News Releases for January 2003
January 7, 2003
For further information, please Contact the Governor's Office
Hoeven's State Of The State Maps Smart Growth For North Dakota's Future
State Of The State address
Smart Growth Initiatives
and Investments 
(45kb pdf)
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today in his State of the State address outlined Smart Growth -- a new vision to build growth and prosperity for North Dakota’s future.
Smart Growth is a comprehensive initiative of more than $100 million that combines education, career development, and new technology with economic development to create more better paying jobs and a more dynamic economy for North Dakota.
Citing the courage and determination of Lewis and Clark, and Sakakawea, Hoeven said the state must have a clear vision of the future and roadmap to achieve it.
“We are doing things differently. We must leverage all our resources in new ways. We must use traditional and non-traditional resources in tandem to build our state, and we must work together - a true team effort - to grow our population and create a higher standard of living for all North Dakotans.”
During the decade of the 1980s, Hoeven said, North Dakota lost almost 14,000 people in population, the agriculture base was declining and the state was creating few new jobs. In response, the Greater North Dakota Association (GNDA) started a statewide process called Vision 2000, which, combined with a strong economy, produced more jobs and slowed outmigration throughout the 1990s. Communities like Fargo and Bismarck saw growth between 12 and 22 percent, according to Hoeven.
“But much of rural North Dakota has continued to struggle,” Hoeven said. “Today we need a new focus that begins a second chapter in our quest for prosperity and quality of life. Today, our challenge is not unemployment -- it’s underemployment. Our challenge is to create more higher-paying jobs -- more career tracks -- to keep our young people in North Dakota, and bring others back to our state. Our answer to the challenge of underemployment is Smart Growth.”
In addition to Smart Growth, Hoeven outlined his strategy to fight methamphetamine and substance abuse through increased funding for the Attorney General’s office, Drug Court and a new women’s prison on the grounds of the State Hospital in Jamestown. He also announced the implementation of North Dakota Amber Alert, a statewide plan to enlist every citizen in North Dakota to join the search when a child is missing or abducted.
The Governor promoted an agenda for the elderly that includes increased assistance for nursing homes and home-based care programs, and funding for Healthy SeniorsRx, a new program to provide prescription drug assistance for low-income seniors.
In the aftermath of drought in the southwest region of the state, and flooding in the northeast, the Governor pledged to continue his efforts to win a disaster aid package from Washington for farmers and ranchers. At the same time, he thanked firefighters for combating wildfires that ravaged southern and central North Dakota last summer as a result of dry conditions.
Hoeven also thanked North Dakota’s National Guard, civilian law enforcement, firefighters and other first responders for their efforts in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.
“On behalf of the people of North Dakota, I want to thank these brave men and women for meeting the challenge,” Hoeven said. “To all of them, and their families, and to all of our veterans - because of your willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe, we say thank you, and God bless.”
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