WILLISTON STATE COLLEGE – Marketplace for Kids, an event where students of all ages come to get a head-start on building skills for the future, will be held on the Williston State College campus on Friday April 21, 2023. The event is organized by the statewide Marketplace for Kids organization, and a local Marketplace Advisory team. Debbie Richter, co-chair of Marketplace for Kids, said she is always appreciative of WSC’s help. “We could not be in our 23rd year of Marketplace for Kids without the generous help of Williston State College!” she said.Marketplace for Kids usually has about 950 kids and 100 volunteers in attendance. It offers a wide array of classes and programs that that give kids the tools to develop new ideas, while pursuing their personal and professional development skills.

News Release - The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced today that two companies were approved for $658,796.41 in loan and venture funds through the North Dakota Development Fund, Inc. (NDDF) during the first quarter of 2023. “North Dakota’s favorable business climate is playing a key role in the thriving businesses throughout the state,” Commerce Director of Economic Development & Finance Rich Garman said. “This climate not only promotes start-ups and expansions but also offers resources and professional support for businesses at every stage of growth while expanding the state's economy.” 

News Release - The City of Williston’s annual spring Clean Williston event is scheduled for Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, Clean Williston will be held on Saturday, May 6, and this change will be announced on City of Williston social media and www.cityofwilliston.com. This year’s spring event is once more changing locations, moving from Davidson Park to the Williston Public Works facility. The annual event invites the public to volunteer to help beautify the City by signing up for a zone within Williston to clean. 

News Release - The North Dakota Petroleum Council (NDPC) is responding to the workforce shortage for its oil and natural gas company members by creating a new program called Bakken GROW (Global Recruitment of Oilfield Workers) which will be an innovative way to bring new workers to the Bakken region through immigration. Ukrainian workers are being recruited to North Dakota with the new “Uniting for Ukraine” (U4U) streamlined immigration process providing Ukrainian citizens, who have fled since Russia’s invasion, an opportunity if they want to come to the United States and work immediately. U4U builds on the robust humanitarian assistance the U.S. government is providing trying to find hosts for Ukrainian citizens and others who have been displaced.

News Release - Band Day 2023 will showcase student and community marching bands and parade entries. For a featured guest band, the committee is looking forward to welcoming the 188th Army Band of the North Dakota Army National Guard and the Denver Broncos Stampede, drumline for the NFL Denver Broncos. This year, Williston Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Band Day Committee are excited to announce a partnership with Williston Area Visual Artists (WAVA) for this year’s Band Day fundraiser.

News Release - The North Dakota Department of Commerce is celebrating Internship Awareness Month this April.

“Internships provide valuable opportunities for both businesses and our future workforce,” Commerce Workforce Division Director Katie Ralston Howe said. “Attracting workers through programs such as Operation Intern are essential tools to help meet our state’s workforce needs.” 

News Release - The Dakota Digital Academy (DDA) and the Northern Information

Technology Consortium (NITC) are teaming up to deliver a two-day IT/Cyber bootcamp at six locations across the state, June 6-7, 2023. The bootcamp aims to help K-12 teachers with little digital technologies experience to be exposed to the fun and creative aspects of digital technologies. Attendees can return to their classroom with a technology toolbox to engage their students as well as earn graduate credit upon completion of the course.