City of Devils Lake Ready For Growth

DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (AP) — After decades of battling the rising waters of Devils Lake, the city of the same name is starting to flourish.

Devils Lake is getting a new big-box store, restaurant, hotel and manufacturer, along with more homes. The city also is considering building a convention and wellness center.

Local economic development official Chris Schilken tells the Grand Forks Herald that it's not "crazy growth" like in the western oil patch, but "growth in a reasonable way."

The flood fight since the early 1990s has cost more than $1.5 billion. But the final pieces of flood protection infrastructure are nearing completion, and developer Rick LaFleur says the community can now plan for growth.