Submitted Photo AGT President /CEO Murad Al-Katib, left, and Minot Area Development Corp.’s 2016 chairman Steve Bigelow are shown in this photo.

Founded in 1955, Minot Area Development Corp. was formed to diversify and stabilize Minot’s economy.

With changes in leadership and the local economy, MADC implemented a new strategic plan in 2016, which uncovered MADC’s new mission and direction to best serve the Minot community. Today, MADC’s mission is to facilitate business attraction, expansion, retention, and advocacy to diversify and strengthen the Minot area.

Over the last year, MADC has achieved significant accomplishments on a city level, statewide, and internally.

MADC helped support and facilitate AGT Foods (MADC’s anchor tenant at the Industrial Park of Minot) who completed a $30 million expansion and created 20-plus new jobs.

MADC also secured a new business to Minot, SkySkopes. SkySkopes is a leading drone service provider, who’s been recognized nationally for servicing the oil and gas industry. SkySkopes will deliver a capital investment of $2.3 million to Minot and create 15 high-paying jobs in the first three years of operations in the Minot office. SkySkopes has committed to make Minot the Unmanned Aircraft Systems headquarters for Bakken operations, which aligns with the exciting new initiative launched by MADC called MAGIC Sky. In 2016, MADC was awarded a state-wide grant in support of the MAGIC Sky initiative, which enabled MADC to attend a trade mission to Norway.

MADC also accomplished immense milestones internally; with the implementation of a new strategic plan, a new website, a new investor platform, rebranding, and many other strategic changes to fulfill MADC’s mission and best serve the Minot community. MADC’s internal changes have improved the organization’s transparency city-wide and partnerships across the state.

MADC looks forward to furthering the development of the MAGIC Sky initiative in 2017. This initiative represents the tremendous potential for Minot to fill a niche in the UAS industry, it combines strategic partners across the state to promote Minot as a top-destination for UAS companies. With the development of the MAGIC Sky initiative, MADC’s goal is to bring new businesses to the Minot area, create new jobs, increase the local tax base, and grow and diversify Minot’s economy. For more information regarding the MAGIC Sky initiative, please visit: http://minotusa.com/key-industries/uas/.

Another key initiative in 2017 is the development of the Industrial Park of Minot. MADC has 800 acres ready for new and expanding businesses, including 150 acres that are rail served and shovel ready. The Industrial Park of Minot is uniquely positioned at the intersection of 2 Class 1 Railroads (BNSF & CP) and has the convenient access of 3 U.S. highways (Highway 83, Highway 2, Highway 52). This prime property is zoned with city services available, including water, sewer, gas, & electric. MADC primarily targets the energy, value-agriculture, distribution, and UAS industries; as Minot is the Gateway to the energy-rich Bakken region, a top-ranking producer of 15 ag commodities, offers distribution advantages nationwide, and fills a niche in the UAS industry. Contact MADC at 701-852-1075 for more information about advantageous property available. MADC is dedicated to building and supporting a resilient, sustainable, and diversified economy to ensure Minot is the right location for businesses and families.