Government leaders, energy industry representatives, school officials and lobbyists made presentations at the Western Dakota Energy Association's annual meeting in Dickinson last week, all of which spoke to the Bakken being a long-term source of energy resources.

Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford told WDEA members that communities should embrace the Main Street Initiative advocated by Gov. Doug Burgum in order to remain viable.

"This is what we've been talking about for the past 10 years, ever since we realized we have a tremendous workforce attraction problem," he said. "We don't have that many people in the west. So what do we have to do to grow these towns so that people want to live there?"

Read more at http://www.thedickinsonpress.com/news/local/4355435-preparing-tomorrow-western-dakota-leaders-speak-community-industry-needs-region.