North Dakota: God's Country -- Where Telephone Calls to Heaven Are "Local Calls"

Larry sent this to me; no source. If it is copyright of if the originator of the information does not want it posted, let me know and I will take it down.

This is why I love North Dakota, and why North Dakota is truly "God's country.

• North Dakota has a budget surplus of some $800 million dollars in the bank.
• Every time the price of gas goes up, my future property taxes are either going to drop or stay the same.
• Every property owner in the state received a REDUCTION in the property taxes for the next 4 years, guaranteed. (The state spent some of our surplus $ on school districts - which allowed corresponding property taxes to drop).
• The $800M surplus above is AFTER the property taxes were reduced.
• College students that are ND residents or whose parents are, can borrow money from the state owned Bank of North Dakota can now borrow at a rate of 1.78%, variable rate, with a 10 year payback.
• The homicide number in North Dakota for 2009 was 2 (yes, that's 2)
• The town of Rugby is the geographical center of North America. A tall stone obelisk marks the location.
• North Dakota was the first state to complete its interstate highway system.
• The parking meter was invented in North Dakota
• North Dakota is the only state in the nation to never have an earthquake.
• Dakota Gasification Company in Beulah is the nation's only synthetic natural gas producer. (And Montana's governor bragged about it on national television!)
• North Dakota has 60 wildlife refuges, more than any other state, and all are managed for waterfowl production.
• North Dakota has more miles of road per capita than any other state - approximately 166 miles of road for every 1,000 people.
• If North Dakota seceded from the Union, it would be the world's third strongest nuclear power.
• North Dakota has the highest number of millionaires per capita than any other state.
• Did you know that North Dakota leads the nation in the production of just about every crop is raises. The state is first in spring wheat, durum wheat, sunflowers, barley, a dry edible beans, pinto beans, canola, flaxseed, all dry edible peas, honey, lentils, and oats. [Some of these may drop off the list as farmers switch to corn for ethanol.]
• Did you know that the highest temperature ever recorded in North Dakota was 121 degrees at Steele in July of 1936? Or that the lowest was -60 degrees at Parshall during the last ice age (kidding, but not about the temperature) in February 1936?
• The fastest-growing city in the state is West Fargo, which has soared from 14,910 residents in 2000 to more than 21,000 last year.
• What is the Sturnella neglecta? It's the scientific name of the state's bird. Can you name it? It's the western meadowlark, a songbird often found on fence posts or signs chirping away.
• Fore! Did you know that North Dakota has more Golf Courses per capita than any other state?
• Ranks #1 as the safest state to live in.
• Is one of only eight states with a growing economy
• Ranks 6th highest in state economic competitiveness. (Beacon Hill Institute, 12/05)
• Had the second highest per capita income growth from 2000-2005. (Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2005)
• Has more coastline than California due to Lake Sakakawea! (50states.com)
• Fargo-Moorhead ranked as one of America's top "Business Opportunity Metros" for 2005.
• Ranks #1 for rate of high school completion.
• Was one of only two states to increase manufacturing jobs from 2000-2004.
• I still leave my garage door unlocked when I am gone so that my neighbor can borrow something if he needs it, (and so does he).
• North Dakota, despite over 50 % of the population owning guns, and despite being ranked #4 by the Brady gun-control people, is one of the safest states in which to live.