If the phrase “United we stand, divided we fall” ever
pertained to a county, it would be Burke County, North
Dakota.
Ever since the 1930 Census reported the county’s
population two people short of 10,000, Burke County has
lost about 100 people per year every year for 80 years.
The 2010 Census reported that only 1,968 citizens
remained in 2010. Over 80% of the population prior to the
Great Depression has been lost. Only two of 3,140
counties in the U.S. have experienced greater population
loss on a percentage basis.
But, for the first time in 80 years, Burke County is growing.
Even the relative isolation of the county cannot escape
one of the most significant economic growth movements
in American history. Burke County is in the Bakken Oil
Field—and the Bakken means new people, new jobs,
pressures on roads and infrastructure, and yet a fresh
opportunity to craft a future based upon the promise of a
better day.
Despite the vigor of the virtually uncontrollable economic
possibilities, the dream of a better day is most challenged
by the longstanding division within the county. Where
difficult circumstances generally cause people to band
together, Burke County has generally adopted an “every
man for himself” posture. Cities within the county have not
collaborated. And the county population has been divided
by five--10,000 to 2,000.
Then came Plan Week. A small nucleus of community
volunteers and leaders committed themselves to working
together. It no longer matters whether you reside in
Bowbells, Columbus, Flaxton, Lignite, Portal, or Powers
Lake. What matters is you live in Burke County, and the
time is now to take charge of the future. This plan is about
the people who care the most about Burke County
creating a future that benefits those who have remained,
and inviting a new generation of citizens who not only will
call Burke County home, but will build communities with
the positive outlook that pervaded the same county a
century ago.
Burke County now has a student enrollment that is
growing. Burke County now has population inflow that is
causing serious discussions about how to accommodate a
growing population. Good neighbors welcoming good
neighbors.
Burke County is worth fighting for. While the population
would have to quintuple only to reach the level of 1930,
six cities are poised to welcome new neighbors, and to
create better communities for the people who still call
Burke County home.
Selected Strategies
Score
Infrastructure Development
69
Energy Development
59
Attracting Government Funding
49
Downtown Development
40
Business Retention and Expansion
38
Bedroom Community
38
Local/Regional Tourism
13
Quality-of-life Initiatives
Fire and Emergency Responders
Growing Child Care in Burke County
Housing
Recreation Facilities and Programs
Roads
The "Community Thumbprint" presents the 25 strategies in terms of their potential for successful
implementation by Burke County.
Plan Week
Plan Director
June 14-15, 2012
Dan Linster
Steering Committee
Dan Folske, Extension Agent - NDSU Extension
Dan Linster, Plan Director - City of Bowbells
Dave Sellie, County Commission Chairman - Burke County
Janet Cron, Tax Assessor and Tax Equalization Dir. - Burke County
Lanette Jager, City Auditor - City of Bowbells
Larry Bryant, Mayor - Lignite
Marla MacBeth, Secretary - Burke County Planning and Zoning
Sandy Raines, City Councilor - City of Columbus
Sherry Lalum, Superintendent - Burke Central School
© 2013 Building Communities, Inc.
Prepared for Vision West North Dakota