North Dakota Land Board awards $7.8M in grants to schools in state's oil-producing region

North Dakota's Land Board has awarded $7.8 million in grants to schools in the state's oil-producing region.

Officials say the grants are part of a program aimed at helping communities deal with the effects of rapid energy development.

The Land Board announced Thursday that it approved funding for 33 projects. The projects will fund safety and security needs, teacher housing, temporary portable classrooms and other projects to address increased student enrollment.

The Land Board is headed by Gov. Jack Dalrymple.