May 17, 2019
WILLISTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
NEWS & UPDATES
Dear Williston Wire Readers,

We celebrated a the achievements of eight businesses, lenders and entrepreneurs May 10 at the Grand Williston Htoel. If you missed the awards banquet (and even if you were there!), check out the pictures and videos below for a fun recap. Thanks to everyone who attended and we hope to see you again next year!


Shawn, Ann, Barb & Brenda
WED/SBDC Awards and Appreciation Recap; The Creative Treatment produces Highlight Video
Williston Economic Development - There is something special that happens once a year in Williston. It's the annual Economic Development and Small Business Development Center Awards and Appreciation Banquet! The past several years, the SBDC and WED have partnered with the The Creative Treatment, a Bismarck-based firm owned by Matt Fern, to bring an energetic and video savvy awards program to Williston. The 2019 event was held May 10 at the Grand Williston Htoel. It featured live entertainment, a delicious meal and eight award presentations. Click on the video below to view the highlights!
2019 WED SBDC Award Highlights
2019 WED SBDC Award Highlights
SBDC honors Creedence Energy Services, FlowCore Systems, Fresh Palate and Justin Voll
The Small Business Development Center recognized its 2019 award winners on Friday, May 10. The upper photos feature Creedence Energy Services - 2019 Existing Business with Kevin Black, Malacki Black and Wyatt Black; Fresh Palate - Woman-Owned Business of 2019 with Taryn Sundby and Lacey Dixon. The lower photos feature Justin Voll, First International Bank & Trust - Lender of the Year and FlowCore Solutions - 2019 New Business with Jon Greiner, Ian Black, Alec Driscoll, Chuck Black and Steve Hayden. The banquet is held each spring during Economic Development Week to recognize the achievements of selected SBDC clients. Keith Olson is the SBDC Regional Director in Williston. He oversees operations in Watford City and Williston.
WED recognizes All Seasons Sport About, Ken Callahan, Leadership Williston and JEDunn
Williston Economic Development - Williston Economic Development celebrated its awards and appreciation banquet on May 10 at the Grand Williston Hotel. The event featured live entertainment from the McNasty Brass Band from Minneapolis, MN, dinner and a program. WED Executive Director Shawn Wenko and Emcee Joel Heitkamp recognized the winners of the WED's four awards. The upper photos feature Ken Callahan, Ambassador of 2019 (pictured with his wife Joann); Leadership Williston - 2019 Community Partnership with Sara Johnson, Rachel Richter Lordemann, Jake Germundson, Andrea Placher and Caitlin Pallai; JEDunn - Project of the Year with Eddie Bolton, Marc Mellmer, Josh Dyck, Mike Lynch and Greg Adams and All Seasons Sport About - Icon of the Year with Lee Gunlikson and Rick Tangedal. The event is held each spring during Economic Development Week to highlight what economic developers do as well as the accomplishments of area entrepreneurs and businesses. 
Food Trucks offer New Dining Options in Williston
As the weather warms up food trucks are opening up in Williston. Williston Economic Development photo
KUMV-TV - People are moving to Williston from all over the world because of the opportunities they see in the food industry here.  The Bahar brothers, originally from Turkey, opened their Istanbul Doner food truck on May 14.  Mustafa ran a restaurant in Austria for 30 years, then moved to California for several months.  The brothers have friends who live in Williston that recommended moving here, so a year ago Yasar moved from Turkey, and Mustafa moved from California to bring Williston a new food experience.   Read More
Overland Aviation celebrates Groundbreaking of new XWA Facility
On May 16, city leaders, airport staff and employees of Overland Aviation and U.S. Customs and Border Protection were on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony for Overland Aviation Fixed Base Operator and the Customs and Border Protection General Aviation Facility. Williston Economic Development Photo
Williston Herald / KXMD-TV - The opening of the Williston Basin International Airport is a little less than five months away, and a groundbreaking at the site is bringing the facility one step closer to completion.
Airport Director Anthony Dudas said the new airport is still well on track for its scheduled opening date of October 10, 2019, with construction ramping up once again now that the weather is beginning to cooperate. The site north of town was a bevy of activity the morning of Thursday, May 16, with crews scattered across the area working on the various projects to complete the multi-million dollar facility.   Read More      KXMD: Jim Olson reports on Groundbreaking Ceremony for Overland Aviation

Leadership Williston celebrates Graduation
The Williston Area chamber of Commerce 2019 graduating class from the Leadership Williston Program are joined by 2019 program director Caitlin Pallai. From left: Brittany Brost, Lakin Mahar, Erin Steig, Kandice Slater, Ashley Weisz, Margot Brunelle, Ashley Krasicki, Caitlin Pallai. Williston Herald photo
Williston Herald - a ceremony on Wednesday, May 15, the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed seven new graduates as part of Leadership Williston's 2019 class.  The Leadership Williston program, now in its 23rd year, was developed by the chamber's Partners in Education and Leadership Committee "To Train and Empower Williston's Future Leaders."  Read More

Construction begins on Freedom Monument in Williston
Construction is underway on the new Freedom Monument at Riverview Cemetery. The project is expected to be completed in late August.
Williston Herald - It may have just been a shovel full of dirt, but that simple scoop of earth signified something very important to many members of the community: construction of the Freedom Monument was now underway.  Ground was broken on Monday, May 8, at Riverview Cemetery in Williston, as crews began preparing the area adjacent to Veterans Plaza for the monument's installation. Read More
Watford City Mayor proclaims Governor Burgum Day May 23
Governor Doug Burgum will participate in events in Watford City on May 23 as part of Governor Burgum Day. Pictured is Burgum with City of Williston leaders during a similar visit in May of 2018. Williston Economic Development photo
Roundup -  Mayor Phil Riely proclaimed Thursday, May 23, 2019 as Governor Burgum Day in Watford City. The governor and his team are coming to visit Watford City for their Main Street Initiative. Mayor Riely urges local businesses to dress up their Main Street storefronts, and residents and students to display their warmest Watford City welcome to the governor and his team that day.  Read More

Watford City to host Firefighters Convention May 30-June 1
Watford City anticipates about 300 people will attend the Firefighters Convention May 30-June 1. Roundup photo
Roundup - This year will be the first-ever Firefighters Convention hosted by the Watford City Fire Department. The 135th Annual North Dakota State Firefighters Convention will take place at the Rough Rider Center located in Watford City. The convention begins May 30 and concludes June 1.  Read More
ND Commerce to provide Matching Funds for Summer Interns
Williston Economic Development's 2018 summer intern, Anika Michaelson, visits with exhibitors at a trade show last summer. Williston Economic Development photo
News Release - North Dakota businesses looking for summer employees can receive up to $4,000 in matching funds by tapping an underused pool of candidates: high school and college interns. Operation Intern, administered from the North Dakota Department of Commerce, is designed to expand the number of new internships, work experience and apprenticeship positions with North Dakota employers. Read More
Upcoming Williston Events
05/27 ------ Memorial Day
City of Williston offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day.

05/27 ----- Williston Boys Baseball Golf Tournament
A fundraiser for baseball programs in Williston. Four person scramble to be  held at Municipal Golf Course.  Read More

05/28 ------ City Commission
The commission meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

06/11 ------ City Commission
The commission meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

06/21 ------ CHI St. Alexius Health Williston Golf Tournament
The four-person scramble tournament will be held at the Eagle Ridge Golf Club. Call 701-774-7404 for more details.

06/25 ------ City Commission
The commission meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
Upcoming Energy Events
06/05-06 ------ 3rd International Safety Culture Summit
The American Petroleum Institute, Saint Mary's University and CN will bring together industry operators, contractors, service/supply companies, academia and regulators together to facilitate collaboration and drive continual improvement. The summit will be held in Chicago.  Registration

07/16-17 ------ Bakken Conference & Expo
The expo is billed as a premier North Dakota Oil Shale event. The two-day show will be held in Bismarck, ND.  Registration Information

10/15-16 ------ The Permian Conference & Expo
The two-day show will be held in Midland, TX. The show is sponsored by the North American Shale magazine.  Registration Information

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