May 25, 2018
WILLISTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
NEWS & UPDATES

Dear Williston Wire Readers,
 
Williston Economic Development and the Small Business Development Center are pleased to release eight more videos from their awards banquet. The new videos feature the seven winners' comments at the banquet as well as an overall highlight video. We encourage you to take a few minutes to watch them and share them with your family, friends and colleagues. They offer an extrordinary snapshot of what it's like to do business in Williston!

 Shawn, Ann, Barb and Brenda 

City of Williston to name WRRF in honor of Monte Meiers May 25
The dedication ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. at the Water Resource Recovery Facility. Williston Herald
Williston Herald - The Williston Water Resource Recovery Facility is being dedicated to the man integral to its inception and success, Monte Meiers. The previous wastewater treatment facility was frequently over-capacity in regards to it's daily intake. Now, thanks to Meiers and the WRRF, that is no longer a concern. "This was Monte's vision." said Dave Bell, director of Public Works in Williston. "That vision turned into a need...and that need turned into a project."  Read More
Sogard Family donates 120 Acres for Future Law Enforcement Training Facility
KUMV-TV - The Williams County Law Enforcement Center is looking bigger and brighter. Patrick and Tammy Sogard, who own and operate  American State Bank, have donated 120 acres to the Williston Police Department. "We experienced the great things they do and the sacrifices they make, so if we can give something back to them we absolutely want to do that," said Patrick. The land is located south of Williston, across from the Missouri River, and will be used by various units of law enforcement. Read More
Williston to welcome Midland, Texas Leaders May 31-June 1
City leaders from Midland, TX will visit Williston May 31-June 1 to exchange ideas on handling the ups and downs of the energy industry.
Williston Economic Development - City leaders from Midland, Texas will be in Williston May 31 through June 1 to learn about Williston's response to the challenges of the recent oil boom. The group will bring a total of five representatives to North Dakota including Midland Mayor Jerry Morales. Like Williston, Midland has strong ties to the energy industry and has experienced the same ebbs and flows including recent rapid population growth. (Midland was the fastest growing region from 2010 to 2015 according to the US Census Bureau.)  The first day of the session will be held at the Center for Development. U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp is scheduled to welcome the guests and open the discussion. Read More
Miss America to return to Williston for Pageant
Miss America Cara Mund will raise funds for Make a Wish at a luncheon June 8 in Williston.
News Release - Miss America 2018, Cara Mund will be the featured speaker at the Make A Wish luncheon on Friday, June 8 at 12 p.m. at  the Old Armory in Williston. Cara's personal platform is "Make A Wish Passion with Fashion." At the young age of 14, she founded North Dakota's annual Make A Wish Fashion Show. Read More     Williston Herald: Mund makes Wishes come True
Williston Economic welcomes Summer Intern
Anika Michaelsen is a sophomore studying business administration at Gonzaga University. She will be working with economic development through early August.
Williston Economic Development - Williston Economic Development is pleased to welcome its 2018 summer intern. Gonzaga University student Anika Michaelsen started working for the City of Williston on Tuesday, May 22. The 18-year-old Seattle native is ready to learn all she can about city government.  "I just thought it would be a cool way to push myself out of my comfort zone and do something completely new," said Michaelsen. "I would love to gain some practical work experience while working for a smaller, locally run government." Read More
Williston Herald, City of Williston recognize Yard of the Week Winners

Pictured above are the two yards featured as Yard of the Week on May 23 and May 16. The Williston Police Department selects the weekly winners. Williston Herald

 
Williston Herald - The Williston Herald launched its Yard of the Week campaign on Wednesday, May 16. Now through Sept. 26, the Herald and the city of Williston, will be honoring a community member with an outstanding yard. The yard will be chosen by a member of the Williston Police Department. "Police officers see the community every day and have a unique insight," Herald publisher Ken Harty said. "We thought it made a lot of sense to have the police department involved to help showcase their role in the community." Read More
Oil Patch needs More Workforce Solutions
Cindy Sanford, Customer Service Manager at Job Service North Dakota in Williston, addresses the audience at the annual WBPC about the demand for energy-related jobs in the Bakken. Bismarck Tribune
Bismarck Tribune - Workforce recruiting has moved to the forefront in western portions of the state, North Dakota Petroleum Council President Ron Ness said in his opening remarks for the 26th Williston Basin Petroleum Conference in Bismarck on Tuesday. Job Service North Dakota is on the ground as it participated in four job fairs last week, said Cindy Sanford of the agency's Williston office. During one session, company employees hired 22 of 40 people who approached them. Read More
Bakken Executives eye Disciplined Approach to Energy Development
Ron Ness, left moderates a panel of Bakken CEOs on the topic What's Next for the Williston Basin?" Seated from the left are Thomas Nusz, chairman and CEO of Oasis Petroleum, Erec Isaacson, vice president of Rockies Business Unit, ConocoPhillips and Brad Holly, president and CEO of Whiting Petroleum. Bismarck Tribune
Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota oil production is expected to return to record levels this summer, but executives of top Bakken companies said Thursday they expect the resurgence to be slow and steady. "We're taking a real disciplined approach to development," said Brad Holly, president and CEO of Whiting Petroleum. "We've had enough booms and busts. We need to get this one right." Whiting, now the No. 3 North Dakota oil producer after selling some assets during the downturn, has five drilling rigs operating in the state with no immediate plans to add more. Read More
New Burger King to open in Sidney
Sidney Herald - There has been talk in Sidney of a Burger King for quite some time and now the information is official. Sidney will be home to a new Burger King come September! Retail Investment Group LLC out of Scottsdale, Ariz., confirmed on May 16 that construction is set to start soon at 857 N Central Ave., close to Reynolds and the Candlewood Hotel. The restaurant is planning to open by Sept. 30, 2018. Read More
New Town breaks ground on New Fire Station
New Town News - It has been a long road to hoe, but John De Groot finally got to move a shovelful of dirt to mark the start of the construction of a new Fire Hall for New Town. "It's been about six years since we started fundraising for this," DeGroot said. "With the new higher buildings in the area we need a ladder truck and it won't fit into the current fire station. We can't leave that truck outside. It costs $1 million." Read More
Upcoming Williston Events
05/28------Memorial Day

06/06 ------ 1 Million Cups Williston
Learn how to help new businesses thrive in Williston by attending the free meeting at Williston State College from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

06/06-09------Miss North Dakota Scholarship Pageant
Twenty contestants from across North Dakota will compete for the Miss North Dakota crown. Contact the Williston CVB for ticket information at 701-774-9041. The pageants will be held at the Bakken Elementary Auditorium.

06/12------June Primary Election
The polls will be open from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Williston Area Recreation Center. Bring ID.

06/12------Williston City Commission
The commission meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

07/06-07------Crazy Days in Downtown Williston
The Chamber and Downtowners Association are partnering to bring Crazy Days Williston-Wide. Support small businesses and shop local in Williston.
 
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
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. Conference Website
 
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.

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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