Dear Readers -
A study about Williston's population growth continues to generate interest. Nancy M. Hodur, a research scientist at NDSU, helped conduct the study. She told Williston City Commissioners recently, "We've been fielding phone calls from investors, developers and all manner of folks that wanted to know all about these population projections. It's garnered just a tremendous amount of interest."
Barbara Peterson
Writer
Williston Wire
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| Fuddruckers Breaks Ground in Williston | |
Williston Economic Development
by Barb Peterson
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Construction is underway on two SRK Hospitality projects in northwest Williston; in the background is a 102-room hotel called The Brooks and in the foreground is the site for the future Fuddruckers restaurant. |
Three new restaurants are being planned in Williston. Construction is underway on Fuddruckers and the Williston Building Department has received building plans for Outlaws Bar & Grill and Famous Dave's. Outlaws will be located near First International Bank & Trust while Famous Dave's will be built adjacent to the Hampton Inn & Suites.
SRK Hospitality, a subsidiary of Serka Services LLC, is bringing Fuddruckers and a hotel called The Brooks to northwest Williston. Read More. | |
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| Menards to Build in Sand Creek Town Centre | |
Williston Herald
by Jerry Burnes
 More than three years after the original announcement, Menards is coming to Williston. The hardware giant officially signed its contract for the Sand Creek Town Centre, according to Terry Metzler, operations manager of Granite Peak North Dakota and Tom Rolfstad, executive director of Williston Economic Development. Metzler and Rolfstad said the store is going to be one of the largest locations in the country. Read More. KUMV-TV: Menard's Coming to Williston.
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| Home of Economy Expands in Williston | |
Williston Herald
by Kathleen J. Bryan
 Longtime business Home of Economy is taking on an expansion and renovation that will see the store grow by about 14,000 square feet. "It's going to be like a new store," said company CEO and President Wade Pearson. "The only thing that will be the same is the roof, which is about two years old." Pearson said the Williston store has increased its sales by four times since 2008, making it the company's top-selling location. Read More.
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| Acme to Open Williston Store Late August | |
PRNewswire
 Acme Tools, a major tool distributor and premier retailer of tools and equipment, has announced plans to build its fifth North Dakota store in Williston. The new store is scheduled to open in late summer of 2013. The store will feature 20,000 square feet of office, showroom and warehouse space located near the intersection of U.S. Highways 2 and 85 in Williston. Read More.
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| Public Shares Design Ideas for Downtown Williston | |
Williston Herald
by Kathleen J. Bryan
 As Williston city officials, residents, property and business owners came together recently for a three-day public design workshop, a plethora of ideas and possibilities were on the table for the future of Downtown Williston. The planning and design teams - the city's Planning Departing and RDG Planning & Design - tackled everything from parking and the "truck issue," to mobility for bicyclists, green spaces, the industrial area and the city's identity. Read More.
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| ND Ranks Among Nation's Best "Pro-Business" States | |
News Release
North Dakota was named one of America's most "pro-business states" in an annual report released today by the American Economic Development Institute and Pollina Corporate Real Estate, Inc. The 2013 Pollina Pro-Business study ranks North Dakota's overall business climate the third best in the nation.
"Our focus on job creation is supported by a dedicated and skilled workforce, a responsive state government and a fair and balanced tax structure," Gov. Jack Dalrymple said. Read More. | |
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| Williston's Population Expected to Keep Growing | |
Williston Herald by Kathleen J. Bryan
 The city's current population is estimated to be between 25,000 and 33,000 and likely to grow at a high rate, according to a study presented at the Williston City Commission meeting Tuesday night.
The study, sponsored by the city, was done by research assistant professor Nancy M. Hodur and research scientist Dean A. Bangsund, both of North Dakota State's Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics. The findings support what city officials, residents and business owners have known for some time - that the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau figure of 14,700 is a thing of the past. Read More. | |
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| Oil Boom Begins Next Cycle | |
Williston Herald
by Jerry Burnes
 Williston's typical boom-bust cycle appears to be headed to a boom-business model and the start of that new cycle has already started.
"This is unchartered territory," said Williston Mayor Ward Koeser. "There's a period of rapid growth of people and business, then at some point you reach this stage where it stabilizes. In my mind, it happened probably about last fall." Read More. | |
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| ND Oil Production Expected to Surpass Estimates | |
AP
Bismarck Tribune
An estimate in the governor's 2013-15 executive budget on statewide oil production is likely to be surpassed in the biennium's opening months, according to the state's top industry regulator.
Lynn Helms, director of the state Department of Mineral Resources, said this week that he expects North Dakota oil production to increase by about 20,000 barrels per day each month from June through August. Preliminary May numbers put production at a record of more than 810,000 barrels per day. Read More. July Director's Cut. | |
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| Biberdorf Retires, Dalrymple Appoints New Energy Impact Coodinator | |
AP
Bismarck Tribune
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Rory Nelson has been named ND's new energy impact coordinator. |
A retired Hess Corp. manager has been tapped by Gov. Jack Dalrymple to serve as western North Dakota's energy impact coordinator.
The governor says Rory Nelson, of Williston, will work in the state's oil and gas region to help meet the challenges that come with rapid development.
Nelson replaces Wayne Biberdorf who is retiring. Read More. | |
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| Land Board Commits Nearly $1.4 Million to Support Law Enforcement Agencies in Oil Patch | |
News Release
The Board of University and School Lands (Land Board) today committed nearly $1.4 million in state grants to support local law enforcement agencies in North Dakota's oil-production region.
The grants approved by the Land Board today will support sheriffs' offices in Divide, Dunn, McKenzie, Stark and Ward counties as well as police departments in Arnegard, Belfield and New Town. Read More. | |
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| Dalrymple Appoints Two New Judges in ND | |
AP
Bismarck Tribune
Gov. Jack Dalrymple has filled two new judgeships in northwestern North Dakota.
Watford City lawyer Robin Schmidt will serve in Watford City. Lawyer Paul Jacobson, who lives in Bismarck and Williston, will serve in Williston.
The Legislature this year approved the new judgeships to help with an increasing caseload in the booming western North Dakota oil patch. The two new judgeships boost the total in the Northwest Judicial District to nine - one in Watford City, three in Williston and five in Minot. Read More. | |
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| Female Cop Learns the Ropes in Watford City | |
McKenzie County Farmer
by Olivia Sundeen
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Minnesota native Shannon Monnens is enjoying her work as a police sargeant in Watford City. |
Watford City Police Sgt. Shannon Monnens, originally from Minnesota, found her way to North Dakota about two years ago. "I have not regretted a second of it," stated Monnens of her move. "This is the best thing I could've done - experience and career-wise." During her first month as a police officer in Watford, Monnens realized she was in for a rude awakening. "I got my nose busted in the first month of being on duty," stated Monnens. "I realized that holy crap, this town means business." Monnens credits this incident for basically saving her life, because from then, she knew how to prepare herself. Read More. | |
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| ND Sets Record June Airline Boardings | |
News Release
 North Dakota airports recorded their highest June boardings ever. Dickinson initiated jet service to Denver and Minneapolis in June, and set an all-time monthly boarding record. Noteworthy was Williston, with three times as many passengers compared to June of last year. The eastern airports also posted big numbers with Grand Forks having an increase of 1546 passengers and Fargo increasing by 3439 from last June. Read More. June Airline Boardings Graph.
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| Williston Public School District Prepares for 2013-14 | |
Build a Better Tomorrow Campaign
Williston Public School District No. 1 experienced a lot of students coming and going last year, as the overall enrollment stayed at 2,800 year round. At the end of August, school will start for the 2013-2014 year, with officials estimating they will add another 200 students to last year's number. "We have more kindergarten students registered now compared to the same time any other year," said Viola LaFontaine, Superintendent. Read More. | |
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| Corcoran Gauges Need for Private School Busing in Williston | |
Williston Herald
by Sara Spaulding
 T.J. Corcoran is considering starting a private busing service for Williston schools. He opened the Corcoran School in Williston last fall, which is an early education center, with a state-approved kindergarten program starting this fall. Corcoran runs after-school programs at his center and it is difficult for children to take part without public school busing available. Corcoran came up with an idea to gauge the need for a private busing service. Read More.
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| Editorial: Four-Lane US Highway 85 Sooner Rather than Later | |
Dickinson Press
Editorial Board
Six years ago, the idea of making U.S. Highway 85 into a four-lane road from the Canadian border to Spearfish, S.D., was first pitched as the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway by the Port-to-Plains Alliance.
Back then, the western North Dakota oil boom was but a twinkle in the eyes of speculators and the impression was that this side of the state was withering away and we needed a shot in the arm like a four-lane highway in the west to help bolster the economy. Read More. | |
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| Intern Looking for Ways to Reduce Truck Traffic in Oil Patch | |
Oil Patch Dispatch
by Amy Dalrymple
 | | Maxwell Johnson, pictured recently in Tioga, works as an intern for Hess Corp. Amy Dalrymple/Forum News Service |
As an intern, Maxwell Johnson is already working to make the oil boom a little easier on North Dakota residents. The University of North Dakota student is interning for Hess Corp. in Tioga this summer, working on a special project that would reduce truck traffic that hauls water to producing oil wells. Johnson said the strategy he's developing should significantly cut the company's cost of hauling production maintenance water, in addition to reducing the wear and tear on roads and cutting down on traffic. "Not all of the savings are in economics," said the Watford City native. Read More.
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| Louisiana Men Bring Mobile Hotel to Oil Patch | |
Oil Patch Dispatch
by Amy Dalrymple
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Dex Comardelle is one of the owners and operators of Go-Motel. Amy Dalrymple/Forum News Service |
Louisiana native Dex Comardelle brings Southern hospitality to North Dakota workforce housing. The 23-year-old was working toward a degree in hospitality management at the University of Louisiana when he started to hear about North Dakota's oil boom. Comardelle and his father, Ricky, who has provided living quarters for offshore drilling operations in the Gulf of Mexico for 25 years, decided to team up. They formed a company called Go-Motel and opened a workforce housing lodge north of Williston as their first step. Read More. | |
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| Startup Trucking Company Thrives in Watford City | |
Dickinson Press
by Bryan Horwath
 | | LT Enterprises owner and president Luke Taylor stands outside one of his company's trucks Thursday in Watford City. |
Luke Taylor has joined the ranks of many other entrepreneurs who built a facility that their business quickly outgrew in Western North Dakot. There may be no such thing as "too big" for the trucking company, LT Enterprises, that the 28-year-old built from the ground up. "We just built our shop a little more than a year ago and it's already too small," Taylor said. "We thought it would be too big when we were planning it." Read More.
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| Grant Available for New Tourist Attraction | |
News Release
North Dakota Tourism is offering a grant to one or more new tourism attractions that can bring more visitors to North Dakota. This program is made possible by a one-time appropriation of $750,000 in funds during the 2013 North Dakota legislative session. The 2014 Tourism Infrastructure Grant Program's purpose is to fund new tourism operations capable of attracting visitors from outside of North Dakota for at least one overnight stay. Read More. | |
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| Thrivent to Host Summer Barbecue July 27 | |
Williston Herald
by Sara Spaulding
 Thrivent Financial is celebrating the growth of Williston with an outdoor concert and summer barbecue in Harmon Park on July 27.
Country singer Lucas Hoge, who grew up in a small town in Nebraska and has made his way to Nashville, will be performing. He has played overseas for the military and received a "Song of the Year 2013" Spirit Award nomination for "Medal of Honor," a song inspired from his military tour in Kosovo, Kuwait and Iraq. Read More. | |
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Upcoming Energy Events |
07/25 Opportunities in ND & the Bakken Chicago Summit
Learn about future forecasts & predictions and where development will occur and why. Chicago, IL.
07/31-08/02 TRAC Regional Energy Convergence & Trade Show
A unique and highly interactive opportunity for business and community to develop invaluable partnerships with key players in the Energy industry. Billings, MT.
08/20-22 Bakken Oil Workers and Oil Service Show
Bonding for success. North Dakota State Fair Center, Minot, ND.
09/09-11 Bakken Infrastructure Finance & Development
Two spectacular events at the Bismarck Civic Center in Bismarck, ND.
09/11-12 Bakken Oil Product & Oil Service Expo
With more than 450 oil and gas related companies operating in the Williston area, the Bakken oil show is the place to connect, network and conduct business. Williston, ND.
09/10-12 Oilfield Management
Join experts across the spectrum to dig into issues and brainstorm solutions that will cut costs while boosting ROI. Houston Marriott at the Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX.
09/16-18 North Dakota Petroleum Council Annual Meeting
Anyone with an interest in the oil and gas business in the Williston Basin should attend. Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND.
09/12-13 2nd Black Gold Ohio
Stake your claim in the skyrocketing $22 billion Utica Shale Boom. The Greater Columbus Conventions Center, Columbus, OH.
09/25-26 Bakken Housing & Construction Summit
Exporing a billion dollar construction market. Bismarck Civic Center, Bismarck, ND. | |
| Upcoming Williston Events | |
07/27 Downtown Farmers Market
Stock up on fresh vegetables & fruits as the growing season provides; baked goods, salsa, jams, jellies & crafts! The farmers market begins at 10 a.m. in Downtown Williston in the American State Bank and Trust's parking lot located at 1st Ave. W. & W. Broadway.
07/28 Sizzlin' Summer Party
The Williston area ELCA churches invite you to worship at 11 a.m. followed by food, swimming, games, magic, entertainment, crafts and more from 12-3 p.m. at Harmon Park.
07/30 Ribbon Cutting for Great Plains Food Bank
The event will be held from 10-11 a.m. at the James Memorial Center.
08/02 Upper Missouri Relay for Life 2013
Relay for Life is a 12 hour event that involves teams of 10-12 people who take turns walking, running, or strolling around the track at Cutting Field. Fun activities and entertainment are planned for the entire family. Registration begins at 5 p.m. followed by the Opening Ceremony at 6:15 p.m.
08/03 Clean up Williston
8 a.m.-12 p.m. Volunteers are asked to meet at Davidson Park. Wear your "I Will, Will You? Keep Williston Clean" t-shirts. The clean up will help spruce up the City prior to events being held in August such as the Chokecherry Festival and Babe Ruth World Series.
08/03 Downtown Farmers Market
Stock up on fresh vegetables & fruits as the growing season provides; baked goods, salsa, jams, jellies & crafts! The farmers market begins at 10 a.m. in Downtown Williston in the American State Bank and Trust's parking lot located at 1st Ave. W. & W. Broadway.
09/21-22 Parade of Homes
The Williston Area Homebuilders Association will present Williston's first Parade of Homes. | |
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