My feelings echo the ones expressed by this article written by Orson Scott Card.

Of course, that wouldn’t fix the economic problems at the national level.  But what North  Dakota community WOULDN’T want $700 billion? 

What community wouldn’t be concerned about so much money being spent?

The Prairie Photo contest calls for digital photos of native prairie land in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.  From the press release I received:

The Conservancy’s Prairie Photo Contest is open to all photographers at least 18 years of age. Final judging will occur on October 16, 2008, at the Bloomington Art Center, 1800 West Old Shakopee Rd., Bloomington, Minn. Cash prizes will be awarded, with a top prize of $250. The top ten photographs will be displayed at the Center and at other renowned local galleries. Photographs must be from a site in Minnesota, North Dakota or South Dakota, and represent prairie habitat and/or species that are native to the respective state.

 

Read more about it here.

From the press release:

“There hasn’t been a ship named after the State of North Dakota in 85 years,” Hoeven said. “That’s why together we put on a full court press to get the Navy to name a submarine after our state, and we were successful. I think the more than 1,000 pictures colored by our young people which we presented to Donald Winter, Secretary of the Navy, impressed him with the grassroots effort our state made to name a submarine USS North Dakota.”

 From this KX News article:

(Fred Walker / ND Tourism) “they want to experience ND – they don’t just want to step out and take a picture and keep driving, they want to ride a horse, they want to fish with locals, visit a pow-wow, they want to be a part of what ND is about.” Fred Walker is in charge of spreading what North Dakota has to offer travelers overseas

And now’s the time to target the international traveler

Visitors from Norway, Sweeden and German are up between 19 to 24 percent.

I think the figure above is for the nation, but it bodes well for ND, as well.

The North Dakota Tourism branding strategy is “I AM LEGENDARY.”   It’s aimed at helping people see themselves in North Dakota, as a part of North Dakota (however briefly) and as a part of North Dakota’s history and culture.

Believe it or not, tourism is the state’s second-largest industry.

Perhaps Obama’s visits to the state are paying off.  North Dakota is emerging as an economically strong state, with its well-known agricultural aspects being complimented now by a strong energy production industry.  For a presidential candidate, having an up-and-coming state on your side could swing the votes, especially proportionally because ND has a relatively small population size.

Here are some areas that could make a difference for either candidate in winning a majority of ND’s favor:

• A candidate who is committed to encouraging our state’s energy transmission by supporting new power lines and pipelines could garner support from the booming energy industry.  A policy like this could also gather support from coastal states who want lower fuel prices, more domestic fuel resources and more resources from clean fuels like wind energy.
• Likewise, a candidate dedicated to research and development of biofuels would do well because a viable biofuels option could mix agriculture and energy, two of the state’s strong economic areas. 
• Farmers and people living in rural areas would probably vote for a candidate who would support Disaster Relief funds for purposes like flooding and drought.

I’m sure there are more.  These are the first ones that spring to mind.  I would love to hear about other issues, which candidate is best suited to take those issues on, and why. 

With the 4th of July weekend right around the corner, many people stand to lose their homes and businesses to the blazes.  According to this article, more than 1700 fires have burned across central and northern California since June 20.  Most of them were started by lightening.  In some areas near the Los Padres National Forest, some people whose homes and livelihoods are threatened have refused to evacuate. 

Instead of fireworks, they face fire.

The press release issued from Gov. Hoeven’s office today stated that some of the Los Padres fires have been burning since June 9.  From the release:

Three North Dakota National Guard pilots and two crew chiefs left this morning for two weeks of duty. They will support the California Guard with a North Dakota Black Hawk and water bucket, along with the full complement of equipment needed to support fire operations.

“We want to help the people of California during this difficult time,” Hoeven said. “We’re also proud of our National Guard members, who were able to mobilize and launch the Black Hawk within 24 hours of the request, which is a good measure of their preparedness.”

“While it’s difficult to watch the devastation these fires have wreaked in California, we’re glad we’re able to assist in saving lives and property by helping to control the fires,” said Maj. Gen. David A. Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota’s adjutant general. “This is part of the Guard’s commitment to helping our community, state and country. Our pilots and crew chiefs fought fires in western North Dakota earlier this year, and now they extend their knowledge, skills and abilities to help others in need.”

Tomorrow the entire nation will enjoy the fourth of July, the day commemorating the signing of our Declaration of Independence.  Celebrations ranging from the Taste of Minnesota festival in St. Paul to the Chicago fireworks will fill our minds, our hearts, and our time. 

In the midst of these celebrations, members of the National Guard will continue to fight the fires. 

A little-known verse of The Star-Spangled Banner, our national anthem, says “Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall stand between their loved homes and the war’s desolation.”  Maybe this time our soldiers are standing between beloved homes and fire’s desolation; they’re still fighting for the American dream–life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

I’m very proud that ND can be a part of that.

• Charming people
• Steering clear of unlucky situations
•  visualizing success 
• being different and daring

One of Barry Farber’s quotes taken from that article:

When I first met Don Levine, creator of G.I. Joe action figures, he was a guest on my New York City radio show. He told me that one of his secrets to success is to go after what he wants with passion and focus, and take action. Then he said, “Barry, fate is a hunter.” I never forgot those words. What he meant is that we create our own luck in life.

I read this and immediately thought of a couple of small North Dakota towns that are already taking Barry Farber’s advice.

• Garrison, North Dakota truly charms people with its annual Skydance Kite festival, the Walleye fishing contest, and its annual Dickens Festival during the winter holidays.  The town has visualized success by planning around these festivals.  Tourists come by the droves, and some come to stay.  In a state that faces a declining population, this ND town is thriving.
• Medora…such a lovely name for a different and daring place.  On the edge of the North Dakota badlands, Medora has made the most of its Teddy Roosevelt history and has grown to include seasonal musicals, several museums and an award-winning golf course that brings visitors from across the nation.  It’s all about being different and playing up what they’ve got.
• Same with Minot, which hosts the Norskfest, and Jamestown, which takes care of a herd of bison that includes three white buffalo.

Steering clear of unlucky situations is hard to do when you don’t know where you’re going.  Several small towns in North Dakota have developed strategic plans to help them stay viable and strong in the next few decades.  They also use it to help them visualize success and look for the types of industries that could thrive in their particular settings. 

In North Dakota, towns are beginning to market themselves in as many ways as possible.  They search for branding strategies that keep them in people’s minds, and they’re beginning to have success.  Maybe the good-hearted, strong-willed, hard-working people behind these efforts have never heard of Barry Farber; I don’t know.  I do know I’m proud of them for doing just what he says will bring success.