“Fast food workers are getting 12 to 15 dollars an hour in Williston North Dakota without a union. (Rent runs from $2200 to 3 grand a month (2 bedroom apt.), but that’s beside the point).”
Yes, I have a buddy that is a rancher in the Bismark area. He tells me that Walmart has to bus in people to fill the temp jobs. And Walmart has raised prices accordingly.
My friend also says that housing is unavailable at anything other than high prices.
All due to the oil boom in ND.
It’s like the Gold Rush days when the only people profiting were the businesses catering to the workers; prostitutes, bars, casinos, and today add the narcotics -pot dealers and used car dealers.
Not many people are fool enough to risk a $60K (starting) and up oilfield job over getting a buzz on.
So, much of that traffic is going to the service sector and others who aren't subject to testing.