Forbes Ranks North Dakota 2nd for Business and Credits the Bakken - Video

Forbes has ranked the state of North Dakota second for business. The study credits the Bakken Shale for North Dakota's promising economic metrics. When looking at the economy alone, North Dakota tops the list. The state can boast about the following annual averages over the past five years: 3.7% job growth, 3.8% income growth, 7.9% gross state product growth, and 3.6% unemployment (just 2.7% today).

Forbes says “Credit the development of the Bakken oil shale fields in the western part of the state for much of that growth...

The study looks at six important factors:

  • Costs
  • Labor supply
  • Regulatory environments
  • Current economic climate
  • Growth prospects
  • Quality of life

My guess is "Labor Supply" is the only thing keeping North Dakota from being #1!

See the top 25 states for business at forbes.com

Bakken Job Fair Planned In Minot on June 26, 2013

Bakken Job Fair - Minot

Bakken Job Fair - Minot

Rigzone is hosting a Bakken Oil & Gas Career Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at the Grand International Hotel in Minot, North Dakota.

Oil and gas professionals will be able to speak with recruiting representatives from industry leading companies.

Pre-registration is recommended at www.dicecareerfairs.com where attendees will be able to find a list of participating companies in the weeks leading up to the event.

Admission is free and the Grand International Hotel is located at 1505 North Broadway in Minot, North Dakota.

About Rigzone

Rigzone, a Dice Holdings Inc. service, is a leading online resource for the oil and gas industry that delivers content, data, advertising and career services. Dedicated to bringing upstream oil and gas news and data, including in-depth information on exploration, drilling and production markets to organizations tackling the energy challenge, its online community of highly-skilled and experienced energy professionals is unmatched.

The article above was published through BakkenShale.com`s press release distribution service.

North Dakota Employment Grew By 100,000+ Since 2000

ND Unemployment Rate By County

It's well documented that North Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate in the country. A new report by the ND Department of Commerce provides details on why.

ND has added more than 100,000 jobs since 2000 or, put another way, has grown employment from 327,700 to 429,800 workers (30+%). There's no doubt, Bakken job growth has played a significant role.

Commerce Commissioner Al Anderson said. “We have added over 70,000 new jobs in the past five years and as we continue to focus on greater economic diversification, we will see even more jobs created. These figures are evidence that our plan for economic growth is working and providing more jobs and opportunities for North Dakota families.”

It should be no surprise, but the lowest unemployment rates are found where the Bakken is being developed. Click on the North Dakota map above to see unemployment rates by county.

Bakken Job Fair in Williston Draws Over 1,300

Bakken Job Fair in Williston
Bakken Job Fair in Williston

The Bakken job fair held yesterday in Williston was sold out to employers and the number of job applicants that came didn't disappoint. Local officials only expected 600-700 people, but more than 1,300 came through the doors while the show was open.

Some of the job seekers even spent the night in their car to make sure they were one of the first in the door.

With the success of this event, I'm going out on a limb and going to say I bet we see more job fairs in the near future.

If you're looking now, visit our Bakken Jobs Board.