JSDC | Labor Survey

LABOR COSTS

North Dakota has a 3% unemployment rate, compared to 6% nationally, and boasts a 330,000 person-workforce. Our low unemployment rate does not mean that you’ll find less workers, however, only a more competitive employee base, due to competitive labor rates. Our workers have the lowest absenteeism rate, the lowest employee turnover, and the lowest work stoppage rate in the United States. We also have one of the lowest unemployment insurance rates in the nation.

SKILLED LABOR

North Dakota's work force is talented and well-trained, raking in the top three in the nation for the percentage of students graduating from high school and the number of higher-ed students per 1,000. Jamestown offers a quality, diverse labor pool due to a variety of education and training opportunities. A strongly-rooted agricultural heritage yields workers with strong mechanical and manufacturing skills. Jamestown College, the state's first four-year private institution, produces graduates in a number of professional fields including business, nursing, sciences, computers and much more. The Vocational Center trains workers for a variety of fields, including manufacturing, health care, trade, and other service professions. Bottom line: Jamestown's competitive wage rates, coupled with a motivated, reliable labor force, yields higher business productivity.

TRANSPORTATION ACCESSIBILITY & COST

Whether by highway, rail or air, Jamestown offers excellent transportation advantages for your business. Centrally located in North America and in North Dakota, Jamestown is also the intersecting point of two major highways: I-94 (east-west) and US Highway 281 (north-south). North Dakota was the first state to complete its 600 miles of Interstate highways. Today it continues to put a high priority on the road construction and maintenance. The state ranks fifth in the nation for the amount spent per capita on maintaining to state's highways. Move to North Dakota and get a bonus: the lowest average auto insurance rates in the nation.

CONSTRUCTION COSTS

Construction costs vary with the individual needs. On average, a steel frame building may be constructed for $30 to $40 per square foot. Housing availability in Jamestown ranges from apartments for singles and couples to condominiums and reasonably priced homes for families. Housing costs are below the national average, and for most, the community offers easy, short commutes from home to work.

ENERGY AVAILABILITY & COSTS

North Dakota possesses a built-in advantage over other states when it comes to meeting your energy needs. With abundant oil, gas, and coal supplies, North Dakota is a significant energy exporter. Statewide power costs are well below the national average -- with the median price for commercial electricity users ranking the 11th cheapest.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

North Dakota's environmental regulations strive for balance between the the prudent conservation of our environmental resources and sensitivity to the operating of our industries. Because the state has met all national ambient air quality standards, air emissions quality restrictions are limited. Most of the state's environmental regulations are administered by the state Department of Health and Consolidated Laboratories, which also has the authority to issue many federal environmental permits.

AVAILABILITY OF LAND/WATER

Over 200 acres of prime industrial land is available in two locations. The Jamestown Airport Industrial Park has 150 acres adjacent to a two-runway facility. The Jamestown Food Processing Industrial Park, which is serviced by a new $16-million wastewater treatment facility, was established in 1996. Of its 202 acres, 55 acres are available for food processors.

COST OF LAND

Industrial property is available from $1,500 per acre, and reasonable long-term property leases are available at the Jamestown Airport Industrial Park. Land costs range from $1 - $4 per square foot (commercial) to $1 - $1.50 per square foot (industrial). Average annual office lease costs are from $3.50 to $7 per square foot.

TAX EXEMPTIONS

New businesses may arrange for up to five years partial or full exemption from local real property taxes, and up to 10 years if the business uses North Dakota agricultural products. Payment in lieu of of property taxes may be used in place of or in combination with property tax exemptions. No sales tax is levied on manufacturing equipment. Primary sector and tourism enterprises may also qualify for a five-year state income tax exemption.

UNION/RIGHT-TO-WORK STATE

Of the 30 largest employers in Jamestown, only two have union employees, and Jamestown is among the minority of states to have to have a right-to-work law. The largely non-union workforce has had no work stoppages in the last five years.