TravelGuides

(TGA) - JA and all you Snowbirds,

I wonder if any of you read the article today in the FT about North Dakota. It was very positive on ND, and said among other things that it is a wonderful place to start up a business, that the country was empty but the people that were there were very industrious, that ND was one of the few states that was weathering the recession well, had a suplus of cash ( what is cash? Illinois has forgotten) and that it was a great place to visit and to live. So, JA , your secret is out. This article certainly was an affirmation of all you have been saying here.

Oh yes, they did also mention the snow and the brutal winter months....

ZB
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The NYT does that every few years....as have other newspapers. Doesn't seem to be filling up the state. I was just at a conference of other government employees in my profession...they were lamenting their 4% cut through furloughs and laying off staff. We were embarassed to mention the 5% raise on each of the next 2 years because of our $1.5 billion surplus. Unfortunately the recessions seem to always hit us eventually. It just takes a little longer and its not usually has as deep of a hit. We just had a major factory employer fire another 200 people in their 1500 or so workforce which was 2500 a year ago. Must be that last line that still keeps everyone away. Chickens!
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JA,

This was in the Financial Times Aug 6th p3 bottom. "Its the nature of the North Dakota people" John Hoeven, the governor, said in an interview with the Financial Times. "They're a more conservative (sic) than the average American." He said strict banking rules and "growing tourism" were responsible for ND's economic health.

It came with a picture of a bale of hay and some reference to a "bale out" which ND does not need. I will be looking for that bale during my visit and if I find it I will post a picture here.

ZB
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The place is a secret and JA is right that this state is usually behind in inflation and in recoveries, too. The "cost" of housing is cheaper here but so are the wages, for the common worker. Selling and relocating out of state and you can take a big hit. To raise a family and for the outdoor activities this is a great place.

Former Chicago born and raised.

Malebird
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JA was that Melroe?

Malebird
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Used to be Melroe...then was Bobcat now owned by Doosan.
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