$150 Million Gas Plant Receives Permit 
Oasis Petroleum is seeking to expand their Wild Basin Gas Plant about six miles northeast of Watford City. Its expansion project is expected to employ--at its peak--up to 300 individuals with occupations ranging from laborers, skilled trades, technicians, engineering and environmental professionals. The $150,000,000 project, which received Public Service Commission approval in late July, would add an additional 265 million standard cubic feet per day of gas processing capacity to the existing plant and expand capacity of their crude handling facility. 

Read more in this article from the Oil & Gas Journal or the North Dakota Public Service Commission application materials.
Maah Daah Hey Trail Attracts Adventure Seekers

Over five hundred bikers came to our badlands from throughout the United States and Canada for the Maah Daah Hey 100 mountain bike race organized by Legendary Adventures New Discoveries.

In its sixth season, the races range from 13 miles to 106 miles long. The Maah Daah Hey 150 mile bike race will take place in September. The trail is available to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders.

Recent Maah Daah Hey news coverage:

Leadership Course Begins in October

The Growing Leaders Short Course is, once again, coming to our community. Beginning October 10, it consists of five half-day sessions of leadership development curriculum as well as opportunities to learn more about the community. Tuition is $250/participant and class size is limited. Registration is due September 20.

More information and registration is available via the information and registration form or contacting McKenzie County Extension at 701-444-3451 or [email protected] 

Economy at a Glance Updated

Click here for the August version of the Economy at a glance. Some highlights:

  • McKenzie County's Labor Force for June 2017 came in at 8,540. That is the highest it has been since October 2015.
  • 2017Q2 break even points for oil production were released, and McKenzie County remains the lowest at $22/barrel.
  • North Dakota's Labor Force for June was preliminarily reported as 425,407--which is an all-time high for the state.
Watford Market in Full Swing

Thursday evenings have been filled with live music, Lions Club hamburgers and hotdogs, vendors, demonstrations,  and 250-300 friends and neighbors catching up with one another.


Watford Market will continue weekly through September 7, and then vegetable sales will continue on Thursdays (but no other activities) just outside the Heritage Park gate as long as there are vendors wanting to sell and customers wanting to buy. 
Ryan Auto Sets up Shop
Ryan Auto Sales is expanding their reach into McKenzie County by opening a dealership at 212 6th Ave SE, Watford City.

Read news clip in this McKenzie County Farmer newspaper article.
Experiencing the Missouri River with a Paddle
Ellen Falterman, from Austin TX, is attempting a 2,300 river mile trip from the headwaters of the Missouri River in Montana to where it meets the Mississippi River in St Louis. In July she made it to Tobacco Gardens Resort where she took a few days to rest. Falterman is pictured on the right, along with Dr. Dirk Rohrbach--a German physician, National Geographic writer, and public radio host who happened to be at Tobacco Gardens at the same time. Peg Hellandsaas--owner and operator of Tobacco Gardens Resort & Marina--is pictured in the middle.
Electronic Filing for Employers

Effective January 2018, all employers regardless of the number of their employees will be required to submit unemployment information electronically using their UI Easy website. For any questions call Job Service North Dakota at 701-328-2814.
Ribfest Draws Thousands to Main Street

Nearly perfect weather greeted the thousands of folks who came out to The Best of the West Ribfest last Friday in Watford City. Food, music, and festivities filled the day and culminated with the three-time Grammy-nominated band Little Texas. 

Don't forget The Bakken Conference & Expo will be coming to Watford City July 16-18, 2018!

Check out the upcoming events listed on our community calendar, like the Old Settlers Day in Alexander over Labor Day weekend!

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