MARCH 9, 2018

WILLISTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
NEWS & UPDATES

Dear Williston Wire Readers,
 
 Two new businesses are creating quite a buzz around Williston. Exhale Yoga & Wellness will celebrate its grand opening at the Harvest Plaza later this month. The studio specializes in hot yoga classes for all levels. Meanwhile, Lost Key Escapes is providing fun entertainment for people who want to try a popular escape room experience.  There is so much to do in Williston!
 
Shawn, Ann, Barb and Brenda 

Wenko appointed to ND Rural Development Council
Williston Economic Development Executive Director Shawn Wenko has been appointed to the ND Rural Development Council.
News Release - Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed 12 members to the North Dakota Rural Development Council, which he reconvened in December to support the development of rural communities across the state through collaboration between government and the nonprofit and private sectors.  Williston Economic Development's Shawn Wenko made the list, as did economic developers from Watford City and Bowman.
  
Exhale Yoga & Wellness to celebrate Grand Opening March 23
Kari Hauge will celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting of Exhale Yoga & Wellness on March 23 at 2 p.m. in her studio at the Harvest Plaza. Williston Economic Development
Williston Economic Development - Williston native Kari Hauge returned to her hometown about five years ago after living in Texas for eight. She said one of the things she missed the most was her favorite yoga studio and classes. "I remember going to this place in Austin and it had wonderful energy. You could just walk in there and it had such great positive energy and girls supporting other girls," said Hauge. Since Williston didn't have what Hauge was searching for, she ultimately opened her own business last September. Exhale Yoga & Wellness is located in the Harvest Plaza in the Harvest Hills subdivision. Read More
New Escape Room opens in Williston
Buy tickets online at lostkeyescapes.com.
NyNDNow.com - Need an escape from the everyday hustle and bustle? Escape rooms promise to give you just that. Or rather, give you the opportunity to try.  "I didn't know what to expect. I was like what the heck is this?" says Samuel Cruz, who recently visited his first escape room. "Once we got into the rooom, I sort of got the hang of it and it was pretty fun," says Cruz. Escape rooms have gained popularity across the country in recent years, each with its own theme. Lost Key Escape Rooms recently opened in Williston. Read More           
Economic Development adds Intern through Job Service Program
"Devin (Northington) brings a fresh Millennial perspective to the office," said Shawn Wenko, Williston Economic Development executive director. Williston Economic Development photo
Williston Economic Development - Williston Economic Development (WED) has a new intern. Devin Northington, age 20, joined WED on March 1, 2018. Northington was matched with WED through a Job Service North Dakota program called the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act  (WIOA). The program links eligible youth, aged 14-24, with businesses that are capable of providing a positive educational experience. Read More
1 Million Cups Williston celebrates 1st Anniversary
About 30 people attended 1 Million Cups on March 7 at Williston State College. Williston Economic Development
Williston Economic Development - 1 Million Cups Williston celebrated its 1st Anniversary on Wednesday, March 7. The one-hour meeting featured presentations from Jon Greiner, owner of Basin Safety Consulting (pictured upper left) and John Lisle (pictured lower left) and TJ Woodward from S&B Drilling. The complimentary coffee was provided by Meg-A-Latte. Greiner and Lisle shared the ups and downs of owning their own businesses. 1MC provides educational opportunities for the listening community, presenters and organizers. A video from the event will be released soon. The next meeting will be held April 4 at 8:30 a.m. at Williston State College. 
Williston Herald releases 20 Under Forty Banquet Video
Pictured is Terry Olin during the 20 Under Forty celebration recently at the Old Armory. Williston Economic Development
The Williston Herald has released a video from the 20 Under Forty Banquet held on Friday, March 2 at the Old Armory. The celebration featured a dinner, awards program and dance. If you missed the live event you can still watch the action on their video. 20 Under Forty Video
Williston School District holds Q&A for Bond Referendum
The special election for the bond referendum will be held March 20. Williston Economic Development
Williston Herald - It comes down to enrollment. Williston Public School District No. 1 had about 3,000 students in 2014, when the last bond referendum passed. That paid for the new high school, which opened in the fall of 2016. Since then, enrollment growth has been faster than projected, even as the oil boom cooled and population growth slowed.  Read More
Lawmakers propose Legacy Fund provides Loans for Infrastructure Improvements
Sen. Brad Bekkedahl is one of four lawmakers calling for the state's Legacy Fund to provide revolving loans for infrastructure projects.
Williston Herald - Sen. Brad Bekkedahl is among a group of state senators proposing an idea that would put a portion of North Dakota's Legacy Fund to work. The Legacy Fund, approved by voters in 2010, receives 30 percent of the state's petroleum revenues. Its balances now tops $4.256 billion - and growing. It's been adding an average $48.3 million per month of late, as compared to an average of $35.3 million last year. That's a lot of money, and Gov. Doug Burgum has been challenging state officials and residents to think of "innovative" and "transformative" uses for the fund. Read More     Minot Daily News: Lawmakers promote Revolving Loan
US Oil Boom fueled by Tech Boom
Professor Eric van Oort uses this 'virtual oil rig' to do research at the University of Texas at Austin. Mose Buchele/KUT
NPR - The U.S. is on track to become the world's biggest oil producer, pumping out more crude than at its peak nearly a half century ago. For decades, few expected such a comeback, and it's all the more remarkable because the price of a barrel of oil is nowhere near what it was during the last, recent boom."This is an incredible statement, but we're probably making more money at fifty dollars a barrel than a hundred," says Kirk Edwards, president of Latigo Petroleum in Midland, the de facto oil capitol of West Texas.
Upcoming Williston Events
03/09  ------ Williston Chamber Eggs & Issues
Learn about the Williston Public School District #1 Bond Referendum from Superintendent Michael Campbell and others. The meeting will begin at 7:30 a.m. at TrainND.

03/13 ------ Williston City Commission
The commission meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. in the Commission Room at City Hall at 22 East Broadway.

03/19 ------ Williston Planning and Zoning Commission
The commission meets the third Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Commission Room at City Hall at 22 East Broadway (February meeting date changed due to President's Day).

03/23 ------ Ribbon Cutting for Exhale Yoga & Wellness
The Williston Chamber's ambassadors will hold a ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. at the Harvest Plaza.
 
07/10-12 ------ ND Water Resource Districts Association's Summer Meeting
The 2018 North Dakota Water Resource Districts Association's annual summer meeting will be held at the Grand Williston Hotel and Conference Center.

Upcoming Energy Events
03/05-06 ------ Oil States Job Fair
The job fair will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. both days at Job Service in Williston.  Job Fair flier.
 
03/13 ------ Williston Basin Chapter API monthly meeting
The meeting will be held  at the Grand Williston Hotel and Conference Center. The social will begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The keynote speaker will be North Dakota Tax Commission Ryan Rauschenberger. 
 
03/21 ------ NDPC Denver Social
The meeting will be held at the Denver Petroleum Club in Denver, CO.

05/22-24 ------ Williston Basin Petroleum Conference
The 26th annual event will be held in Bismarck, ND. Early bird general attendee registration is open until April 12, 2018.
 
05/22-23 ------ Energy Exposition
The 2018 Energy Exposition will be celebrating 19 years as the Rocky Mountain's longest running energy trade exhibition. The event will take place at The Ranch Events Complex in Loveland, Colorado. Reserve booth space today.  Energy Exposition

The Summer 2018 event will be held at the Rough Rider Center in Watford City. 

09/24-26 ------ NDPC Annual Meeting
The meeting will be held at the Ramada in Fargo, ND.

10/03-04 ------ Bakken Oil Product & Service Show
The 8th annual trade show and seminars will be held at the Raymond Family Community Center. Bakken Oil Show website

City of Williston, ND | Economic Development | 701-577-8110 | Email | Website
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