Microsoft's Second-Largest Campus Is In Fargo, North Dakota -- Nice Article on North Dakota -- The Bakken and Agriculture -- Must See TV

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In recent weeks, North Dakota has been in the news because of the historic and damaging flooding of the Missouri and Souris Rivers. But as the waters subside, it's worth focusing on the state's economy. For at a time of stagnant wages and a high unemployment rate, this vast, lightly populated Peace Garden State is one of the few places in America where jobs are plentiful.

In May nonfarm payroll employment was up 4.3 percent from the year before, and the unassuming state sported a gaudy 3.2 percent unemployment rate. In several counties, the rate is below one percent. The state's job office has 15,205 listings, up 64 percent from May 2010. North Dakota, which is one of the smallest states by population (about 670,000) and one of the largest geographically, has .7 unemployed persons for every job opening. In the U.S., the labor force participation rate is an anemic 64.2 percent. In North Dakota, it stands at 74 percent.

Includes a video.

Two sectors noted:

• oil
• agriculture

Without bragging, state officials will let you know that the state is the largest single producer in the U.S. of fourteen crops, including barley, canola, durum wheat and navy beans. As more people around the world eat — and eat better — North Dakota's farmers are finding new markets and plowing funds into equipment and processing capabilities. "We've seen phenomenal growth in our export markets, triple digit growth in the last few years," said John Mittleider, manager of agriculture and energy development at the North Dakota Department of Commerce.

And yet, 45 percent of jobs are on the east side of the state:

Officials note that 45 percent of the job openings in the state are in the eastern Red River Valley. Beyond energy — wind farms, coal mining, a new power plant under construction in Spiritwood — the state has a small technology sector and a larger health care one. Microsoft's campus in Fargo is the technology giant's second-largest one outside of its home base in Redmond, Washington.

"They" failed to mention that North Dakota is also number one in honey production, far ahead of #2, California.