The New Homestead Act of 2007
Where history meets hope and opportunity
Over the past fifty years, nearly two-thirds of rural counties in the Great Plains lost at least one third of their population. In North Dakota, the problem shows no signs of slowing — 47 of the state's 53 counties lost population between 2000 and 2005.
Chronic population losses drain a community of its work force, customer base and capital, making it difficult to attract new business and industries and to retain those already located in the community. Demographers predict that, left unchecked, such population losses and the problems they create will only continue and accelerate.
For several years now Senator Dorgan has been working with Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska on bipartisan legislation called the New Homestead Act to halt chronic out-migration, or population loss, and economically revitalize rural communities.
Senator Dorgan has introduced the New Homestead Act, S.1093, which would offer people willing to commit to live and work in high out-migration rural areas for at least five years a number of financial incentives to help them buy a home, pay for college, build a nest egg and start a business.