North Dakota Department of Commerce

That unique element has prompted sustainability partnerships, including a hydrogen hub located in the state. “We’re going to have this hydrogen–[the] production, transportation, and consumption of hydrogen lead the way from a sustainability standpoint,” says Teigen. “So a lot of really exciting things happening there.” INFRASTRUCTURE ON TAP FOR THE FUTURE As a massive producer of natural gas, North Dakota needs more transportation infrastructure to move its natural resources within the vast state and elsewhere in the country. There’s a pipeline proposal in the works, which figures to connect the state from west to east and better service local communities. That new pipeline will connect to another major system that can deliver natural gas to rural communities, but also make the resource available for large industrial developments. The Missouri River, which carves through the state, is also a fantastic natural resource.With water growing scarcer by the day, there’s another project in the works to take water from Missouri and divert it east to major metropolitan areas where most of North Dakota’s agriculture development takes place. “That’s where the state has invested a tremendous amount of money and kind of where we’re focused now,” says Teigen. Beyond those hardcore infrastructure projects, the state is also tackling the goal of servicing 100% of the United States’ pig iron demand. Pig iron is a key element in the steelmaking process. Right now, Minnesota, for example, can’t produce pig iron due to the state’s regulatory environment. Once the project gets rolling this year, the goal is to dominate the domestic pig-iron market, offering a more reliable alternative to importing from other countries such as China, Russia, or Brazil. Despite everything the state has achieved, North Dakota’s economic engine keeps turning. With a blank canvas of beautiful landscapes and industrial freedom, the Flickertail State is poised to be an economic powerhouse for years to come. 6 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 05