Minot, N.D. (AP) Officials say the Minot Air Force Base is struggling to fill federal civilian jobs as more potential employees head to work the Bakken oil fields.
U.S. Senators Heidi Heitkamp and John Hoeven met with federal civilian employees Friday to hear concerns. They were joined by office of Personnel Management Director Katherine Archuleta.
Air Force officials say potential employees are being pulled away to work at high-paying jobs in the Bakken oil fields. Archuleta says current employees also told her it's getting more difficult to afford the rising cost of living in Minot.
The cost of living in Minot moved from being 14 percent below the national average in 2003 to 6 percent above the national average in 2013.