July 19, 2019
WILLISTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
NEWS & UPDATES
Dear Williston Wire Readers,

Williston's economy continues to show its strength as it led the state's largest cities in 1Q taxable sales and purchases in percent increases. The latest Economy at a Glance also shows solid growth in enplanements and hotel occupancy. Click here for the report.

Shawn, Ann, Barb & Brenda
XWA on track for October Grand Opening; Cement Shortage resolved
Williston Economic Development - An agreement has been made for the airport to receive weekly shipments of 3,000 tons of cement for paving of the runways and taxiways. Continued efforts are being made by city and state leadership to secure shipments in addition to this current weekly amount. Rumors have been circling that XWA's grand opening is to be delayed due to shipment issues with their ce- ment supplier. However, thanks to coordination between city officials and the manufacturer, approximately 3,000 tons per week will be delivered. Read More
Statewide Enplanements up 10 Percent; Williston Boardings rise 20 Percent
News Release - During the first half of calendar year 2019, North Dakota's commercial service airports provided a total of 580,343 passenger boardings. This is a growth of 53,240 passengers or a 10% increase from this same time period in 2018. Read More   
June YTD Comparison s
 
Williston leads State's Largest Cities in 1Q Taxable Sales and Purchases Percent Increases
Williston Economic Development officials help Grace & Glam celebrate its grand opening on Main Street recently. Williston Economic Development photo
News Release - Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger announced July 18 that North Dakota's taxable sales and purchases for the first quarter of 2019 are up nearly 10%. Three of the state's top six largest cities saw an increase in taxable sales and purchases, all of which are on the west side of the state. The state's largest two cities saw no growth. Percent changes for the first quarter of 2019 for the top six largest cities were as follows: Williston - Increase of 14.79%; Dickinson - Increase of 11.69%; Minot - Increase of 6.10%; Bismarck - Decrease of 0.48%; Fargo - Decrease of 0.61%; Grand Forks - Decrease of 1.86%. Read More
Grace & Glam celebrates Grand Opening on Main Street
The Chamber Ambassadors help Grace & Glam celebrate its ribbon cutting in Downtown Williston. Williston Economic Development photo
Williston Economic Development - A Williston boutique store celebrated its grand opening in its new location recently. Grace & Glam is now located next to Cooks on Main on Main Street. Joe and Mechelle Mortenson purchased and renovated the building to accommodate women's and children's apparel and accessories. The store celebrated with a style show, social hour and entertainment. The Williston Star Fund provided financial assistance to the renovation project.
Busted Knuckle Brewery moves Forward with Williston Project
mug_dark_beer_wood.jpg
Williston Herald - The Williams County Commission voted 5-0 Tuesday, July 16, to give a Montana brewery an extension on the time it has to complete the purchase of a county-owned building. In February, the commission accepted a $700,000 bid from Glasgow, Montana, brewery Busted Knuckle Brewery to buy the old county highway building in Williston. The owners asked for an extension on the closing deadline to Aug. 31. Connie Boreson, one of the owners, told commissioners that getting an appraisal and environmental report had taken longer than expected. Read More
McKenzie County seeks Solutions to Child Care Shortage
McKenzie County Farmer - With as many as 300 children being projected to enroll in kindergarten in the next several years, Watford City and McKenzie County officials are taking steps to help address the area's growing daycare and child care needs. "We've broken it down into three different portions - before and after school care, daycare and the preschool," says Curt Moen, Watford City city administrator.  For the full story, subscribe to the McKenzie County Farmer
Watford City voted Nicest Place in North Dakota
KXNet.com - Watford City was voted the nicest place in North Dakota. Reader's Digest editors sifted through over 1,000 stories of kindness from across America to name 50 finalists, one from each state. The "North Dakota Nice" nomination was from a woman that moved there from Maine. Read More
Head Start opens in Mandaree
kids-coloring.jpg
The Crestwood Maagarishda Center held a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 10. Stock photo
McKenzie County Farmer - Thanks to the financial support of Crestwood Equity Partners, the community of Mandaree now has a state-of-the-art educational center for children of the the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation to grow, learn and receive comprehensive health nutrition and parent involvement services.  For the full story, subscribe to the McKenzie County Farmer
Cape Air Officials gather in Sidney; New Planes announced
Andrew Bonny, vice-president of planning for Cape Air, addresses the crowd at last the July 10 meeting. Roundup photo
Roundup - Cape Air officials met with community members July 10 to outline their plans for continuing air service to northeastern Montana. The Essential Air Service contract is up for renewal, with a meeting in Billings July 12 during which representatives from each area submitted recommendations to Washington. Walt McNutt is the representative for the Sidney area.  Read More
May Director's Cut released; Transportation Issues persist
For more information visit the  May 2019 Director's Cut . File photo
Bismarck Tribune - Oil production in North Dakota held steady this spring, and state officials say they expect challenges related to the transportation of both oil and natural gas to persist. May's numbers - the latest available - show that North Dakota wells produced 1.39 million barrels of crude per day, just 800 per day more than in April. Natural gas production dropped slightly to 2.82 billion cubic feet per day. Department of Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms called the flat numbers "a little bit of a head scratcher," given that the number of active wells in North Dakota reached a record 15,698 in May. That represents a 195-well jump over the previous month. Read More
Upcoming Williston Events
07/23 ------ Williston City Commission
The commission meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

07/25 ------ Summer Nights on Main
There will be live entertainment, food vendors, activities and much more from 5-9 p.m.

08/03 ------ Color Run
Registration at 8 a.m. with run to follow at 10 a.m. at Spring Lake Park! Proceeds to benefit WHS GIrls Swim & Dive program.
 
08/07 ------ 1 Million Cups
The community is invited to attend the meeting from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. at the Teton Lounge. Learn about starting a business from fellow entrepreneurs.

08/09-10 ------ Chokecherry Festival 
Enjoy vendor booths, festival food, live entertainment and family friendly activities at Harmon Park. 

08/13 ------ Williston City Commission
The commission meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

09/11 ------ Northwest North Dakota Job Fair
The job fair will be held fro 2-6 p.m. at the Raymond Family Community Center. Click Here for More Information

10/03-05 ------ XWA Grand Opening Events
Media Day, VIP Day and Community Day are being planned. More details TBA.

Upcoming Energy Events
07/30-31 ------ Permian Basin Completions Optimization & Interwell Communication
The event, held in Houston TX, gives you the opportunity to hear an exclusive case study from Surge Energy America; after successfully completing the longest lateral in the Permian Basin at 3.4 miles.   Registration Information

10/02-03 ------ Bakken Oil Product and Service Show
The two-day event connects industry decision makers, leaders and players at the Raymond Family Community Center.  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
STAY CONNECTED: