FEBRUARY 16, 2018

WILLISTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
NEWS & UPDATES

Dear Williston Wire Readers,
 
A big shout out to Joel Heitkamp of News & Views for broadcasting his program from Williston Economic Development on Friday, Feb. 16. The long-time radio personality interviewed Williston Mayor Howard Klug, organizers of the Hearts for Hospice program and supporters of the School Bond vote. It's always fun to have Joel around to share what's happening in the Williston area.
 
Shawn, Ann, Barb and Brenda 

Main Street Summit guides Community Development
A group of young entrepreneurs takes the stage to share the pros and cons of doing business in North Dakota. Williston Economic Development photo
KFYR-TV - M onday, community leaders gathered to listen to Gov. Doug Burgum promote his Main Street Initiative, which is aimed to help North Dakota compete in the 21st Century workforce. Burgum says the goal of his Main Street Initiative is to build a smart, healthy, and vibrant community where people want to live, raise families, or retire here. There are 13,000 jobs open in the state, and Burgum says he hopes to fill those jobs by turning North Dakota into a community where people want to stay and work here. Read More
Creating Places that attract Millennials
Robert Gibbs and Gov. Doug Burgum are pictured above at the Main Street Summit in Bismarck. Gibbs was a keynote speaker on Feb. 12.
Williston Economic Development - About 20 people from the community of Williston attended the Main Street Summit Feb. 12-13 in Bismarck. Amy Krueger, Williston Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director said, "This was a great conference because it brought all of to the same table to discuss destination development. The next step is to continue developing some of the goals and ideas and implementing them into our current plans." 
Trending; Walkable Downtowns preferred to Shopping Centers
Robert Gibbs and Gov. Doug Burgum are pictured above at the Main Street Summit in Bismarck. Gibbs was a keynote speaker on Feb. 12.
Prairie Public News - One of the keynote speakers at the Main Street Summit in Bismarck - said more and more retailers are abandoning shopping malls - and looking to relocate into downtowns. Robert Gibbs is with the Gibbs Planning Group. He said malls across the country are either closing or trying to adapt to changing shopping patterns. Gibbs said in 10 years, the prediction is 25 to 30 percent of the nation's shopping malls will close. Gibbs said as retail moves back to downtowns, cities do have some problems to overcome. One is parking.  Read More
Burgum unveils New Main Street Dashboard
Gov. Doug Burgum welcomes about 650 people to the Main Street Summit Feb. 12-13 in Bismarck. Williston Economic Development photo
West Fargo Pioneer - As part of his Main Street Summit, Gov. Doug Burgum announced the rollout of the initiative's dashboard. The announcement was made to about 650 people attending the event in Bismarck on Monday. According to the governor's office and North Dakota Department of Commerce, the dashboard provides community leaders publicly available, but not always easy to find, information that can be used to help grow healthy, vibrant, financially solvent communities. Read More 
Williston Enplanements up 8 Percent in January
Williston Economic Development - Williston enplanements were up in January compared to one year ago. The ND Aeronautics Commission reports January enplanements were 5,352 compared to 4,948 in January 2017.   Williston Airport Director Anthony Dudas says he's optimistic the increase will continue. "December 2017 was up eight percent and January continued that trend. We are hopeful we will continue to see more of the same as the energy industry picks up in the Bakken." 
Basement Walls being built at XWA
Williston Herald - The terminal of the new Williston Basin International Airport is starting to take shape - literally. On Wednesday, workers at the site started to pour the first basement walls for the building, a step that keeps the city's project on schedule, according to John Butrick with JE Dunn, the company overseeing the terminal construction. The workers have lost some time because of cold weather, but he said that was accounted for when planning the construction. The basement walls should be poured by the end of the month, with steel and masonry work planned for March. Read More
City Commission considers Proposals for Reconstruction of Major Intersection
Williston Herald - Williston City Engineer Bob Hanson brought a project to the City Commission Tuesday that he said is essential for the success of the planned redevelopment of Sloulin Field. The city plans to use the 800-acre site for housing, a convention center and other projects once the new Williston Basin International Airport opens in late 2019. Hanson said he wanted to submit a grant request to the state to improve highway access to the site. Read More
Community Enhancement Grant helps Hearts for Hospice
Hearts for Hospice is Saturday, Feb. 17, 5:30 p.m.-12 a.m. at the New Armory in Williston. The program received $1,000 from the City of Williston Community Enhancement fund for the event.  
KUMV-TV - If  you've walked into a business recently, you may have noticed paper hearts displayed on the walls. "We've sold about $300 worth," said Treva Ross, manager of Williston Cattails. CHI Health at Home is hosting its first annual challenge. Businesses are competing to raise funds for the area's hospice program. Organizers say the response has been overwhelming.  Read More
Williston Family Crisis Shelter expands to Watford City
Jennifer Winter is managing the Watford City branch of the Williston Family Crisis Shelter. McKenzie County Farmer
McKenzie County Farmer - Jennifer Winter always has her cell phone on. She always has blankets in her car and a purse full of snacks. When victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking are in need of an advocate in McKenzie County, Jennifer is there.  Winter came to Watford City by way of Ohio in 2014. Managing the Watford City branch of the Williston Family Crisis Center, she is a Victim Advocate.  Winter works out of an office in the McKenzie County Law Enforcement Center. For the full story, subscribe to the McKenzie County Farmer
JEDunn selected to build Proposed Williston Elementary Schools, High School Addition
Williston Herald -  A company has been chosen to oversee construction for two proposed new elementary schools and the proposed addition to the high school. The board for Williston Public School District No. 1 met Wednesday morning and selected JE Dunn Construction. The company has several offices throughout the United States, including Williston. Read More
District 1 seeks School Board Candidates
Williston Herald - There will be no incumbents on the ballot in June when three seats on the Williston Public School District No. 1 board are up for election. After Monday's meeting, Board President Kimberly Semenko and board members Brion Norby and Robert Krom all said they would not run for the seats they currently hold. Read More
Bluemle: ND's Geology and its Rocky Mountain-sized Impact
John Bluemle has written a book titled "North Dakota's Geologic Legacy."
Dickinson Press - Don't be fooled by North Dakota's comparatively flat terrain, says John Bluemle, retired North Dakota state geologist. The state's geology has a Rocky Mountain-sized impact, especially where energy resources are concerned. In the 2016 book, "North Dakota's Geologic Legacy," Bluemle offers a vivid model of geologic time that compares geologic history to something that people understand: the length of Interstate Highway 94, west to east, through North Dakota. Read More
Upcoming Williston Events
02/17------ 4th Annual Teton Athletics Ice Fishing Tournament Saturday
It's the 4th annual Teton Athletics Ice Fishing Tournament Saturday, February 17th at Blacktail Dam Read More
 
02/17 ------ Hearts for Hospice
Join Hearts for Hospice for dinner, drinks and dancing to Balderdash! Bid your hearts out during our live and silent auctions. All proceeds to benefit CHI Hospice Williston. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at the New Armory. Must be 21 or older to attend. Call 701.774.7430 to reserve your tickets. Hearts for Hospice Flier

02/20 ------ 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).
 
02/23 ------ Williston Women's Network
The meeting will be held from 8-10 a.m. at New Hope Wesleyan Church. The group's goal is to empower, uplift, motivate and inspire women.
 
02/27 ------ Network before Nine (NB9)
Network Before Nine is a new Chamber-sponsored networking event that runs from 7:30-9 a.m. at Gramma Sharon's Restaurant. Enjoy a light breakfast and bring your business cards for networking!
 
02/27 ------ Williston City Commission
The commission meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at 6 p.m. in the Commission Room at City Hall at 22 East Broadway.
 
03/02 ------ 20 Under Forty Banquet
The Williston Herald will present the 2018 Class of 20 Under Forty. The social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. at the Old Armory.

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.
 
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
02/21 ------ Schlumberger Job Fair
Learn about job openings at Schlumberger from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Job Service in Williston.

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.

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