October 9, 2020
WILLISTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
NEWS & UPDATES

Dear Williston Wire Readers

Two City of Williston employees were recognized by Governor Burgum at the Main Street Summit/EDND Fall Conference in Bismarck earlier this week. Our own Shawn Wenko was named Economic Developer of the Year (Urban Community) while Caitlin Pallai, City of Williston Communications Strategist, was honored for her Leadership Williston Project featuring vinyl wraps for city-owned traffic signal cabinets. Two other projects were finalists for the Governor's Choice Economic Development Awards: the Buck Scheele Family Animal Center for Community Development and the Williston Basin International Airport for Project of the Year.

Congratulations to all!

Shawn, Ann, Barb and Brenda
Williston's Wenko, Crosby's Lindsey earn Economic Developer of the Year Awards
EDND News Release - Gov. Doug Burgum presented the Governor’s Choice Economic Development Awards on Oct. 6 during the Main Street Summit, in partnership with the Economic Development Association of North Dakota (EDND). The Economic Developer of the Year award is given to an individual who has made a significant contribution that will leave a lasting impact on the economic health of his or her community or region. The award is presented in both urban community and rural community divisions. Read More
City of Williston's Beautification Project earns Main Street Award
Main Street Summit - Gov. Doug Burgum announced Wednesday the recipients of the 2020 Main Street Awards honoring communities and individuals who demonstrated excellence in elevating the three pillars of the Main Street Initiative through local projects or other efforts. The Culture, Arts and Vibrancy Award went to Williston for empowering local artists to decorate traffic signal boxes throughout their town. #MainStreetND Read More
WED releases Season 3 of Williston Works Podcast
Williston Economic Development News Release - Williston Economic Development (WED) has announced it is releasing Season 3 of its Williston Works Podcast. The first show in the five-part series was released on Thursday, October 8. The podcast is hosted by WED Executive Director Shawn Wenko. He says Williston Works helps show investors, developers and small business owners what is really happening in Williston. Read More
New XWA Pass allows Visitors to Gather, Shop, Dine at Airport
City of Williston News Release - The Williston Basin International Airport (XWA) is pleased to announce a new way to experience the “People’s Airport” with the launch of the XWA PASS Program. “The XWA Pass program follows the City of Williston’s effort to continually improve quality of life for our region,” emphasized XWA Airport Director, Anthony Dudas. “Whether you’re meeting friends or family, have children playing in the play area, or want to watch aircraft while enjoying a meal, this pass provides a unique experience not typically possible in the post 9/11 era.” Read More
Williston's Shemorry helps document Discovery of Oil in North Dakota
Bismarck Tribune/Forum News Service - It was early evening in April 1951 when Bill Shemorry, managing editor of the Williston Press-Graphic, got a call from his editor. North Dakota had just changed forever. For months, the Amerada Petroleum Corp. had been looking for oil on Clarence Iverson’s wheat farm, near Tioga, finding mostly nothing. But on April 4, Shemorry found himself getting into his car and, like a moth to a flame, making his way out to the huge flare now burning by North Dakota’s first fully operational, productive oil well — the first of thousands that would dot the western landscape and transform the state’s future. Read More
SkyScopes President: Bakken Natural Fit for Unmanned Aircraft
Grand Forks Herald - To the personnel at the oil companies in the Bakken, it is advisable for you to look into the ways unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) would be able to save your organization on costs, while providing new data value and improving safety factors. One thing that the North Dakota UAS environment has shown is that drones save money. Their cost savings potential with the Statewide Network (SWN) is only going to increase, warranting further consideration of their use. In tough times, with prices down and a global pandemic, it would make sense to fasten further on ways to ease the economic burden. For oil companies, drones are a great way to do that. Read More
One Basin One Way Program expanding to Permian
Williston Herald - The Bakken’s One Basin One Way program, developed under the leadership of the North Dakota Petroleum Council as a safety orientation for oil and gas workers, is about to expand its reach to a new Basin. The Permian Association of Pipeliners has asked the North Dakota Petroleum Council to bring the program to the Permian. “Their members had been working on a similar program for a couple of years, and they found the One Basin One Way Program meets all their expectations,” NDPC Vice President Kari Cutting told Petroleum Council members during the industry association’s annual meeting. Read More
Cooks on Main to celebrate 10th Anniversary October 15
News Release - Cooks on Main is celebrating 10 years on October 15th from 4pm-8pm and wants to thank the community and surrounding areas with free giveaways, in-store sales, and specials galore! “I can’t believe how quickly the last 10 years have flown by!! I love this community and every day that I get to come into work with my Cooks on Main family. Our loyal customers, staff, and vendor partners have made owning my own specialty kitchen store so fun and exciting” stated owner Angela Skogen. Read More
Ports-to-Plans Alliance to hold Virtual Annual Conference October 28
Ports-to-Plains Alliance - The Ports-to-Plains Alliance Annual Conference is going VIRTUAL this year on Wed, October 28 from 2-4 pm (CDT)! Faced with roadblocks, travel advisories, and caution lights (pun intended) in holding an in-person conference this year, we still want to make sure to inform and update you on what has already proven to be an exceptionally successful year for the Ports-to-Plains Alliance! Read More
Upcoming Williston Events
10/09 ------ Ribbon Cutting at 3E Pastry Cafe
Help celebrate the grand opening of the new Turkish restaurant and bakery at 2 p.m. at 14 2nd St. W. in Downtown Williston.

10/09-10 ------ Moonlight Madness
Participating retailers will be open until 7 p.m. both days. Check out the deals, giveaways, refreshments and more!

10/13 ------ Williston STAR Fund Board
The meeting will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Williston Center for Development.

10/13 ------ Williston City Commission
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the Chamber Room at City Hall.

10/16 ------ Virtual Centennial Celebration
CHI St. Alexius Health Williston Foundation invites the public to a virtual celebration featuring entertainment and an auction from the safety and comfort of your own home! More information

11/04 ------ 1 Million Cups Williston
The meeting will be held from 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Chamber Room at City Hall. 1MC will feature Alliance Consulting and Three Amigos/My Swirl plus coffee from Daily Addiction.

11/19-20 ------ Women in Leadership Expo
The virtual experience will feature keynote speaker Kodee Furst, Co-Founder of Annie Capital, Program Manager at the Nice Center. Email caitlyn@willistonchamber.com for more information.
Upcoming Energy Events
11/20 ------ Williston Basin Petroleum Banquet
The annual awards ceremony will be held from 6-9:30 p.m. in The Well at Williston State College.

12/01 ------ API Monthly Meeting
The meeting will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. at Four Points by Sheraton Williston. More information

05/11-13 ------ Williston Basin Petroleum Conference
The conference will be held at the Bismarck Event Centerter in Bismarck, ND. More information
City of Williston, ND | Economic Development | 701-577-8110 | Email | Website