NORTH DAKOTA IS GETTING NOTICED.

HERE’S THE BEST OF THE BEST FROM THE PAST YEAR.

“As the rest of the nation sinks into a 12th grim month of recession, this state, at least up

until now, has been quietly reveling in a picture so different that it might well be on

another planet.” The New York Times

December 6, 2008

“North Dakota is enjoying an energy boom…North Dakota produces more than twice as much energy

as its 641,000 can consume.” The Economist January 29, 2009

“What ever happened to the days of low

unemployment, a decent housing market, budget surpluses; a robust economy? Those days are still here! But likely not where you are. They are where I am right now. Fargo,

North Dakota.” Anderson Cooper 360

February 26, 2009

“If family and values and time spent with your family versus in a commute are important to you, this is kind of a

great place to work and live.” CBS Evening News February 28, 2009

"We've got plenty of jobs," says Michael Ziesch, research analyst at Jobs Service North Dakota, the state's employment agency. Firms are hiring in all parts of the state and in nearly every industry.” USA Today March 24, 2009

“This proxy season, a fair number of shareholder proposals call for companies to

reincorporate—in North Dakota. In 2007, encouraged by corporate governance activists,

the state passed the Publicly Traded Corporations Act, a law considered friendly to shareholders wanting to propose directors or

have a say on executive pay.” BusinessWeek May 11, 2009

“It’s pretty amazing, [North Dakota is] one of only a couple of states to manage to balance your budget. What did you do to get it right?” CNBC “Street Signs”

May 28, 2009

“While many states scrounge for ways to repair budget deficits, North Dakota is cutting

taxes and fretting over how much of its budget surplus to spend or save.”

The Wall Street Journal June 5, 2009

“North Dakota had the nation's fastest economic growth rate in 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. The largest contributors to the 7.3% growth rate were agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishing. Its economy grew twice as fast as all other states, except Wyoming.” CNNMoney.com June 19, 2009

“The state's employment agency now fields calls from people in hard-hit cities like Phoenix and Miami who want to know

how to get a job in North Dakota.” TIME

July 6, 2009

“North Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate in the country at 4.2% vs. the national average of 9.5%. The state is also an innovator in technology, wind power, coal, conversion of coal into natural gas and 5th in the country in oil production.” Fox Business Network July 28, 2009

“Since 2000, we have not only gained jobs consistently and in a variety of industries,

but now we’re getting population…and we’re bringing people back.”

Bloomberg Radio “On the Economy” July 28, 2009

“North Dakota has the largest annual population increase since 2000.” CNNMoney.com July 29, 2009

“As Saudi Arabia is to oil, so too North Dakota could be to wind power.”

BBC Radio August 3, 2009

“North Dakota is one of only 3 states slashing income taxes this year.” Fox News “Your World with Neil Cavuto” August 4, 2009

“Most states have been struggling with falling payrolls and rising foreclosures.

However, wintry North Dakota has been an oasis of relative stability, welcoming displaced workers and using its budget

surplus to recruit overburdened companies with attractive tax

incentives.” Financial Times August 6, 2009

“Open space and open jobs, which is why Morgan and thousands of others have moved to North Dakota during the past year. The state, once known primarily for its remoteness, is enjoying a new reputation as a haven amid economic collapse nationwide” Washington Post, August 14, 2009