Vision West Summit | Video

Jennifer Joas | 1/28/2013

As oil production increases, the infrastructure needs in western North Dakota keep piling up. That`s why the Vision West Consortium was created, to help communities in oil country keep up with planning and infrastructure.

Today, the group set up at the capitol to educate lawmakers on what they`ve accomplished over the last year. Local government agencies say the program has been a lot of help.

"We are planning to connect South Heart to our waste water treatment plant. That`s the kind of effort that Vision West can bring to the table and I think legislators and others really like to see that coordinated response," said Dickinson City Administrator Shawn Kessel.

Other challenges the group has identified are childcare, housing and emergency services. They are working to develop a regional plan for all of western North Dakota.

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