North Dakota - Empty and Alone

I get in a lot of trouble with people I care about when I say what I'm about to say. From a distance North Dakota is pretty bleak. Oh, sure, there's Fargo, Bismarck, Oil Boom, and a few other towns. But mostly ND is on a huge downward slope.

Drive the stretch up and down Highway 281 and 75 miles either side of that line and the stretch up and down ND highway 8 and there is a long way between Hamms Beer signs. Ghost towns and empty space.

National Geographic in the January issue has a pictorial of the whole scene. And a story about the emptied prairie. It's pretty grim.

I have argued for a long time about programs and plans that would work to get Small Town North Dakota back on the track. I think it's been deaf ears.

In today's Wall Street Journal there is an article how the Dakotas are trying to lure ex residents back. It's a good idea but you need to change the perspective. I can't and won't come back because the economics just aren't there. Sure, there are a few jobs that pay OK. There is some economic development. But the depth isn't there. If you get fired from that 60 grand job your next stop is minimum wage at the C store. There is no employment depth.

In the Fall of 2002 I wrote a book and sent copies to Legislators. It's on line here. A free thinking book that asked the hard question, what could and should be done.

The conclusion of that book is this: All economic development efforts are useless without people. People are the base unit of economic development. Do all you can do to entice people to move to ND no matter what kind of people. Ask the question, is what we are doing in this public policy driving people away are inviting them to come. That has to do with taxes, hunting policy, tourism, tuition, regulation and many other things.

This is a tough issue and the National Geographic didn't help. Don't expect them to. North Dakota is not an inviting place. It should be.

I guess those of you who still live in the state, Rob, Whistler and I don't know for sure who else It's time to ask some hard questions of policy makers. The future of the state relies on the decisions they are making.