North Dakota to spend big on infrastructure in the oil patch

AP/Fuel Fix:

North Dakota Republicans on Wednesday unveiled an $800 million one-time spending plan to address immediate problems tied to the oil boom in the western part of the state.
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The proposal includes $475 million to oil-producing counties and cities; $140 million to oil patch hub cities of Williston, Dickinson and Minot; $35 million to county schools affected by oil development; and $150 million for road projects outside of the oil patch.

North Dakota’s newfound oil riches have resulted in unprecedented demands for spending on roads, schools, public works, law enforcement and emergency medical services. Wardner said the biggest need in the state’s oil patch is for affordable housing for workers.

“We want these skilled people to stay and invest in North Dakota,” he said.

Ron Ness, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, said infrastructure needs and a shortage of workers are the biggest challenges facing North Dakota’s energy sector. The state has more than 25,000 unfilled jobs and the lowest unemployment rate in the nation, at less than 3 percent.

Ness said that “affordable housing is critical, clear and simple.”
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This is another example of how an oil boom spins off other jobs and investments and provides the funds for it at the same time.  That low unemployment rate is no accident and other areas could also be creating jobs if the Democrats and their policy of artificial scarcity can be defeated.