Prairie Public NewsRoom
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

"2020 & Beyond" report shows needs, opportunities

Dave Thompson
/
Prairie Public

A committee that has been gathering suggestions for helping North Dakota continue its economic success into the future has presented its final report.

"2020 & Beyond" is an effort between the Governor’s office, the Legislature and the Greater North Dakota Chamber. The group held meetings around the state. It was given more than 1700 separate suggestions. The report boils those down to some key recommendations. They include: the need for more child care; the enhancement of main streets and downtowns; and using the colleges and universities to help advance economic diversity.

"We would up with some very concrete things to work on," said Gov. Jack Dalrymple. "I got a pretty good idea of what you had found out, and I was able to incorporate several things into the executive budget recommendation. I feel they've already been quite well received, and I am very optimistic about being able to move some of these things foward in a big way."

Dalrymple says about $20 million in his budget proposal can be tied directly to the 2020 and Beyond report.

One of the biggest recommendations to come out of the initiative was the need for child care. Dalrymple says that is a statewide concern.

"I couldn't believe how many people said, 'We need more day care. It's causing us a problem in our work life. We're not afraid to pay for it - we just can't find it in the first place,'" said Dalrymple. He says  he has included five million dollars in his budget proposal to address the issue. It provides a state cost-share for new or remodeled child care facilities.

"2020 & Beyond" steering committee members say the key now is to follow up with the recommendations.

Related Content