You are the ones who will truly carry us forward. Economic diversification is real. North Dakota's economy used to rely heavily on agriculture and energy, swinging wildly with world markets. Farming, ranching and energy production will remain critical to the creation of good jobs, but they are not the only source of employment now. Our service sector is a growing strength.
Manufacturing is on the rise.
We are targeting new industries that will bring new wealth and new people to the state. There is a New Economy, and North Dakota must be part of it. The New Economy is Kent and Jeanne Sortland of Jamestown, who grow sunflowers, soybeans, wheat and barley on the family farm in Litchville. Jeanne works at Dakota Growers Pasta in Carrington as quality assurance manager. In addition to farming, Kent turned to technology as a tool in entrepreneurship, one of the basic ways of creating the better-paying jobs North Dakota needs.