A worker uses a boom arm to pour cement that forms the base of the chimney at the Leland Olds Power Plant near Stanton.

North Dakotans recognize the importance of the energy industry in the Midwest. Paired with agriculture and small business, it’s a way of life in rural communities, where employment within the energy sector is critical to their stability, sustainability and future.

Both permanent workers and seasonal construction staff contribute to the dynamics of small towns. Certainly long-time workers have purchased homes and built lives around their employment at plants or mines – but turnaround help brings much appreciated retail dollars into each community, albeit seasonally.

Surrounded by both cropland and mines, along the banks of the Missouri River, Washburn residents find employment primarily in agricultural or energy-related business and industry. Several businesses cater to farming – from equipment sales and repair to fertilizers, seeds and elevators, as both men and women make daily commutes to one of several area power plants or mines. Centrally located between a handful of differing employment opportunities, residents have experienced a slow but steady growth since the initial power plant construction in the 1970s. The impact was greatest then, but new homes continue to grow the town into the present. And as long-term workers prepare for retirement, new faces slowly trickle into the community.

Seasonal crews mix and mingle as the plants continually update and modernize their facilities. Seasonal pipe fitters, steel workers and boiler makers at Beulah find employment with scheduled maintenance or upgrades to area plants and mines. These turnaround crews from out of state find temporary housing solutions at area RV or mobile home parks. Similarly, folks nearing retirement seek housing transitions. A full gamete of health care services (medical, vision, dental and chiropractic clinics) encourage this aging group to stay, however Beulah residents continue working toward expanding senior housing opportunities. Despite overturns to employment, the town flourishes around plant work. Quality jobs create stability and balance in this rural community, allowing the town to grow restaurants, main street businesses and an industrial park. New business and retirements generate fresh faces in the neighborhood, building new single-family homes. Enticed by employment opportunities and recreation at Lake Sakakawea, incoming residents find a balanced community at Beulah.

Lake country rolls to plains and farmland north of Bismarck. With recreation a given, the rural community at Underwood finds income sources shared primarily between the agriculture and energy industries. Seeking entrepreneurial growth, and focused upon discovering ways to boost the retail sector at Underwood, an economic director was hired to help develop and implement a strategic plan for business development as well as for housing – so they might further position themselves for the attraction and retention of a workforce. Now involved in a housing survey analysis facilitated by the University of Nebraska, they look forward to one day linking their town to young families, who might enjoy a stellar school system for their growing families as they find employment at area mines, plants, agricultural or retail businesses in the area. Neighbors to a power plant – a key employer to town residents – Underwood looks forward to North Dakota’s move toward clean energy industry in the state (wind, clean coal) and sees the potential for growth in their community as a result.

Surrounded by rolling hills of wildlife and fields brimming with small grain or sunflower, the farming community at Center recognizes their reliance upon the energy industry as a key income source to families in their town. With as many as 75 percent of families traveling to area power plants or coal mines for employment, the community knows the impact to their town is great. Without employment options, attraction of new families would be difficult. However with steady plant or coal mine work a given, the community remains balanced with families who utilize both an indoor swimming pool and school system. Although folks may travel short distances to larger area communities for larger retail items, the town provides multiple banking, medical or small retail business opportunities locally. Looking to the future, Center strives to attract new families to fill retirement openings. Prepared for future residential construction, the town created a new 30-lot development for single family home construction.

Situated in the midst of North Dakota power plants and coalmines, Stanton folks rely upon the energy industry for long-term employment to residents as they welcome out-of-town guests to their retail sector. Bolstering the economy, a swelling of retail business activity occurs at Stanton each summer as workers travel in to either rebuild or reconstruct stacks and scrubbers to area plants. Commonly, seasonal turnaround crews tow campers or RV’s to Stanton for housing as they find employment in the energy industry. Additionally, Stanton holds a certain historic attraction in the Knife River Indian Villages, drawing a steady flow of traffic both past and through town. Despite the ongoing influx of temporary help and tourism, the town’s base is steady – maintaining population and housing capacity, although they recognize a sure housing need for future retirement turnarounds.

Energy-related industry in both power plant work and construction or in coal mines helps keep small towns in North Dakota ahead of the unemployment trend in our country. With a pervasive presence in the industry, North Dakota rural communities help provide energy to the nation – burning coal, oil and natural gas – as they prepare for alternative fuels. Vital to the environment’s health, the landscape across North Dakota is changing, slowly, becoming speckled with wind farms and turbines – as clean energy rises in importance. And though the process may undergo changes, the result remains: North Dakota’s power plant towns thrive in an economy balanced among agriculture, small business and the energy industry.