The North Dakota Equity Incentive Plan is a comprehensive program designed to attract and retain top talent in the state by providing various equity-based incentives to employees. This plan encourages employee ownership and participation in the growth and success of North Dakota-based companies. Under the North Dakota Equity Incentive Plan, employees are granted equity or ownership stakes in the company they work for. These equity incentives can take various forms, such as stock options, restricted stock units (RSS), phantom stock, or employee stock purchase plans (ESPN). The specific type of equity incentive offered depends on the company's structure and objectives. One type of equity incentive included in the North Dakota Equity Incentive Plan is stock options. Stock options give employees the right to purchase a certain number of company shares at a predetermined price, known as the exercise price. This enables employees to benefit from the company's future growth by purchasing shares at a price lower than their potential value. Another type of equity incentive is restricted stock units (RSS). RSS are grants of company stock that vest over a period of time or upon achieving specific performance milestones. Once vested, employees receive the shares outright, becoming shareholders and benefiting from any appreciation in the stock's value. Phantom stock is another component of the North Dakota Equity Incentive Plan. With phantom stock, employees are granted notional units that represent the value of a certain number of company shares. Although employees do not own the actual shares, they receive cash payments equivalent to the increase in value of the phantom stock. Employee stock purchase plans (ESPN) are also part of the North Dakota Equity Incentive Plan. These plans allow employees to purchase company stock at a discounted price through payroll deductions, usually within set offering periods. ESPN aim to create a sense of ownership and alignment among employees, as they can participate in the company's success and potentially benefit from its stock price appreciation. In summary, the North Dakota Equity Incentive Plan is a comprehensive approach to promote employee ownership and engagement in North Dakota-based companies. It offers different types of equity incentives, including stock options, restricted stock units, phantom stock, and employee stock purchase plans. These incentives enable employees to participate in the growth and success of their companies, fostering a motivated and committed workforce.