Dear Readers -
The past week has been filled with highs and lows; on Monday fire destroyed a landmark building on Main Street, meanwhile on Tuesday the CEO and founder of Facebook visited Williston. There's more details about these and other economic development stories in the newsletter below.
Shawn, Ann, Barb, Brenda & Micah
Williston Economic Development
|
| Community rallies behind Hedderich's Cleanup |
|
Williston Herald
|
|
| City of Williston leaders discuss plans for the Hedderich's building on Main Street in Williston this week. Williston Economic Development |
The Hedderich's fire was top of mind for Williston City commissioners as they began their regular session meeting Tuesday night. Mayor Howard Klug praised the efforts of the many city departments who had worked together on the fire. Our city staff are doing an outstanding job," he said. "Our fire department, both full-time and volunteer departments from the surrounding communities, including Ray and Alexander, and our airport firemen and staff, our police department and public works - they all did an outstanding job. It was less than 24 hours when they first got called and that building was destroyed, and we are out of there now and the city is safe again." He also thanked Muriel Lippert, who manages the Renaissance on Main, for allowing firefighters to stage in the building and get a break from the heat. Read More KEYZ Radio: Hedderich's Fire likely an Accident
|
|
| Zuckerberg studies ND's Energy Industry |
|
Williston Economic Development
by Barbara Peterson
 |
|
|
Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg poses with a group of people at a drilling rig near Williston. Zuckerberg was interested in learning about technology utilized in the oil patch. |
Mark Zuckerberg's 2017 personal challenge to visit 30 states this year took him on a whirlwind trip to North Dakota this week. The fifth wealthiest man in the world got a firsthand look at the oil and gas industry and Williston on Tuesday, July 11.
The community had little time to prepare for the visit. In fact, Williston Economic Development executive director Shawn Wenko received a call Friday afternoon about the potential visit. Initially he thought it was a hoax.
"I was pretty suspicious. We get all kinds of strange calls and requests. I thought there was probably a 50-50 chance that this was the real deal." Read More
|
|
| Facebook founder takes whirlwind tour of US; recent stops include North Dakota, South Dakota |
|
Wall Street Journal
|
|
|
Mark Zuckerberg and Kathy Neset, owner of Neset Consulting Service in Tioga, pose for a picture July 11 in Williston. Neset explained the unique geology of the shale located in the Williston Basin during Zuckerberg's quick trip to Williston. |
Mark Zuckerberg is trying to understand America, so he's embarked on a journey to meet people like hockey moms and steelworkers who don't typically cross his path. But there are rules to abide by if you are an ordinary person about to meet an extraordinary entrepreneur. Rule One: You probably won't know Mr. Zuckerberg is coming. Rule Two: If you do know he's coming, keep it to yourself. Rule Three: Be careful what you reveal about the meeting.
Read More
|
|
| Gov. Burgum seeks Solutions for Drought Stricken Producers |
|
Dickinson Press
|
|
|
Gov. Doug Burgum has been seeking resources for producers in drought stricken western North Dakota. |
Nearly 100 farmers, ranchers and community members turned out Wednesday to talk with Gov. Doug Burgum and other state officials about the challenges posed by dry weather. They gathered in a public town hall in Golden Valley, located within a designated area of extreme drought in Mercer County in western North Dakota. Burgum was joined by North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann of the North Dakota National Guard, Garland Eberle of the State Water Commission and State Forester Larry Kotchman. Read More
|
|
| Vision West launches Shop Local Challenge |
|
News Release
 Going on now, and running through August 31st, Western North Dakota communities are invited to join the "Shift the Way You Shop Challenge!" Vision West ND understands the tremendous economic impact of supporting local businesses, and is committed to building and diversifying our local economies. Because of this, we are issuing a challenge to residents in all communities within our region to shift 10% of their spending back into local products and services. The number of individual pledges to make the 10% shift will be tracked by county of residence, and the county that receives the highest percentage of individual pledges pro-rated by county population will be the winner. Read More
|
|
|
Cooks on Main increases Retail Space, Online Presence
|
Williston Herald
 The sounds of construction have been ringing out on Main Street, but not just on the street itself. Some of the Main Street businesses also have projects underway. Among these is Cooks on Main, which will not only be doubling its retail space and adding to its culinary classes with a move into the store next door, but will also be offering a new service that will allow people to shop for at least some culinary items online.
Read More
|
|
| Gendreau featured at 1 Million Cups Williston |
|
Williston Economic Development
|
|
|
| Wendy Gendreau, owner of Real Deals on Home Décor, was the featured presenter at 1 Million Cups recently. Williston Economic Development |
|
About 25 people attended 1 Million Cups Williston meeting Wednesday, July 12 at Williston State College. The featured speaker was Wendy Gendreau, a self-taught and self-disciplined entrepreneur who owns Real Deals on Home Décor in Williston. The wife and mother of five children is also a top leader with Le-Vel and life coach. Gendreau shared her advice on starting all types of businesses in Williston. Watch for her full presentation soon via YouTube. One Million Cups Williston meets the first Wednesday of every month at 8:30 a.m. at Williston State College. Coffee is provided by Smiling Moose Deli. The programs are free and open to the public.
|
|
|
Connecting Communities BBQ held in Glasgow July 11
|
|
Williston Economic Development
|
|
|
| WRED members help grill and serve burgers in Glasgow, Mont. recently. Pictured from left to right are Micah Spanner, Brad Curtis, Bill Glenn and Ken Callahan. Williston Economic Development |
|
The Williston Regional Economic Development Corporation held its second free BBQ of the summer in Glasgow, Montana on Tuesday, July 11. The group travels to three different communities each summer to provide an appreciation luncheon. The BBQ features free burgers, a live radio remote with KEYZ Radio, promotions from Williston State College and CHI St. Alexius Health Williston, and much more! WRED served approximately 75 residents in Glasgow to thank them for supporting the Williston trade region.
|
|
|
Tioga EMS moves into New Space
|
Tioga Tribune
by Marcus White
|
|
|
The much-needed new space for Tioga EMS has opened. |
Tioga EMS parted ways with space it shared with Tioga Fire last week. A new building, planned nearly two years ago, went into operation, allowing the ambulance service more room to operate and grow. "We need the extra space," assistant trainer Daniel McGinnity said. "It was too crowded with all of the equipment." The new facility is located directly across the road from the fire department at the corner of North Front and Welo.
To read the full story, sign in to our online edition.
|
|
|
Sidney Chamber names New Executive Director
|
Roundup
 The
Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Search Committee has named Susan Joy as its new Executive Director. Susan began her new duties on Wednesday, July 5th. As Executive Director, Susan will oversee the Chamber's operations as well as work with its staff and volunteers to ensure Chamber programs and services run with the high degree of excellence that its membership expects. Before joining the Chamber, Susan served as the Executive Director of the Headwaters Science Center in Bemidji, Minnesota.
Read More
|
|
| Upcoming Williston Events |
07/15 CHI St. Alexius Williston Auxiliary 24th Annual Garden Tour
Get your tickets for the tour at First Lutheran Church beginning at 9 a.m. The tours will run from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Proceeds will help purchase hospital equipment.
Garden Tour News Release
07/15 Williston Fly-In
The community is invited to the Williston Fly-In from 7 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Sloulin Field International Airport. Enjoy a pancake breakfast, aircraft rides, laser tag and much more!
Williston Fly-In flier
07/18 CHI St. Alexius Health Community Picnic
Join the hospital for its annual community picnic. Meet the physicians, paint a rock and enjoy a free burger.
Community Picnic Flier
08/02 1 Million Cups Williston
The meeting will be held from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Williston State College!
08/05 Kasmer & Aafedt Oil Charity Golf Tournament
The annual tournament will be held at the Links of North Dakota. Contact John@kaoil.net to register your team for an area nonprofit. All registration fees and cash prizes will benefit designated nonprofit organizations in Williston!
08/30-31 Williston Economic Summit & Trade Show
The WEST event will be held at the Grand Williston Hotel and Conference Center. The show will feature the WED/SBDC awards and appreciation dinner Aug. 31.
|
|
| Energy Events |
|
07/17-19 The Bakken Conference & Expo
The Bakken Magazine will put on the conference that focuses on Bakken Play technologies and efficiencies in Bismarck.
Registration
08/04 Dakota Energy Fest
The third annual Williston event will feature the Lewis & Clark Walleye Classic, Job Fair Workforce Expo and Concert featuring Scott Stapp (Creed).
08/16-17 Summer NAPE
The annual
Summer NAPE expo in Houston is a networking event that brings together all the players necessary to forge, facilitate and close deals. The event will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.
09/26-28 NDPC Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
