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Job-Rich N. Dakota Lures the Unemployed

State jobless rate is 4.2%

By Sarah Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 14, 2009 2:37 PM CDT

(Newser) – North Dakota, not usually known for much other than open space, has suddenly become a job-seeker's paradise. The state of just over 640,000 has 9,000 open jobs and employs a recruiter who works full-time to lure workers, the Washington Post reports. "In North Dakota, it is pretty much possible to do anything, anywhere," she said. One who answered the call is Janet Morgan, a 63-year-old from Ohio.

After months of searching for a position near her home in Ohio, Morgan recently packed her truck and drove 1,000 miles for a call center job in Bismarck. "I'm half-tempted to call this all a big mistake and turn around," she said. But she stayed. Within a day, she had purchased a three-bedroom mobile home—for $7,500—and started work.

The state government in North Dakota just passed $400 million in tax cuts.
The state government in North Dakota just passed $400 million in tax cuts.   (©sirrobot)
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North Dakota ranks second to last in housing foreclosures and third to last in average credit card debt. Mining, construction and agriculture all recently surged by at least 10 percent. - Washington Post

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
wwwonderer
Aug 18, 2009 4:22 AM CDT
0-3/4 and blind hit the nail on the head. How many of these jobs have opportunity for growth and advancement? Call center? So basically jobs for RELATIVELY unskilled workers. There are WAY to many jobs like that. And that doesn't mean that people can live and survive, it just seems like a bad idea to move 1,000 miles for a call center job.
Yourself
Aug 17, 2009 5:36 AM CDT
how'd I get a thumbsdown for stating a fact that North Dakota voted red in the elections??? it's a FACT!!!!! flippin morons!
cognitivefilter
Aug 15, 2009 5:05 AM CDT
really pretty out there, fargo is a pretty hip place too

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