But now, leaders in Oil Patch cities that invested hundreds of millions of dollars to cope with the crush of boom activity are focused on answering questions about how to pay off the red ink of high municipal debts while anticipating future spending needs.
"The thing to remember are the challenges that happened when smaller communities had to build out infrastructure at a pace that couldn't be supported," said Gene Veeder, a member of the McKenzie County Board of Commissioners and Watford City's head of economic development. "The big 100-year projects were all built within like five years here."