Gov. Jack Dalrymple said that about $120 million of that money has been spent on road projects in oil-producing counties.
The governor said the state still has $885.3 million in its coffers that will go toward rebuilding roads and streets, upgrading wastewater treatment systems, addressing growing student enrollments and improving law enforcement and emergency services.
“The remarkable growth in western North Dakota’s oil and gas industry has created great benefits and opportunities for our state, but this growth brings its own challenges. Our progress is not without hardships, but we are fully committed to meeting the challenges of rapid economic growth,” Dalrymple said.
A series of community meetings are expected to take place in the coming weeks to be participated by state officials to hear from residents in oil country.
During the 2011 session of the North Dakota Legislature, nearly $1 billion in funding was approved for oil country.
In a week-long November special session, the Legislature approved an additional $35 million to the Oil and Gas Impact Grant Fund.
The state also has spent approximately $19.5 million out of $142 million for county and township roads in oil country. Williams County was approved for about $19 million out of the $142 million
Dalrymple said the challenges in oil country require not just money, but the efforts of everyone working together.
“It requires innovative solutions and a strong commitment from the state, our counties and cities and private industry,” Dalrymple said.