's Great Plains Synfuels Plant.

"Basin Electric will be pro-active in meeting these future employment challenges and Bismarck State College will be a major player in assisting us in this effort," Harper said. "In addition to the Power Plant and Process Plant Technology Programs, the college is posturing to meet a broad range of training needs in other areas that will benefit the utility industry, including online programs in Electric Power Technology and Electrical Transmission Systems Technology."

Basin Electric and DGC directors approved the $2 million donation June 11. "This commitment shows that Basin Electric is truly an employer of choice," Harper said.

In expressing her gratitude to Basin Electric, Thigpen said the presence of the Career and Technology Institute would be a defining moment in the history of BSC. "This takes the college to the next level, with far-reaching benefits and the potential to address national and international energy training needs," she said.

"The Institute will create jobs and help us address higher education and training needs in this area. It also will position us to have a huge positive impact on economic development in the area and the state because we can expand our online offerings," Thigpen said. "Most of the tuition paid for our online energy programs is from out of state, which is primary sector economic development."

The Career and Technology Institute will be built on seven acres of land donated to BSC from the city of Bismarck in January. Estimated cost of construction, furnishings and equipment is $9.8 million. Construction could begin in 2005.

It is estimated that by the year 2010, the Center will serve 6,000 students annually, with the majority of those students enrolled in the utility industry related programs.

"The $2 million gift from Basin Electric sets the pace for the rest of the campaign," said BSC Vice President of College Advancement Gordon Binek, who is heading the capital campaign. Binek said he is getting enthusiastic responses for the $10 million campaign. "It's gratifying to see that the energy industry is leading the way. Basin Electric's gift is an investment in addressing the needs of maintaining a highly skilled workforce in the energy industry. It takes a number of major gifts to make a campaign work, and we are visiting with other companies regarding their investment."

BSC is also seeking public funds to help with the project.