Money for Oil Country | Video

Jennifer Joas | 3/13/2013

Roads are crumbling, schools are overflowing and there`s a lack of housing. Those are just some of the concerns communities in western North Dakota are facing. Western leaders appeared before the Finance and Taxation Committee to testify in support of a House bill that would direct more money to the west.

Leaders say they want to invest in more infrastructure, but they`re waiting on a sign from the Legislature.

"It`s our feeling as a city that the the formula change provides and grants us a level of optimism to finally address the demands place on our community," said Williston Finance Commissioner Brad Bekkedahl.

The bill would give $750,000 for every percent of people working in the energy industry. So for a community like Williston, with 40 percent of it`s population working for energy, it would get $30 million a year.

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