Looking for a job?

Happening right now: Statewide unemployment of 4.3%. In the western part of the state housing is scarce and most motels are booked up. The labor shortage is so critical that even McDonalds will pay a $300 bonus for those willing to work.

Where? North Dakota. They've discovered how to extract oil from oil shale in western North Dakota. The article predicts in ten years it could be the number one state for oil production.

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North Dakota may have good news but the other economic news is continually depressing. Consumer confidence is back down, the dollar is stronger (which may sound good, but it won't help demand for US products) and today they revised consumer demand for the last three months of 2009 to be weaker than earlier stated.