• Tom Gresham

Growth and collaboration mark the economic development picture in the Plains States, which have joined forces to compete against other more populous regions.

• Mark Crawford, Staff Editor, Area Development

Efforts to diversify their economies have helped the Plains States to weather the downturn in the oil and gas industry.

• Area Development Research Desk

Corporate income tax, Corporate income tax exemptions/credits, Wages and salaries, Research and experimental tax credit, Seed capital investment credit, Agricultural commodity processing facility investment tax credit, Biodiesel tax credits, Sales, Use and Gross Receipts Tax, Property tax, Renaissance Zones, Angel Fund Investment Credit, Property tax exemption, Personal property tax, Energy and fuel conservation measures, Automation Credit

• Area Development Research Desk

North Dakota's economic development, finance and tax organizations provide a range of incentive programs to initiate new business and commercial investment.

• Steve Kaelble, Staff Editor, Area Development

Already a powerful region for energy production, the Plains States are luring technology firms with their low taxes and other pro-business policies.