The oil rush in North Dakota has it all. Billions of dollars. Thousands of jobs. "Grapes of Wrath"-like journeys from all across America as people leave desperate situations, hoping for a fresh start. Big business shoe-horning itself into small-town America.
On the positive side, many who have made the trip to places like Williston, N.D., have come away with a job and renewed optimism for the future.
On the negative side, the incredible growth is not without its pains — inadequate housing and crime, to name two emerging concerns. But from public officials to oil executives, there is a tremendous effort to manage it all.