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Oil Boom Creates Socioeconomic Pros And Cons

Victoria Wicks
Brady Pelton, middle, works with North Dakota counties, towns, and schools to protect their interests. At left is Matt Koch, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and at right is Hunter Roberts, energy advisor to SD's governor.

The oil boom in North Dakota has changed that state’s demographics and economy, especially on the western side. The additional income is welcome to business owners and the government. But the huge influx of people and machines comes with a price. At the 9th annual New Horizons Oil and Gas Conference hosted by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, SDPB’s Victoria Wicks learned more about the socioeconomic realities of a boom.

Rapid City freelancer Victoria L. Wicks has been producing news for SDPB since August 2007. She Retired from this position in March 2023.