Silicon Prairie? ND leaders confident state could be next Silicon Valley

Business and political leaders say North Dakota’s budget surplus and lack of “massive socioeconomic problems” makes the Midwestern state ideal for technology companies to grow, the Fargo Forum reports. Republican Sen. John Hoeven said, “We are definitely driving energy development in the United States, but I don’t think people realize how much we’re driving technology development as well.”

The oil boom in western North Dakota has generated billions of dollars and created thousands of new jobs in and outside the oil-rich region.