July 13, 2018
WILLISTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
NEWS & UPDATES

Dear Williston Wire Readers,
 
Western North Dakota is rallying to provide relief efforts to Watford City after a tornado and high winds caused extensive damage to parts of the community and completely wiped out an RV park. If you would like to support the cause contact McKenzie County Emergency Management, the American Red Cross or Cornerstone Bank.  

 Shawn, Ann, Barb, Brenda and Anika 

ConocoPhillips donates $25,000 to Disaster Relief Efforts in Watford City
Bakken Multi-Well Pad in North Dakota. ConocoPhillips photo
News Release - ConocoPhillips has announced it will donate $25,000 to the American Red Cross to assist in disaster relief efforts arising from the recent tornado in Watford City, North Dakota.   "Our thoughts are with the Watford City community, which has been impacted by Tuesday's devastating tornado," said Alan Bruce, Williston Operations Manager for ConocoPhillips. Read More
Watford City seeks Housing, Household Items and Cash Donations for Displaced Residents
A tornado wreaked havoc on an RV park in Watford City July 10. KUMV-TV photo
Roundup - More than two-dozen people were injured, and a seven day-old baby was killed, when a tornado tore through Watford City on Tuesday, July 10. The tornado, which reached speeds of 127 miles per hour, destroyed more than one hundred structures and damaged vehicles and property.  All types of donations are needed. "Housing is a big thing. We're trying to put people into housing, so if anybody has housing available, please let us know," said McKenzie County Emergency Manager Karolin Jappe. "We're also looking for household items, toasters and even things like that. These people were left with practically nothing." Read More
Wenko, Stenberg to provide Economic Development Updates July 17 in Watford City
Williston Economic Development Executive Director Shawn Wenko will present at the Bakken Conference & Expo in Watford City.
Roundup -   Bakken region operators, suppliers, consultants, local officials and many others will convene in Watford City for the three-day Bakken Conference & Expo, beginning on July 16. Among the many exhibits and panels of speakers is "Boomtown 2.0: New Realities for Real Estate, Roads and Community Enhancement," offering an update on the economic status of the region. Local officials Shawn Wenko, Executive Director of Williston Economic Development, and Daniel Stenberg, Economic Development Coordinator for McKenzie County, are on the panel of four speakers in the one and a half hour session. 
Oasis Exec to Keynote Bakken Conference and Expo July 17 in Watford City
Jason Swaren will present July 17 at 8:40 a.m. at the Bakken Conference & Expo in the Field House at the Rough Rider Center.
Roundup - The  keynote speaker for the 4th annual Bakken Conference & Expo  will be Oasis Petroleum Vice President of Operations Jason Swaren. The event will be held July 16-18 in Watford City. Luke Geiver, program director for the Bakken Conference & Expo, said the conference will offer something for nearly everyone who is active in the oil patch. "From major operator perspective to the latest updates in field-level technology, we've created an event that is accessible and valuable to multiple Bakken stakeholders."
New Mobile Food Truck Ordinance takes Effect in Williston
Tami Enget, co-owner of Jer Bears Sno Shack takes an order from her daughter Lexie, a detective with the WPD, at Crazy Days July 6. Williston Herald photo
Williston Herald - With unanimous approval, city commissioners gave the final vote to allow food trucks within Williston. Ordinances 1083 and 1084 were both approved at Tuesday's meeting, meaning that mobile food vendors can begin the application process to begin operation in and around Williston. While the road has been paved for food trucks to begin operation, there are still protocols they will need to follow before sales can begin. Read More
Williston Airport Director among CVB Award Winners
Williston Mayor and Williston CVB Board President Howard Klug presented Anthony Dudas (second from left) and Jeff Zarling (fourth from left) with the "Tourism Champion" and "Event of the Year" awards respectively. 
News Release - The Williston Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) recognized the winners of seven local tourism awards at its annual meeting July 10. The 2018 winners included the following: Lewis & Clark State Park for Attraction of the Year; Bakken Oil Product & Service Show for Event of the Year; Miss North Dakota Scholarship Organization for Tourism Organization of the Year; Airport Director Anthony Dudas for Tourism Champion; Anna Morgan with Holiday Inn Express for Tourism Employee of the Year; and Michelle Thrasher with Candlewood Suites for Tourism Leader of the Year. Read More     KUMV-TV: Williston CVB honors 2018 Award Winners
Williston Business evolves from Oil Boom to Scrap Boom
Chamley Pipe & Salvage continues to diversify as it expands in western North Dakota. Recycling Today photo
Recycling Today -  Years ago, before the oil boom took over the prairies of western North Dakota, Will Chamley was a solitary businessman roaming the oil fields, renting power swivels and mud pumps for servicing cased oil wells. "The year] 2005 was a quiet time," Chamley recalls. "Not much was going on. I started to see discarded scrap metal on the ground around the oil well sites and, looking for some additional income, I began to collect the material on weekends. I cut the scrap metal with a torch, put it in a small dump trailer and sold the iron. Eventually, it turned into a full-time job." 
Shopko closes in Tioga; Residents hope for New Tenant
The Shopko Hometown store in Tioga officially closed its doors on Saturday, June 30. Tioga Tribune photo
Tioga Tribune - Tioga area shoppers found deals of up to 80 percent off in the final days leading to the closure of the local Shopko Hometown store. All final liquidation sales were Saturday, June 30. Area residents seemed unaware of the cause of the closure and expressed hope that a new store might open in the building. To read the full story, sign in to our online edition.
About 150 gather for Connecting Communities BBQ in Ray

Williston Economic Development

The second Connecting Communities BBQ of 2018 attracted about 150 people from Ray and Williston. The popular summer gatherings are sponsored by Williston Regional Economic Development, Williston State College, Cherry Creek Radio, CHI St. Alexius Health Williston, MDU, the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce and others. The BBQ's allow Williston to say thank you to residents who shop, dine, visit, doctor and stay in Williston.
Oil Industry provides Largest Paychecks in US
Bloomberg - Move over Wall Street titans and Silicon Valley giants. When it comes to paychecks, Big Oil now looks like the best bet for U.S. workers. Spurred partly by the shale boom, the median pay for energy workers last year was $123,000, according to data newly mandated by the U.S. That topped all sectors, including utilities, tech and health care. What's fueling this paycheck potency? First, a reliance on geologists, petroleum engineers and other highly skilled, well compensated professionals. Read More
Upcoming Williston Events
07/14 ------ 25th Annual Garden Tour
CHI St. Alexius Health Williston Auxiliary's annual garden tour will begin at 
9 a.m. at First Lutheran with a demonstration followed by the tour from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

07/14 ------ Rockin' Ribfest
The annual contest and celebration will be held on the Williston State College campus.

07/14 ------ Williston Fly-in
Check out the family-friendly Sloulin Field International Airport from 7 a.m. - 12 p.m.

07/19 ------ Summer Nights on Main
The live music will begin at 5 p.m. on Main Street in Downtown Williston. Enjoy entertainment, food vendors, shopping and other activities for the whole family!

07/24 ------ Williston City Commission
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the Commission Room at City Hall.

08/01 ------ 1 Million Cups Williston
The presenters will be Anna's Groom Room and Roughneck Coffee with complimentary java provided by Roughneck. Join us at 8:30 a.m. at the Teton Lounge on the Williston State College campus.

10/04 ------ Women in Leadership Expo
The expo will be held from 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. at TrainND. $59 per person. Limited Seating Available! Register at  www.willistonstate.edu/trainnd  or call 701-572-2835.

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

07/17 ------  Bakken Rocks Cookfest in Grenora and Twin Buttes
The annual event offers great BBQ, seminars on the oil and gas industry and fun entertainment for the whole family! Event Schedule
 
07/17-18 ----- MHA Energy Conference
This year's expo will bring together North American Tribal Nations, oil & gas companies, ideas, innovations and people who will shape the future of the oil and natural gas industry. The conference will be held at the 4 Bears Event Center  located near New Town.   Registration Information

07/18 ----- Bakken Classic Fishing Derby
The charity tournament benefits wildlife and conservation projects in North Dakota. Registration is open. Tournament to be held at Four Bears Casino and Marina four miles west of New Town. Registration Information

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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