Williston Economic Development

by Barb Peterson

The Western Star CTE building prepares for its grand opening.

The Williston Motor Vehicle office gets ready for the July 5th opening.

More office space and more staff should equate to a more enjoyable trip to the Motor Vehicle branch office in Williston.  The office officially opened its doors on Tuesday, July 5^th, at its new location on the Williston State College (WSC) campus.  The Williston branch office is being housed in the new Western Star Career and Technical Trade Center building.  Its hours of operation are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday, including the lunch hour.  "We will be the envy of the state," Keith Olson, Motor Vehicle director, said.  "We have a larger space than Fargo, Grand Forks or Bismarck and all new equipment.  We will also be able to accept debit and credit cards."  See Entire Story.

Williston Economic Development

Williston State College (WSC) has announced it will break ground on its new Science Center on Wednesday, July 20, at 2 p.m.  The event will be held on the campus of WSC.  The public is invited to attend.

Williston Economic Development

by Barb Peterson 

The Williston Public Works department has added a new clickable, interactive map of Williston to the city's websites.  The online map has been used by the public works department for 2 to 3 years - but now they are making it available to the public.  The map provides all types of information about Williston - you can conduct a query search to determine the owner and legal description of a parcel or subdivision; find out where utility lines are located for sanitary, storm and water; even view an aerial shot of a section of the city.   See Entire Story. 

Pictured is a portion of the interactive map of Williston.

Williston Herald

The Williams County Commission had a discussion on its stance regarding new man camps recently.  Discussion included whether or not to continue approving the facilities and whether or not additional stipulations for requiring space for spouses or families should be considered.  "Right now we are doing nothing to promote bringing people to town," Commissioner Wayne Aberle said.  See Entire Story.

Inforum 

For North Dakota's oil- and gas-producing counties, Thursday was like waking up on Christmas Day and finding out how generous Santa was this year. The state Board of University and School Lands approved $3.9 million in grants to 253 oil-impacted townships and fire/ambulance departments.  The townships will receive $2.7 million, while fire/ambulance will receive $1.2 million.  Approved funding includes $40,000 for Killdeer Area Ambulance, $20,000 for the West Dunn Rural Fire District, $20,000 for Bel­field's fire department and $20,000 for the Dickinson Rural Fire District.   See Entire Story.

Minot Daily News

Minot Daily News/Bruce Anderson picture of flooded Oak Park Theater.

The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services held an informational meeting with local officials Thursday morning to begin laying the groundwork for rebuilding the entire community once the floodwaters have receded.  Ray Morrell, NDDES' hazard mitigation officer who is also the state's individual assistance officer, gathered officials from the cities of Burlington and Minot and Ward County commissioners to start outlining some of the processes and qualifications for federal aid in home acquisition or relocation.  Morrell told the group that it was time to begin planning what the Souris Valley will look like once the river recedes.  "It is you who will be purchasing the property, maintaining the property and owning the property," Morrell said. "The citizens are going to have questions, and local officials will have to identify answers for you - and that may take them a fair amount of time."  See Entire Story.

News Release

Record rain and a spring snowmelt over the past weeks brought heavy flooding to Bismarck and Minot, North Dakota. It also brought out many good people, including some Halliburton employees, to help local flood victims in their time of need.  As water from the Missouri and Mouse rivers rose, operations were set up across neighboring cities to enable volunteers to fill the hundreds of thousands of sandbags needed to protect the threatened cities. Among the volunteers to help were Halliburton crews, who assisted in filling thousands of sandbags and distributing them to residents.  The first crew of volunteers went out on June 1. Just four days later, when the city of Williston sent out an urgent call for volunteers to fill and distribute more bags, another Halliburton crew repeated the efforts and stepped up to help the residents of Bismarck. Halliburton employees also served hundreds of hot dogs and hamburgers to volunteers and residents displaced by the flood.  Most recently, on June 30, Halliburton volunteers fired up their cooker again, this time at the MSU Dome in Minot, to serve meals for 300 people who have lost their homes in the flood.

News Release

Occidental Petroleum Corporation says it will make two donations totaling $25,000 to aid victims of flooding in North Dakota and support response efforts throughout the state.  Oxy will contribute $15,000 to the American Red Cross West Dakota Chapter, which is providing food, shelter and other resources to those affected by the flooding. In addition, Oxy will donate $10,000 to the North Dakota 2011 Flood Relief Fund, set up at the request of Gov. Jack Dalrymple, to help cover the costs of the North Dakota National Guard and others for response activities, including securing evacuated areas and building berms and secondary levees to protect homes and infrastructure.  See Entire Story.

Williston Economic Development

by Barb Peterson

From left:  Tanya Vachal, Lorraine Berstrom and Carol Vachal.

From left:  Anne Wickersham and Monika Weigand.  IESS ribfest team members not pictured:  Rachel Johansen, Pete Jeffrey and Ben Jefferson.

News Release

The annual Mercy Auxiliary Garden Tour will be held on Sunday, July 17 from 1 to 5 p.m. The tour will be held in conjunction with the Centennial Flower Show sponsored by the James Memorial Art Center. The Garden Tour will begin with refreshments served at the James Memorial Art Center in Williston. There you will also receive a copy of this year's map indicating the location of five garden tours. Garden Tour Admission Tickets are only $10 and may be purchased at the Mercy Medical Center Gift Shop, from Auxiliary members, or at the door on July 17th.   See Entire Story.

07/09          Welcome to Williston

The fun begins at 4 p.m.; feed by Target Logistics at 5:30 p.m.; live music to follow.  The event will be held at Harmon Park.  Sponsored by Thrivent Financial Services for Lutherans.

07/12          22^nd Annual Dakota Classic Tour

Racing begins at 7 p.m. at the Williston Basin Speedway.  Sponsored by Northern Plains Radio Network and Williston Area Merchants.

07/16          Dedication of Sitting Bull Statue          

Williston State College and Fort Buford will unveil a 6 foot bronze statue created by Michael Westergard at 1 p.m. at Williston State College.  Sitting Bull's great grandson will speak and sign books.