North Dakota tries to woo workers for empty jobs
March 17, 2014 6:12 PM ET
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BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota officials are sending a plea to people across the country: We need you.
The state's unprecedented oil bonanza has made it the economic darling of the nation — boasting a sturdy economy, a state government budget surplus, and its highest population ever, as swarms of people have migrated to North Dakota. But it hasn't been enough, officials say, citing some 25,000 more jobs than takers in all industries in the state.
Hoping to woo workers to fill those jobs, Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley and the North Dakota Economic Development Foundation on Monday unveiled a "Find the Good Life in North Dakota" campaign at the state Capitol in Bismarck.
"These are exciting times in our state," said Wrigley, who called the lack of an adequate workforce one of "the challenges of prosperity."
The $800,000 campaign is being paid for equally by tax-supported state funds and a donation by Hess Corp., a New York based oil company. The campaign will rely on media advertising and a state website that is expected to be running in May. Specific details of the campaign have yet to be released.
Officials said in a statement that the campaign will focus on career opportunities in North Dakota and promoting the state as "a great place to live, work and raise a family." It will target states with "chronic unemployment" and will attempt to lure skilled workers of various occupations, from engineering to nursing. The effort also will target military veterans, and those who will soon leave the armed services, officials said.
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