Exactly what makes the economy of Fargo robust? What type of industry is located there?

I once had the pleasure of driving from Fargo to Bismarck, and no offense North Dakota, but I've rarely seen so such nothing in my life. Maybe in Kazakhstan or the Nevada desert. North Dakota is one of those state that really does have one square man for one square mile, with more cows and buffalo than people.

Hello Gary,
What a wonderful story! I am so glad Fargo is doing well. Ya darn tootin'!
Thanks friend!
XO's

for anyone to say that the "economy is pretty good" is an ignorant statement. i understand their experience is different from the vast majority, but to act as if a recession does not exist is a bit of an overstatment.

Devils lake, ND will get some of my money this summer when I show up for a Walleye fishing tournament I qualified for last year. Both North and South Dakota have been active over the past few years attracting hunters and fishermen to their state. It seems we will slow our spending down on other items but when it comes to the outdoors and vacations Americans will still spend money to hunt and fish with the family.

My guess is that Fargo has a cottage economy that is mostly isolated from national trends. I'll also bet that the genereal standard of living is pretty low in comparison to the rest of the U.S. along with the wage scale. I'm there are isolated rural coimmunities here and there around the U.S. that are pretty much self sustaining in the same way I just described.

If there's no manufacturing there's no jobs to lose but the flip side is that there are some pretty low wages as well. I know my company pays a manager like myself considerably less in the North Dakota area than here in Vermont. Expectations are lower, wages are lower people in these areas have been kinda eeking out a living for decades. No growth and self sufficient economic isolation means great stability but virutally no opportunity to grow as well.

My neighbors are from North Dakota....I recently met their family who were visiting ...they're the nicest people...yet they all agreed they like the weather here just a little more...

This is awesome news.

I live in south dakota and I've haven't really been noticing the recession here. Although we've seen very small businesses effected slightly by reducting work forces, everything else seems pretty normal.

I will never forget my roots in ND, even though I call Hawaii my home. A couple of facts: those who travel from Fargo to Bismarck and conclude the state is flat and boring are pretty ignorant. The western side is hills and has the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park with the historic town of Medora sitting on the southern edge. The western part of the state has deep oil pockets and the homes can't be built fast enough, or so it seems from the construction in my home town of Williston. My biggest complaint about all the construction is not one solar panel has been placed, conservation for the contractors appears to be a mute point. Sorry this is long, but ND gets a bad rap, sometimes deserved, but there is a lot of rich history in the state that seems to be over looked. Oh, and for the record, no, Mont Rushmore is in South Dakota... another often asked question!

I'm not surprised at all to hear this. There are probably other similar 'pockets of relative prosperity' elsewhere in the US, few as they may be at this point. And yes, the background and heritage of the area's residents has a great deal to do with the fact that the recession hasn't taken full hold in Fargo – yet. Maybe we could learn a few lessons here??

Nice to hear that not everyone is bad off. Of course, every state is different. Maybe we can learn something from them. I look forward to this report.

If you are willing to "freeze" and work at the same time---all power to you--but you must understand-–every place is not Fargo!

North Dakota (including Delaware) is/are the "Credit Card Issuer's,Bank Holding Companies Domicile"and still growing in the last decade. Lot's of money,lot's of good paying jobs,with a small population! It has nothing to do with their frugality. They enjoy the cold climate,and scenery,and happen to be in the right place at the right time! Let's all move to the pacific north west,but remember this,...you'll need snow-shoes.

Except for plummeting retirement savings, etc. – some are NOT that affected ... tons frankly. AND there are tons of JOBS in tons of places due to all who have passed away.

Hard to believe ...

I live in Fargo and can definitely say we are doing well (thank God!). The economy is stable and the housing market is too. Things are not as robust as they were in 2004/5, but we are moving ahead w/ businesses starting up, houses being built and people.. for the most part trying to stay positive about the economy. Yes, it is cold and other times it is beyond cold. But the people are great, raising kids here is a blessing and when you need a hand, there are usually 20+ willing to help. So I guess I'll take a little "flatness" and a boring drive between Fargo and Bismark anyday!

Life has trade-offs. Never been to Fargo but it's good to see some positive news. We live in the wintery wonderland of Western NY. We never saw an economic boom and I don't see the bust. I own two businesses, a restaurant and a construction company-both are running stronger this year than last. Estimates for future commercial construction work is heavy already. Eeyore looks like an optimist compared to many of the news anchors....

People talk about the weather and the flat terrain but the important thing to remember is North Dakota is a stable economy and Fargo boasts one of the largest Microsoft Campuses in the US, not to forget North Dakota has in excess of 1 billion dollars in surplus.

If you look at the US stimulus map North Dakota, Montana and South Dakota have surpluses. I guess the cold keeps the money from flowing out.

Come join and enjoy the people and the comfort of knowing that there is a silver lining at the end of the rainbow FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA

Conservativism. God-fearing, work-ethic abiding, good-hearted people. I live and love this state. It's a hidden treasure proven by our current economic state. We honor the new President but we don't all follow him as if he's a savior. We work to get what we need and want. We take action to the change other's just talk about. We band together in activity, in empathy for others and in chosing to live in the simple abundance of where we call HOME. North Dakota. A place where people are blessed for their beliefs. It is proven. Come visit a spell! You might just see the "change" you've been just talking about.

Where were all these thrifty Repulicans during the last eight years of the Bush Presidency? Were they too much of a coward to come out against the Bush Presidency for the abuses and ruin of the USA and the middle class?s Theu also trashed the Constitution. Where were they when the SEC were looking the other way. I hope that Obama succeeds with his plans. If the Republicans don't join in to help I think the election in 2010 will take care of their demise. Thanks for listening.

I'm like Tom Hanks in "league of their own' when he says there is 'no crying in baseball'. If we want to build a better nation and we are to lend a helping hand..being strong is the stuff we American's are made of. So why are all the cable shows running all these negative ads to inform 'us' too stupid people to know whats right and wrong with the stimulas package that Has Already Passed and been signed.Whether your a republican , independent or democrat we need help. There should be 'NO Whinning' or politics now. Show us your looking out for the people who put you in the congress in the first place. If you don't play well with others YOU may find yourself looking for a NEW JOB!! We are excited about changing the government and making wall street and banks answer to us 'the people'. And shame on everyone who doesn't support what Our President is doing because there is one thing he gives us is HOPE. And all the knit picking just makes the players look bad.

I am a Realtor in Fargo and a transplant from Illinois 5 years ago. I have personally witnessed the modest lifestyle that the average Fargoan chooses to lead. I have found people in North Dakota to be some of the friendliest and most humble people in the USA. They take great pride in their families and work ethic. You will never find better customer service anywhere else. As a Realtor I am reaping the benefits of the conservative background that helps shelter this great state from the crisis faced in many other areas of the country. Any problems faced in North Dakota are caused by a ripple effect stemming from other areas.
Cold winters are a small price to pay to be surrounded by good people.

Since we all do not live in Fargo we must deal with the fallout of the Bush administration! But, I am glad to know that somewhere in the United States people are still doing well. Hopefully Fargo can show the rest of the country a way out of our horrific economy.

I know that change is coming and it may not be as swift and just as we would like but many of we understood this premise coming into this new administration. It will be a long road to recovery and there will be many casualties but I am optimistic. However,I have friend in D.C. who lost his car earlier this week and has a Home forclosure sale date for TOMORROW! He has been working for more than 30 years and had to change jobs 4 times in the last year due to wage cuts at his original job

I'm envious of country people. (A regrettable catch-all term, I realize. My apologies.) Their self-reliance and discipline has served them well. City life isn’t anything like it’s cracked up to be. At least not here in the Big Apple.

These places might have brutal winters, and they may lack ethnic restaurants, but their balance sheets - economic and otherwise - seem to be in good shape.

I'm just waiting for liberals to start ragging on the Dakotas for their lack of "diversity."

Purchase Stimulus Plan

I want to offer my solution to rev up the economy. I propose the federal government distribute $1000 worth of 50% discount coupons to every person in the USA that is registered with the IRS as per the following:

1) 1x$300, 2x$200, 2x$100 and 2x$50
2) Coupons valid for use between April 1 to June 30 only.
3) The federal government redeems up to 50% of the purchase price to the vendor upon redeeming the voucher to the federal agency.
4) Voucher is good for purchasing any product.

This idea would push the consumer to make a lot of purchases in a short period of time. The money spent by the consumer with the added money added by the goverment would cause sales and profits to increase substantially. Thus revving things up and helping the economy to progress.

Do you think this is a good idea?

Cameron

The Borgen Project has some good info on the cost of addressing global poverty.

$30 billion: Annual shortfall to end world hunger.
$550 billion: U.S. Defense budget

As a North Dakota resedent who is well traveled, I could never imagine living anywhere esle. Yes, the winters are a bit chilly, but our summers here are beautiful! I believe North Dakota offers just as much if not more than other states.

So we Scandinavians are considered sensible, practical and conservative when we deal with financial matters, hmmmm?
On my part I can agree on that. And for Finlands part, too.

(Emerson Electric Co. in Tempe) Emerson Leading $24.8B Global Manufacturing and Technology Company, Is it Patriotic to the USA? they are doing more outsourcing of US jobs to the Phillippines!
It's real sad when this is the problem with this economy! Yep more profits $$ for BIG Business! & one more CEO!

As you all know, the republicain are to blame for the economic problem the Obama inherited. Bush took the country from Clinton with surplus and well to do economicaly. Also the war in iraq was a decision for the republican people to get rich as they did with no bid contract. Obama to solve part of the problem, should stop the billions tax payer money united states send every years to Israel if it is true, also money send to Saudi Arabia and all other country who does not really in need, but use their power to sqeeze others. Apartheid is no more is south africa but it still exist in west bank and gaza see chanel 13 news for the reporter who spent 10 years overthere.. I hope president Obama has the strenght and see the suffering of people around the world by others who benefit from the taxpayer of U.S.A. I wish you put my comment on television... thanks

It looks like some radar might be supporting legalizing of marijuanna.I would like to see some interviews on your show and Larry King regarding the issues. Some polling would be great too! It's a new world, legalizing marijuanna would help the united states. Think of the money it would save and generate to our econmy. I don't even care if it taxed and regulated......

It's called "balance"...the Upper Midwest rarely reaches the "lowest of the lows" because we rarely get caught in the momentum that takes people to the "highest of the highs". You're not going to see housing prices ever rise 300% a year (heck, in a century!) in the Dakotas, nor will you ever see a similar drop. Call it climate, call it heritage, call it plain old common sense...but "ya, sure, you betcha" we are happy to play the part of the tortise with our slow and steady growth winning the race!

For 8 years the left whined, name-called, kicked, scratched and did everything but get along or try to help, now that they're in power, everyone should fall in line or they look bad? Puh-lease! I live in Fargo, and what is being said is true. The stores are filled with shoppers, gas prices are low, jobs are plentiful. Not to say there haven't been changes! Where I work our leading product is way down, but since we are diversified, other products, like agricultural products are making up. This is a correction mostly caused by the same people clamoring for help. Banks that practiced poor lending habits and people who borrowed more than they can afford. Now, we should all get together and bail them all out? Zero fiscal responsibility.

As a Fargoan and native North Dakotan, I will admit that a good chunk of Jodi Rae's "conservatism, God-fearing, work-ethic abiding" is part of our success, but it's not the whole story. Agriculture is the strong backbone of a diversified economy that also includes jobs in manufacturing, high-tech and regional healthcare. Fargoans are also creative entrepreneurs that have revitalized a vibrant downtown with plenty of local flavor. We have a bona fide arts scene, thanks in large part to the three universities in the metro area. And it's not just Fargo – there's Moorhead and West Fargo, too. Fargo is a lot of things, which is probably why we're doing as well as we are.

Fargo has great diversity. There are peoples of every color and creed here. Africans, Filipinos, Chinese, Black and White Americans, Bosnians and who knows who else? There are many good ethnic restaurants too Thai, Chinese, Greek, Japanese. There is a Bosnian Deli just down the street. I say nay to anyone who claims we have no culture.

I'm so excited to see the story tonight...not just because I'm from Fargo but because I also work at Gate City! It was so great to see you at the bank, Gary! We really are doing well here! We are more that just flatlands and cold! Looking forward to your report tonight!

Gary,

Leave it to you to bring us an uplifting story about the economy!

These people have good reason to brag about what they have accomplished, they sound like proud people with strong values who would be ashamed to take any help from the government.

Unfortunately, the rest of the country cannot boast any such success and it is possible that its failures will spill over into this robust part of the country.

Maybe Treasury Secretary Geithner should get some advice from the CEO of the Gate City Bank, he looks like he could use some help.

I look forward to watching your report tonight!

Jo Ann
North Royalton, Ohio

I can tell you one thing. North Dakota did not get to where we are now by massive spending by someone who is inexperienced. We got here by hard work and being conservative. Maybe we should outsource Washington and get some hard working honest people there who know how real success is reached. It's defiantly not from free handouts. You teach a man how to fish he can feed himself. You give him the fish for free and he will be a lazy beggar.

mike in NYC – come check out fargo! i think you may be pleasantly surprised with its restaurant selection. if you have an aversion to our frigid winters, come during our other season, "road construction."

While I wouldn't call Fargo the mecca of diversity, it does hold, per capita, one of the largest cities of refugees, from Bosnia to Somolia, from the Sudanese to the Cambodians, and there is a strong Latino presence in the area. Students, facult, and staff at the three major higher ed institutions add to the community. It boasts one of the premeire performing arts schools for K-12, includes independent, community, and college theater performance, as well as symphonies, operas, and various forms of dance. Yet conservative is a good word. If we have the money, we spend some of it, but save the rest for rainy days. If we don't have the money, we don't buy something we can't afford. Many families own not only their own homes in Fargo, but they also own second homes on lakes in Minnesota, such as we do. Oh, and did I mention that I am getting a minimum 5% raise next year?

Plus, for half a year, we don't have to deal with mosquitoes!!!

I think Fargo is getting a lot of credit for the good economy in ND...but it is the towns in the western part of the state like Williston, Dickinson, Watford City, Tioga, Stanley...that are keeping the states unemployement numbers low. Williston (williams county) has an unemployement rate of 1.5%...jobs are abundant, construction is going strong with new homes, townhouses, 3 new hotels, numerous oil companies opening up service shops and offices, etc... because of the oil activity taking place. Yes, Fargo is the largest town in ND, but for the most part, the good economy is as is because of western ND's booming oil industry (even with the lull in the prices)...but the boom continues on.

After watching tonites news such as the mess with FEMA on Katrina, and the Bank Ceos doing business that they shouldn't, plus politicans still having ear marks that add up to billions. Its my opinon that we should consider having check and balance on our high up people in offices across the country that administer benefits to help people of Katrina, unemployment, food stamps, and other goverment services. No wonder the country is in such a mess. some of the very people we put in goverment are the crooked ones, no to mention the ones that get hired by officials to do the handing out of benefits. We must hold all goverment employees accountable right down to the field reps.

Good for Fargo. Glad to know there are still places in the US that are not mired in this recession and life goes on as normal. Gary, you may have inadvertently set them up for a population hike – if I was long unemployed and didn't mind the cold I'd think about going there to see if I could get a job and what it was like to live there – at least until the recession is over and if I liked it maybe beyond. Thanks for an upbeat story!!!

Is there anyone out there that can explain why we havn't heard anything connecting Alan Greenspan to the US's economic and banking meltdown. Wasn't he the head of the US Banking Industry for quite some time? Am I the only one that can see that his policies are why the US is in this turmoil? Everyone seems to agree that this meltdown originated in the housing market. Why would a central bank raise interest rates so drastically high and quickly without realizing all these "floating" mortgages would be severely impacted and stretch people's budgets past their limits.

Hello to all of those who do not know North Dakota! To the women who drove the 100 miles of "nothingness"..... you actually missed the most beautiful parts of the state, west and north of Bismarck! Some of the most gorgeous scenery you will see in this country..... and I have travels through 45 states. Also, the movie Fargo... is a movie that the storyline actually took place in the state of Minnesota. Please watch the movie again and you will see that the first scene was the only part of the movie that actually took place in "Fargo".... and no, we don't have that type of accent around here. Movies are often nonfactual... nor based on truths... All I can say is; we have great people in this state who watch out for their neighbors, low crime, fabulous clear skies, (the evenings are awesome and I doubt that you will ever see the sky filled with so many stars)... the air is clean, low stress and a quiet calm you will not find anywhere else....and a history that is second to none.,l So come and see for yourself... live the Legend of North Dakota

I agree that driving through North Dakota looks like "a whole lot of nothing," but what you are looking at is the best farmland in the world. There are millions of dollars in the ground you're looking at – so don't scoff at it too much!

I was born and raised in Fargo and still live here today. Interesting points. Boring drives – yes, but try the path less taken and you'll see plenty. Lack of diversity – maybe, but hard to compete with NYC there. Winters can be brutal at times, but it helps keep the crime low. (who wants to lift a car at -20 F when you can't let it run 15 minutes to warm up). The people here are resilient and can't wait to hold a door open for you. Everyone here also seems to try to support the local companies more. Whatever it is I guess it's working. Hope you all have the same good fortune soon!

How do we handle long winters? Fargo has direct flights to LAX and Las Vegas

Nice to hear that Fargo is doing well. Gives me hope that perhaps the rest of us will see an end to this recession soon. That would be quite a relief!

I live in Fargo's sister city, Moorhead. Fargo is in North Dakota. ND has oil. ND has a very homogenius population of less than 700,000. I was born there. It's a great state but no secret to it's success. It's isolated, has lots of room, the State has a budget surplus. North Dakota still makes things, like food. Cheers to Fargo!

Another North Dakota native checking in...

I am reserved and pleased that North Dakota is doing well but It is also good to keep the optimism in check. Fortunes can change. Perhaps the hard times have taught North Dakotans to be cautious and work hard to achieve our goals. North Dakota is not perfect by any means but we have also never had the overblown prosperity and shaky business practices that some parts of the country have experienced. Perhaps the conservative nature of the states finances is a benefit it provides money for a rainy day and nationally many areas do not have that "rainy day" money.

North Dakota winters are a challenge but it always puts a smile on my face when an news anchors face goes white at the comment of -35 with a -55 windchill.

Fargo may not have the diversity of LA or NYC but it does have some ethnic restaurants including Thai, Bosnian and Greek food.

I do have to agree and disagree about the flatness. In some ways the flatness is beautiful because you can go into the country and see the stars and dream. Sunsets and sunrises are spectacular and you see the sun actually rise on the horizon. The Badland, Pembina Gorge and Sheyenne River Valley are stunning. North Dakota truly does have some beautiful spots, a varied history, and interesting personalities.

@deece:

My remark about ethnic restaurants was not a criticism. Dining options actually rank rather low on my quality of life checklist.

@Shannon in ND:

Being a "mecca of diversity" is not necessarily something to strive for.

Wasn't there a movie made there like a while back when the economy was still good.Well I'm glad people in the middle of nowhere don't feel the recession I'm happy for them like I'm happy I live in California.

Okay now Gary, I hope you be enjoying yourself there in Fargo, North Dakota. I hear the people are very friendly, ya

I met some people from North Dakota on my travels this past year and they were some of the nicest people I had ever met. They sound almost like the people of the Canadian north, eh!

I do wonder if they are like the Canadians also they will be pulled down with the economy slowly but surely.

North Dakota buys fleets of buses partially made in Manitoba, then they are shipped to North Dakota where they finish assembling them, it's nice to see neighbours in a combined effort for a finished product.

Okay now Gary, you stay warm there and don't ya forget to stay safe too

With all of this spending....I've come too see that we do need to move forward... but at what price? I believe that we need to really get to the very poor groups and have them appreciate and WAKE-UP and see we have to move forward or the America we know may not be......and that's our new reality.

Artist have a lot of power.......where are they?

ND is doing well because it doesn't have an overblown government. The state legislature only meets every other year. The less the government is involved the better off we all are. Common sense...if the rest of the government would get some of it and stop worrying about a "power-grab".

Looks like self-reliance beats government reliance, hmmm?

@Gene from Vermont...

"low standard of living, lower expectations, no growth, no manufacturing"

hehehe really? I suppose you think we don't have software companies either, and are just cutting our collective teeth on the interwebs. Whatever pal, nice try tho.

@Mike in NYC...

"city life isn't like it's cracked up to be"

I've never cracked up city life in the first place, and we do have at least a few good eats - stop out for a taste sometime.

Now if'n y'all'll excuse me, I need to see to my horse, make sure I can get to my engineering job tomorrow.

anderson cooper is not jaded, just truthful...and calls things as he see them. keep it up

i read all the coments'

ya know i was always told all my life

( the grass is greener on the other side
( remember ) the rude awakeing could happen anytime.

yes we can """"

Along with most Americans, I am extremely concerned about passing on a tremendous debt to our children and grandchildren. I recently asked a group of friends what they thought of this suggestion. At the end of each year when we file our tax return, there is a space asking if you as a taxpayer would like to contribute $3.00 to the Presidential Election Campaign. I would like to see that replaced by, "Do you, or your spouse, if filing a joint return, want to contribute_____(fill in the amount you'd like)) to the national debt. Every person I asked said they would gladly make a contribution. It would be interesting to see what American Taxpayers think.

Have to confess I know nothing about North Dakota, and Fargo,(except it makes me think of Frances McDormand), but I have respected the career of Byron Dorgan for many years. It seemed to me that he was a politician of integrity; i hope he still is.

I think we could free up some money by spending it on endangered mice!

I'm at my dad's house right now. We were watching the local news when we saw a couple of segments about a dog whose tongue was injured by a defective ball and another about how you can save money by buying frozen vegtables at the grocery store. Disgusted, I told me dad to change the channel to national news and admonished him about watching mindless local news. He changed it to Adnerson Cooper 360 when we saw the segment about the racoon problem at the White House complete with the the graphic of the racoon popping onto the screen and the growling sound effect. My dad turned to me and asked "you were saying." You imbeciles.

Does Fargo have a newspaper company in the area?

Why do I ask?

Answer:
It seem like all the liberal bias newspapers and radio talk shows are hitting the brakes hard.

Ask yourself Why?

They should call him Stallion or Knight both strong and brave!!!! wink..lol
I love dogs..ruff

The point you seem to be missing is that Fargo, like much of that part of the United States, is more Canadian than Canada, and many of the problems afflicting the U.S. right now are not afflicting Canada in the same way (although we are afflicted, to be sure, but mostly because we are dependent on the health of the U.S.) Those folks, like the folks in "fargo" (the movie) seemed more Canadian than I am - and I am Canadian! We didn't have a subprime crisis here, because we, like the folks in Fargo, aren't quite so stupid.

i lived in the west for a year in lander WY and the econmy their was a lot better than it is here in pittsburgh PA its because small town consertive america doesnt over spend unlike big city america does

Anderson,

With all these earmarks, social security, medicare, defense, what happened to getting that Veterans Disability Commission Bill passed in Congress and signed by the President so the Veterans Compensation Program will get a long over due Pay raise. I understand it has not been done since 1935. If you really want to help Disabled American Veterans drawing Compensation that will help all of us with better Quality of Life. Another thing hidden is The Agent Orange Diseases and Illnesses that are killing off Vietnam Veterans one by one. The Order of The Silver Rose found on the Internet is trying their Best to do what Congress and The White House are not either through Ignorance or trying to avoid. I was surprised to hear Dr. Phil taking an Active Role on what Disabled American Veterans are dealing with. If this is to tough for you to Investigate I will try to understand.

Has anyone thought about a furlough for all Federal government employees (except emergency essential) for just one day, not a week not a month, but just one day. Does anyone have an idea how much this would save (just one day), and the savings could possible pay for some of these programs or aid in helping the economy recover.

If you want to bring jobs back to the United States of America, the associated tax revenues that can pay down the deficit and return the economy to any semblance of health, we need to stop the hemorrhaging of jobs into countries where healthcare is a non issue, and where Universal Health Care is a freebie for them!

In part it was this that caused most large U.S. Companies to outsource jobs, enabling them to get out from beneath backbreaking healthcare costs.

Taxes are also a non issue for most of them. Here in the U.S. loop holes in the tax code would allow them to fly 747’s through them and yet it is still cheaper to move jobs and hire in some of the countries where wages not only match but likely exceed those that were paid in the U.S.

Change is hard but maybe it’s just time to stop listening to tired old solutions that have not, can not and will NOT provide recovery from the monumental disaster created by those tired old solutions!

I am very angry at all the spending, I makes no logical sense. No way to buy yourself out of debt. And I don't understand all the pork or embedded social changes. I feel taken in and foolish for believing things would change for the better.

The general public does not understand what the F-22 does and it's mission. The aircraft does SO Much more than air superiority. This aircraft is much more than that. Please don’t have the view that it just a Stealth Aircraft. It does much more than that. It’s like trying to compare a portable 8 track tape player to a Modern Ipod touch. I can't go into detail with what it does; however after working on the development on it, Rest assured that it is the most advanced flying aircraft now and will be for at least the next 30 plus years. I can assure you that it is very important to the defensive protective net that safeguards America.

Anderson,

Why doesn't anyone talk about the difference in cost of living? $250,000 in New Jersey and New York where we are taxed at an insane rate and have enormous property taxes is NOT the same and does not get you to the same level as $250,000 in other parts of the country. How much taxes will be enough? 50%, 60%, what about 70%? This is a joke. I am a small business owner who puts in 60-70 hours a week because I want to retire early. And now Obama feels it is "Patriotic" for me to pay more? HELP US ANDERSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just spent 900,000,000 in building this how can i afford this well i am using my 401Ks, my Gm stocks, and my Cit Group Stocks to pay all of this off............ This will not back fire at all

Paul in columbus, oh. Hi , I was just watching our local evening news and I was shocked what I just saw. They were reporting on where the money from the stimulus monety was wanted, and one of the request s was 10 million dollars for the toledo zoo to open a new hippo and elephant exhibit. Don't you think there are a little more important issues to spend that money on!!!

We're are doing well here. As someone born in Arizona, I had to make a few adjustments, but it's actually a lovely place to live. I curl at the club in this story (and cross-country ski every week). During the summer, we run by the Red River and camp a lot. The secret to Fargo's success is the diversity in resources and industries (it's hardly a boomtown, and seldom feels the lows as deeply). We have more and more diversity (with the growing University, refugees, and growth at Microsoft). FYI, the partner and I just had some fantastic mussels in wine sauce, spinach salad with fennel, bing cherries and truffle dressing, and fantastic winter beer and Sauvignon Blanc. The food is just fine here.

To Michael McHugh: We North Dakotans love people like you who make negative comments about our state – it keeps the riff raff out! I can tell you exactly why the recession hasn't affected ND – because our lenders are not greedy nor stupid. They don't make loans to people who have no chance in hell of making a payment, just so they can line their own pockets. We care about our neighbors. We are hard working, ethical & honest people and we want to keep it that way, so you keep telling everyone how awful it is here, okay?

I would like to hear about our foreign aid programs. Have we cut back? Or are we still sending billions to other countries? This time, we may need to think about ourselves first, and then resume foreign aid when we can better afford it.

I just have one question that I would love for someone to clearly answer. President Obama keeps saying that we did not get into this mess over night, nor will we get out of it over night. So if this is true, why have we waited for so long to jump and do something about it? This thing is huge! You would think that all of these so call "experts" would have said something to the Wall Street bankers a long time ago. It makes me mad, because now as 24 year old, I would never be able to get approved to buy my first home! And I pay my bills on time! Every time!

I'm moving to Fargo sign me up.

This summer more Americans died on the streets of Chicago than in iraq? You'll never see that fact on CNN. What about those people who Obama appointed to his cabinet that did not play their taxes. One of them got to keep their job. If that was me I'd be thrown in jail. Talk about change LOL

i have watched ac360 for years and never commented before. I am compelled to ask(and disclose accordingly that i am a person of color)
how many poor people of color reside in Fargo. My assumption is two fold; first, they dont have the subsidy of poor to consider as a minimal threshold to funding local government and secondly if those cities which have many of these persons of color on subsidy they should adopt work ethics as were displayed on your show. Much Luv Anderson

Shipp

I remember there was a thought a decade ago to join North and South Dakotas... since there were more people in state governments then people in the states. Overall how is my situation better in NJ knowing some people in a frigid place are eking a survival?

I guess all those hoards of unemployed should travel to nowhere, X.Dakota to even out those unemployment figures.

In conclusion, I am glad there are some tad more intelligent people to have made sound financial decisions. Were those their decision or ones made for them.... well....

"THE ROAD TO RECOVERY, IS ANYONE LISTENING?"
Show the people you will be diligent in your quest to right the wrong and you will restore consumer confidence.
1) Identify those responsible for the demise of the economy and hold them accountable for their actions
2) Indentify those that were to protect us and hold them accountable
3) Appoint an Ombudsman to direct those investigations and keep the public well informed of convictions
4) Put an immediate hault to distribution of any funds from the first $700 Billion stimlus package and conduct an immediate audit on how monies already distributed have been allocated.
5) Those companies that have not used the money wisely must be held accountable and the remaining dollars returned.
6) Those government officials responsible for overseeing the proper distribution and use of the stimulus must be held accountable
7) Form a presidential advisory group of the most successful and honest business people to formulate plans for a speedy recovery and keep the public well informed of their strategies

Everyone read what Jodi Rae posted because that about sums it up. Don’t believe it? Come to our family reunion and cry about what you think is wrong with the country. Anyway, I miss those Christmases out at the farm. Yes, sub-zero temperatures and an outhouse out in back of the farm house that was so cold it would start to steam and make it difficult to see if you were hitting the hole. Tough, kind, hard working coupon cutting folks not afraid to roll up their sleeves and earn a real living. That is the Red River valley I remember.

I have known and worked with many people from North Dakota and found them to be very racist and I stopped hanging out with them.

They frequently use the word "coon" when talking about blacks.

They talk openly about how mexicans are stupid and lazy and should be sent back to Mexico.

They talk about how the mexicans and blacks are the cause of all America's problems.

So, yeah, North Dakota is great – if you're white.

I have read the negative comments about North Dakota and many appear to come from residents of the eastern states of the US. Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, colors AND landscapes!! Our largest industry (agriculture) literally feeds the entire world. AND, we have coal, oil and some of the largest wind farms in the nation. Hey, Wall Street, NYC and DC- what is your major industry?- Production of the worst crooks in the history of civilization that made the world's biggest and greatest nation fall to it's knees!!??

And in response to Gene P from Vermont-

I am a transplant from the west coast and to say that our standards in ND are lower is WAY off base. Standard of living here outpaces any other area of the country and there is also a higher standard set for the people here too. FACT- One of the highest high school and college graduate rates, and more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in the country! To say that your wages are higher compared to the same managerial job here is because "expectations are lower" is so very ignorant! I would guess to say that your cost of living is much higher in your area and that is why you get paid more to "eek" out a living.

Citizens of the United States, regardless of their political base, should acknowledge the fact that President Obama is now confronted with an immense predicament born on the backs of financial swindlers. The recompense his cabinet might obtain is directly proportionate to the amount of bi-partisanship The President is able to obtain.

Dennis Kusinich waiting for 12.5 hours to have an isle seat – is this a teanager at a Myle Syris concert.?

I guess the secret's out! I've lived in Fargo my entire life and can't imagine being anywhere else. Good schools (including three 4-year universities – NCAA Division I, II and III), low crime, great people. Curling's ok, but as far as winter sports go, I think this is hockey country.

While oil may have helped boost ND's surplus, the fact that Fargo pulls a lot of people to town from a wide area for entertainment, health care, and shopping certainly doesn't hurt. Despite being a metro of about 200,000 people, it's still rarely more than a 20-minute commute from one end to the other. We're easily the biggest metro center in a 200+ mile radius and are at the intersection of 2 interstates. It's commonplace to see Canadian license plates (if not buses!) all over town to take advantage of the weak US dollar, especially around Christmas and for back-to-school shopping. If they're not in Fargo, they often in stop in Grand Forks, some 80 miles north.

ND's famous common sense approach doesn't just apply to economics. After the devastation left behind by Katrina and Rita I think many in the Red River Valley thought of the flood of 1997. There was no whining until government help came. Instead, there were communities banding together to sandbag strangers' homes, getting out their fishing boats to check on/evacuate neighbors, etc. There's an attitude of let's fix it and move on. Grand Forks completely rebuilt their downtown less than 3 years after being underwater and on fire at the same time.

I'll take the boring drives, the flatness, and the -50 wind chills any day – keeps the riff raff out. You haven't really lived until your eyelashes freeze together anyway! Fargo rocks!

Thats right CNN he hasn't taken a position on it yet. That does not mean he won't! Stop putting doubt into peopl. I'm sooo ashamed of CNN right now.......

are they ever going to put a stop to Immigration From Mexico? seems they are taking all the jobs

I'll tell you what happened to America: Immigration and globalism. Selling Americans a bill of goods about diversity and how good it is for us. Talking like this was still a brand-new country like during Mayflower times. Reducing Americans to facilitators for others, so much so, that Americans began to feel like the immigrant. Then came 911 and you were reminded that everybody is not America's friend. Let the world take care of their problems in they homes and we will take care of our problems here.

Of course we are in bad shape,but we all have to understand that its a cycle. What makes everyone think this wont happen again maybe when im even 70 or 80 whick im only 21. MONEY and GREED

I voted for Ron Paul...don't blame me.

- Resident of Fargo

I guess The Anointed One hasn't been to Fargo. Every city he visits gets the "Kiss of Death." Now, some poor dog will suffer because it's "so chic" for the White House to have a dog. Why not spare some poor, unfortunate animal that has done nothing to deserve such treatment and "adopt' Nancy Pelosi instead. She's been up the Anointed Ones's A-Hole anyway.

THat does not explain why some businesses are holding back on the work week of their employees and others are laying off people or have allready laid off many people----–A FARGO NATIVE OF 30 YEARS .....

Having has my career outsourced at least twice from my high tech high paying jobs in the last eight years I am now a branch manager of a temp labor company and making a livable wage. I have been thinnking about this whole mess we are in and I've come to relize that this all is a result of something very straight forward.

Amid all the hype the origins of our current problem reduce to the fiollowing. ........

#1 Outsourcing of American infrastructure and the resulting high paying jobs with no government or private sector intiative to replace that lost infrastructure with something equivalent.

#2 Lack of any government or private sector leadership toward a Patriotic Economic policy. It's simply been GREED for short term gain thats been driving virtually everything over the last decade with no thought wat so ever toward our nation and it's people.

Everything from the housing crisis to the stock market are merely after effects of these flawed policies or lack of policies. I am now convinced that Until we correct them there will be no real long term solution. We will just continue to spiral down as a nation.

Maybe the folks in washington could learn something from this? Nice job, to everyone.

Well...I live here. My fellow co-workers & I are on a constant anxiety "high" not knowing if we are "next" or not. Fargo is not isolated from the recession & I am tired of hearing we are. I currently have 5 friends who have lost their jobs in the last month or so & it is not uncommon for people to have 2 or 3 jobs because the pay is so horrible here. I work for a major hotel developer...no financing=no building=no work. Also – we have a main HQ for Microsoft...just laid off 50 people along with some other large companies.
Yes we are better off....NO – we are definitely not isolated.

Oh & Curling????? Not all that popular. Drinking however is...we are the 5th "drunkest" city in the US.

OK, just to add my two cents worth...let's stop bickering about republican vs. democrat vs. the world...isn't it enough that we all have issues? North Dakota or New York – what difference does it make? WE as a nation are in major debt and what are WE going to do about it? I am from North Dakota and no, the recession hasn't hit big here...YET, but it will eventually make it's way into the state, just like everything else does. That doesn't make us immune from the financial virus that has attacked our nation, and our world. Take a hint from North Dakota and other conservative states – you DO NOT need to have the best of everything to live. You DO NOT need to make more than anyone else to be happy. Living extravagantly and beyond your means is what gets people into financial trouble – and the nation's government is not exempt from that statement. One more word of advice – let's take care of OUR OWN before we worry too much about everyone else. Without "US", there won't be anyone left to take care of "them".

Great news for Fargo! Just three hours south, our town of Aberedeen, South Dakota (population 25,000) is feeling the same optimism. While we have had some layoffs from manufacturing plants the community is in a big push to grow. We need houses and struggle to get them and apartments built, we're having a massive job fair on March 17 with dozens and dozens of companies participating. We have a great climate for entrepreneurism, lots of space to grow, buildings ready to move into, and a regional workforce which travels to town from upwards of 50 miles one way. Everyone's talking recession, but sales tax is up, visitor spending is up and companies are hiring.

Gary – GEM electric cars are manufactured in Fargo, North Dakota and have been for 11 years! 2008 was our "best year ever." Consumers, colleges/universities, state & local governments, even the miIitary and Capitol Hill drive 'em. Obama's new stimulus plan makes it even more affordable too. Who out there drives GEM cars?

I am a business owner in Fargo (flooring and kitchen & bath). We don't get the extreme highs or extreme lows when the economy swings way up or down. I came here many years ago from Pennsylvania, and wouldn't trade this place for PA or any other (except maybe Hawaii this time of year)! I just want to say to some of the others who have commented on the article; the Fargo-Moorhead area has a population of around 200,000 and we are not a bunch of uneducated, small town hicks. Our economy is diverse, our people well educated and our leaders don't spend every penny of our taxes. I've always said, "this is the perfect place to live except for the weather in winter."

While this is an interesting article, I feel Mr. Tuchman's article is a bit short-sighted. Fargo may be the largest 'city' in North Dakota', but it is not the only city nor does it have the only businesses in the state that keeps it in the black! North Dakota has the only state-owned bank and the only state-owned grain elevator in the United States. The Bank of North Dakota was started in 1919 to avoid high interest rates when borrowing from banks in Minnesota. The Bank's purpose is to further agriculture, business, and growth for North Dakotans. Also, while curling is a winter sport here it is definitely not the only sport popular, hockey, football, all the 'normal' sports one would expect!