May 8, 2020
WILLISTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
NEWS & UPDATES

Dear Williston Wire Readers

Williston businesses are reopening and customers are starting
to venture out again. While the City of Williston remains operational,
it will tentatively stay closed to the public until June 1. News Release
We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Shawn, Ann, Barb and Brenda

De Fort Motocross opens in Williston; Race School May 22-24
Williston Economic Development - Two longtime motocross riders have teamed up to build a racetrack in their hometown. Joseph Edman and Eric Nelson are seasoned riders who designed De Fort Motocross located on the Nelson Farm 14 miles northeast of Williston. “The track is just over a mile long, has a 24-gate start with multiple rhythm sections of varying size and several larger features, specifically a step up and a 90’ tabletop,” explained Edman. Read More
Williston Auto to build New Dealership
KEYZ Radio - “We expect to break ground later this year on a new dealership facility, and it is going to be right across the street from Black Magic Harley Davidson,” said Pat Murphy recently. Murphy, together with co-owner David Billion, said the new dealership will be a world class facility. Read More
Opportunity Foundation Golf Tournament June 13 in Williston
News Release - Opportunity Foundation will host the Fifteenth Annual Darrell Schmidt Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 13 at Eagle Ridge Golf Course. Registration begins at 8 a.m. in the clubhouse and the tournament will start at 9 a.m. Read More
Lundeen resigns from Williston Downtowners
News Release -  Daved Lundeen has recently resigned his position as Executive Director of the Williston Downtowners Association. "We appreciate Daved’s efforts during his time with the WDA, and we wish him well in all his future endeavors," said the Williston Downtowners Association Board of Directors Board President, Tanner Parizek. For more information contact us at [email protected] . We are looking forward to another great summer and are contracting with Karissa Kjos from Gather LLC with event planning.
Williston Movie Theater to remain Closed until July
KUMV-TV -  People in the Williston area might not be able to enjoy going to the movies at the Grand Theater until July. Owner Ryan Agnes says he was looking into opening May 8, but no new movies will be coming out until July, so he decided to wait. He says they have been catching up on maintenance and painting during the COVID-19 closure. Read More
New Movie Theater in New Town on hold
KXNet.com - For the past few years, a new recreation center has been considered for the city of New Town, but like many other things, COVID-19 is delaying the project. The movie theater and bowling alley complex are estimated to cost $6.5 million. The city planned to use oil and gas money to foot some of the bill. But with the collapse of oil revenue, New Town’s mayor says they are looking at another year before they work can begin. Read More
State creates Bakken Restart Task Force
News Release - A Bakken Restart Task Force has been formed to help drive a “rapid recovery” of the oil and gas industry and supporting sectors affected by the COVID-19-driven collapse in oil demand. Created by the Department of Mineral Resources, the task force represents Mineral Resources, the Public Service Commission, Environmental Quality, Trust Lands, the Pipeline Authority, Office of Management and Budget, the Tax Department, Commerce, the Bank of North Dakota and input from various industry experts. Read More Minot Daily News: Bakken Restart update
Oilfield Layoffs could be Temporary
McKenzie County Farmer - As the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) surged its way into North Dakota in late February, it was merely just the beginning of an economic low point as oil prices cratered to a catastrophic low toward the end of April. The trivial concerns of lifestyle adjustments due to quarantining from COVID-19 soon took a backseat as oil field workers began losing their jobs, leaving those that have remained employed on the edge of their seats wondering who will be next. For the full story, subscribe to the McKenzie County Farmer
Bakken Businesses seek to stay Afloat
Bismarck Trib une - K yle Ostrand hasn’t slept much lately. The owner of 3 Forks Services in Williston employs 30 people who provide transportation, logistics and crane services in the Bakken. The company is one of hundreds in the region trying to stay afloat amid the oil price collapse during the coronavirus pandemic. “It’s awful,” he said. “There are a lot of nights I lay there until 2, 3, 4, 5 o’clock in the morning just trying to be creative about what we can do to try to sustain and keep people on." Read More
Upcoming Williston Events
05/12 ------ Williston City Commission
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the Williams County Administration Building.

05/25 ------ Memorial Day
City of Williston offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day.

05/26 ------ Williston City Commission
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m.

06/10-13 ------ Miss North Dakota Scholarship Pageant
Miss North Dakota 2020 will be crowned on Saturday night.

06/13 ------ Opportunity Golf Tournament
The tournament will be held at the Eagle Ridge Golf Course. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. followed by play at 9 a.m.

06/19 ------ Chamber of Commerce's Rockin' Ribfest
The competition will be held in Downtown Williston. Contact [email protected] for more information

06/20 ------ Chamber of Commerce's Lemonade Day
Youth will set up lemonade stands across Williston.

07/02 ------ Summer Nights on Main
The live entertainment, food and beverage vendors will be located in Downtown Williston from 5-9 p.m. Featuring 32 below on July 2. More Information

07/09 ------ Summer Nights on Main
The live entertainment, food and beverage vendors will be located in Downtown Williston from 5-9 p.m. Featuring Slamabama on July 9. More Information

07/11 ------ Main Street Market
The market will be held from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Hedderich's lot. The even will feature vendors selling their homemade and/or homegrown goods and food. More Information

07/16 ------ Summer Nights on Main
The live entertainment, food and beverage vendors will be located in Downtown Williston from 5-9 p.m. Featuring Juice Box on July 16. More Information

07/18 ------ Main Street Market
The market will be held from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Hedderich's lot. The even will feature vendors selling their homemade and/or homegrown goods and food. More Information

07/23 ------ Summer Nights on Main
The live entertainment, food and beverage vendors will be located in Downtown Williston from 5-9 p.m. Featuring Johnny Cochran on July 23. More Information

07/24 ------ CHI St. Alexius Health Williston Golf Tournament
The tournament will be played at the Links of North Dakota.
Upcoming Energy Events
 05/05 ------ API Monthly Meeting
The meeting will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Grand Williston Hotel. More information

08/20-21 ------ Williston Basin Chapter API Golf Tournament
The tournament will focus on raising funds for emergency services.

09/01-03 ------ Williston Basin Petroleum Conference
The conference will feature speakers and a trade show in Bismarck. Click  here  for more information.

09/15 ------ API Monthly meeting
The meeting will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Grand Williston Hotel. More information

09/09-11 ------ DUG Eagle Ford
The conference and exhibition will be held in San Antonio, Texas. Registration
City of Williston, ND | Economic Development | 701-577-8110 |  Email  |  Website