Powerball Fever on the Border - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Powerball Fever on the Border

In nearly every state in the US, Powerball tickets are being printed at a record pace.

Millions of people are trying to win the record 550 million dollars in tonight's Powerball drawing.

And it's not just Americans hoping to beat the astronomical odds and win the cash.

As Jennifer Thorgramson found out, some of our neighbors to the north are making trips across the border to try their luck too.

Sherwood, North Dakota.

Population: 255.

(Tammie Krause, Cenex Sherwood, ND) "It's been really crazy over the last few days. It's the highest I've ever seen it and I've been here three years in November."

Either everyone in town is on board, or our neighbors to the north are hoping the two mile trip across the border will be worth the while.

(Tammie Krause, Cenex Sherwood, ND) "I've seen a lot of Canadians the last couple of days."

(Ron Boyser, Brandon, Manitoba) "I do buy in Canada. Occasionally I have here, and I've won nothing. Absolutely nothing. I had kind of quit for awhile but I don't know, it's worth it I guess."

(Robert Johnson, Sherwood Resident) "We're talking half a billion dollars here! I could have a lucky stroke here. You never know."

The locals have their own reasons for putting pen to Powerball.

(Robert Johnson, Sherwood Resident) "If I should get extraordinarily lucky, I don't expect this to happen, but I've seen my last North Dakota winter."

In the two hours we spent in Sherwood Wednesday morning, the jackpot jumped another $50 million.

(Robert Johnson, Sherwood Resident) "I've always let the machine do the selecting for me. (((NAT))) Slims out of town."

Even the skeptics are swayed by the sizable sum.

(Ron Boyser, Brandon, Manitoba) "I figured, small town, not as good of odds. But like Tammie says, you can't win if you don't buy a ticket."

And while it's all fun and games... $550 million does a number for business.

(Tammie Krause, Cenex Sherwood, ND) "With the Canadians coming and spending their money and what-not. People come in just for the tickets and of course they buy other things in the store. So it helps for business."

(Robert Johnson, Sherwood Resident) "I don't care if I have to share it with ten people."

Tickets in hand, Powerball players are left to dream up purpose for a border less fortune.

In Sherwood, Jennifer Thorgramson, KX News.

The chances of winning the half-billion dollar Powerball prize are one in 175 million.