EDITOR’S NOTE

What an issue we’re delivering to you today. And what fun it has been to put it together, given the number of stories that cover fascinating and important new developments in our region.

Start with the cover story about the growth and success of Digi-Key Electronics in Thief River Falls, Minn. For weeks I’ve been checking the Wall Street Journal’s website, because I’m convinced the DigiKey story is of national interest, and I expect to find it on the Journal’s front page sometime soon.

The struggles of rural America played a role in the presidential election and have been much-talked-about ever since. But throughout it all, Digi-Key has been growing, and now the company has committed to adding another thousand workers (it already employs 3,300) to its workforce in rural Thief River Falls.

Digi-Key should expect the Journal – and the New York Times and the Washington Post – to come calling.

Speaking of rural America, you’ll not find an organization that’s making a bigger difference in that area than the Helmsley Charitable Trust, also profiled in this issue. The trust has spent more than $320 million on boosting rural health care training and delivery in the upper Midwest in just the past eight years.

Then there’s word about the vital role technology is playing in the region’s architecture offices; we’ve come a long way from pencils, T-squares and drafting paper, that’s for sure.

Top it off with (among other features) a report about innovative New Technology High School in the Sioux Falls School District, and we think you’re in for a treat. PB

Good reading, Tom Dennis

I welcome your feedback and story ideas. Call me at 701-780-1276 or email me at tdennis@prairiebusinessmagazine.com.

PUBLISHER KORRIE WENZEL

AD DIRECTOR STACI LORD EDITOR TOM DENNIS

CIRCULATION MANAGER BETH BOHLMAN

LAYOUT DESIGN, AD DESIGN JASON MAGSTADT SARA SLABY KRIS WOLFF

ACCOUNT MANAGER NICHOLE ERTMAN 800.477.6572 ext. 1162 nertman@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

Prairie Business magazine is published monthly by the Grand Forks Herald and Forum Communications Company with offices at 375 2nd Avenue North, Grand Forks, ND 58203. Subscriptions are available free of charge. Back issue quantities are limited and subject to availability ($2/copy prepaid). The opinions of writers featured in Prairie Business are their own. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, artwork are encouraged but will not be returned without a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Subscriptions are free www.prairiebusinessmagazine.com

ADDRESS CORRECTIONS

Prairie Business magazine Box 6008 Grand Forks, ND 58206-6008 Beth Bohlman: bbohlman@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

ONLINE www.prairiebusinessmagazine.com