Research Reports
2012 North Dakota Statewide Housing Needs Assessment: Housing Forecast
The staff at the Center for Social Research at North Dakota State University conducted an analysis of North Dakota’s current and future housing needs. The results of the needs assessment were summarized in the 2012 North Dakota Statewide Housing Needs Assessment: Briefing Points. Detailed results of this analysis were presented in the following four formats:
Component 1. 2012 North Dakota Statewide Housing Needs Assessment: Housing Forecast
Component 2. 2012 North Dakota Statewide Housing Needs Assessment: Detailed Tables
Component 3. 2012 North Dakota Statewide Housing Needs Assessment: Survey of Stakeholders
Component 4. 2012 North Dakota Statewide Housing Needs Assessment: North Dakota Statewide Housing Assessment Resource Project (SHARP) Website Tool
A Crisis and Crossroad in Rural North Dakota Emergency Medical Services
Rural out‐of‐hospital emergency medical services (EMS) in North Dakota faces a growing and potentially dangerous crisis. On the surface, this crisis is about declining volunteerism and the difficulties associated with ensuring ambulances are appropriately staffed and able to respond when needed.
At a deeper level, this crisis is about navigating a major change in how rural EMS is led, understood, envisioned, valued and funded. It is about how rural EMS is provided, organized and supported at the local level, the regional level and the state level. The crisis presents a crossroad for rural EMS where the direction and quality of EMS will be determined by the management of this crisis.
This crisis dwarfs all other EMS issues in North Dakota and is the primary focus of this report.
An Assessment of County and Local Road Infrastructure Needs in North Dakota
The assessment responds to the North Dakota legislatures request for a study of the transportation infrastructure needs of all county and township roads in the state. In this report, infrastructure needs are estimated using the most current production forecasts, traffic estimates, and roadway condition data available. Agricultural and oil-related traffic is modeled in detail at the sub-county level. Oil-related traffic is predicted for individual spacing units, whereas agricultural production is estimated at the township level.
Dickinson 2035: Roadmap to the Future
The City of Dickinson developed a comprehensive and transportation plan to address community needs and concerns. "Dickinson 2035" establishes a plan to promote a sustainable future for the City of Dickinson.
Energy Impact Solution Models Project
The Energy Impact Solution Models Project was a continuation of the Western North Dakota Energy Impact Symposia Series, which was funded by a U.S. Department of Energy grant, secured through the efforts of U.S. Senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad and Congressman Earl Pomeroy in 2009.
The symposia series brought together national, regional and state experts to explore what North Dakota’s energy resources mean for the United States’ energy independence and security; how new technology is constantly changing the way various forms of energy are captured, transported and used; and what economic, environmental, and infrastructure impacts regional residents are experiencing.
Expansion of Quality Child Care in Williston North Dakota - A Solution-based Plan
Given the unique challenges that exist in Williston, a solution-based plan to expand quality, viable and sustainable child care in Williston will need to address three community challenges:
Competitive Wages: that allow for local low- and moderate-income families to remain in care,
Quality Staffing: qualified child care staff that may not currently exist, and
Development, Support and Expansion of Child Care Facilities: when land is at a premium.
North Dakota 2.0 The Next Chapter
North Dakotans have a long history of controlling their own destiny. It is in this spirit that the initiative called North Dakota 2.0 originated. Our state’s unprecedented economic prosperity creates a unique opportunity to write the next chapter. This report captures the thoughts and ideas of people all across the state during this important time in North Dakota. It is my hope that these findings will serve as a guide and resource for building a better tomorrow.
The Impact of Oil and Energy Development in Out-of-Hospital Emergency Medical Services
Out‐of‐hospital EMS is a vital part of the local infrastructure of Dunn, Williams, Mountrail and McKenzie counties. Around the clock, these services stand ready to respond to the emergent medical crisis of anyone _ resident, visitor or worker _ who calls for help. However, changes in socioeconomic conditions, demographics, healthcare and a rapid increase in energy exploration, drilling and extraction in the region are all having an impact on EMS.
Redefining the "Crowding Out" Effect
In the field of economic development, the Crowding Out Effect has been used to refer to the disruptions in labor markets, and the associated impacts, in response to energy booms. In this thought piece, we apply the Crowding Out Effect concept to the potential loss of long-term economic development capacity that can occur when there is a long and sustained economic boom that dominates a community or regional landscape. Prolonged booms that overwhelm the development leadership and investment capacity of an area in the short run can undermine long-term diversified economic and community development that is needed to ensure regional resilience and prosperity once the boom has abated.
West Virginia University College of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2012-15
WVU Law's study "North Dakota Expertise: A Chance to Lead in Economically and Environmentally Sustainable Hydraulic Fracturing" addresses key factors associated with the risks inherent in hydraulic fracturing. According to the study, North Dakota has emerged as the nation's, and one of the world's hottest energy economies. Ensuring the state can continue its rise toward the top in oil production will require continued and committed efforts to balance economic and environmental sustainability.
Why Rural Matters: Describing the Value of Rural North Dakota
This project is an initiative of the Rural Economic Area Partnership Investment Board (REAP) and is an effort to recognize and quantify the contributions of rural counties within the state.
For a number of years the urban areas of the United States have captured the limelight with stories of large companies’ success and growth while rural America has been characterized with articles that abound on poverty, diminishing population, health care disparities and social isolation, but few articles voice the benefits that have come from rural investment. North Dakota, especially, profits from the contributions of rural communities. Farming, mining and tourism are the largest industries in the state driving employment, as well as state revenues.
The Great Plains Center for Community Research & Service at Minot State University compiled existing data for the report.