September 11, 2020
WILLISTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
NEWS & UPDATES

Dear Williston Wire Readers

It's been six years since the City of Williston Center for Development opened at 113 4th Street East in Downtown Williston. In this week's Williston Wire we take a look at how the one-stop-shop for community development services has benefited entrepreneurs in Williston.
Shawn, Ann, Barb and Brenda

STAR Fund helps expand Williston Beautification/Cabinet Art Project
Williston Economic Development News Release - A Leadership Williston project designed to bring public art to the community is entering Phase 2. Phase 1 was completed in 2018 when 14 city-owned traffic signal cabinets were wrapped in vinyl. The wraps showcase the work of local artisans. Phase 2 will beautify 13 more boxes. Caitlin Pallai, the Leadership Williston student who spear-headed the initial Williston Beautification/Cabinet Art project, said she was encouraged by one of the original artists to expand the vinyl wraps to other areas of Williston. Read More
STAR Fund supports UAV Pilot Training at TrainND
KEYZ Radio - With the recent announcement that Amazon is breaking ground for a one-million-square-foot distribution center in Fargo, Williston’s mayor tells News Radio should the online retail giant decide to establish a foothold in the Bakken, we’ll be ready. “We have just authorized TrainND to start a program to train pilots of drones without direct sight. That program will becoming to Williston.” Read More
Williston Economic Development, Small Business Development Center celebrate 6-Year Partnership
Williston Economic Development News Release - On September 8, the Williston City Commission approved up to $45,000 in a Williston STAR Fund Community Growth/Build grant for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a component of Williston State College. This grant marks the sixth anniversary of the City of Williston’s partnership with the SBDC. In 2015, Williston Economic Development (WED), the SBDC and the Tri-County Regional Development Council (TCRDC) launched a unique plan to be housed under one roof at the City of Williston Center for Development. In addition, the Center for Development houses the Williston Convention and Visitor Bureau, Williston Development Services, Williston Building Safety and Williston Planning and Zoning. Read More
City of Williston announces New Internal COVID-19 Guidelines
City of Williston News Release - Governor Doug Burgum announced changes to COVID-19 risk levels in some of North Dakota’s counties. In response to the transition for Williams County from the low risk level (green) to the moderate risk level (yellow) under the ND Smart Restart color-coded health guidance, the City of Williston has introduced additional internal guidelines for workplace response and staff and visitor safety. “These guidelines are intended for general office environments and are in addition to existing departmental-specific measures,” explained City Administrator, David Tuan. Read More
Emergency Commission approves New BND COVID-19 Program for Business Debt Relief
Prairie Public News - The state’s Emergency Commission has approved a “Phase Two” for further coronavirus business aid administered by the Bank of North Dakota. The proposal sets aside $50 million for businesses that look for existing debt forgiveness. It would be a grant program. And it’s a change in a proposal the Bank submitted in August for $100 million in loan interest rate forgiveness. That was presented as a concept. That proposal was shelved, with legislators on the Commission not comfortable voting on a concept. Read More
ASB&T promotes Passley
ASB&T News Release - American State Bank & Trust Company President/CEO Dave Hanson recently announced that Internal Audit Officer Brandon Passley has been promoted to Assistant Vice President & Internal Audit Manager. He will oversee a staff of six and takes on the role of manager with the impending retirement of Vice President & Internal Audit Manager Barrie Crandall. Passley has been with ASB&T in the Internal Audit Department since 2015. Read More
Deadline for Leadership Williston Applications September 23
Williston Chamber News Release - Leadership Williston (LW) is an 8-month program centered on cultivating leaders each year through community engagement and exploration and professional development. The program is designed to expose existing and emerging leaders to the issues our region faces by using the community as a living classroom. Read More Application
EDND Fall Conference October 5-6, Main Street Summit October 6-7
Economic Development Association of North Dakota News Release - EDND will be hosting its Fall Conference in conjunction with the Main Street Initiative Summit Oct. 6-7. Registration for EDND’s pre-conference day Oct. 5 also includes a social the evening of Oct. 5 and an awards ceremony the evening of Oct. 6. Attendees will have to register separately for the Main Street Summit Oct. 6-7, which will include an economic development focused track planned by EDND. Register below for the EDND Preconference. Download the agenda
Upcoming Williston Events
09/11 ------ Ribbon Cutting at Crazy Cravings
The ribbon cutting will be held at 11 a.m. at 3120 2nd Ave. W.

09/12 ------ Main Street Market
The City of Williston will sponsor the Williston Downtowners' Main Street Market from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Hedderich’s Lot. The market will feature a variety of homemade and/or homegrown goods and food.

09/19 ------ Main Street Market
The Williston Downtowners' Main Street Market will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Hedderich’s Lot. The market will feature a variety of homemade and/or homegrown goods and food.

09/22 ------ Chamber Coffee and Conversation
The meeting will be held from 8-9 a.m. at Mountrail Williams Electric Cooperative.

09/22 ------ Williston City Commission
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at City Hall in the John Kautzman Chamber Room.

09/26 ------ Main Street Market
The Williston Downtowners' Main Street Market will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Hedderich’s Lot. The market will feature a variety of homemade and/or homegrown goods and food.

09/30 ------ ASB Innovation Academy Ribbon Cutting
The ribbon cutting will be held at 4:30 p.m. at 1204 4th Ave. W.

10/02 ------ Messer Dental Ribbon Cutting
The ribbon cutting will be held at 3:30 p.m. at their new space located at 1307 15th St. W. 

10/03 ------ Main Street Market
The Williston Downtowners' Main Street Market will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Hedderich’s Lot. The market will feature a variety of homemade and/or homegrown goods and food.

10/07 ------ 1 Million Cups
Get caffeinated at this free one hour meeting for entrepreneurs and small business owners. The meeting will be held from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at City Hall in the John Kautzman Chamber Room.

10/08 ------ Chamber Business After Hours at Outlaws
The networking event will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Outlaws.

10/13 ------ Williston City Commission
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at City Hall in the John Kautzman Chamber Room.

10/16 ------ Virtual Centennial Celebration
CHI St. Alexius Health Williston Foundation invites the public to a virtual celebration featuring entertainment and an auction from the safety and comfort of your own home! More information

11/19-20 ------ Women in Leadership Expo
The virtual experience will feature keynote speaker Kodee Furst, Co-Founder of Annie Capital, Program Manager at the Nice Center. Email caitlyn@willistonchamber.com for more information.
Upcoming Energy Events
09/15 ------ API Monthly Meeting
The meeting will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. at Four Points by Sheraton Williston. The program will feature Williston Economic Development. More information

10/06 ------ API Monthly Meeting
The meeting will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. at Four Points by Sheraton Williston. More information

10/08-09 ------ WDEA Annual Virtual Meeting
The Western Dakota Energy Association has opted to forego its traditional in-person annual meeting in favor of a virtual meeting to be conducted on the Zoom platform

10/28 ------ NDPC Annual Meeting
The time, location and format has yet to be determined.

11/20 ------ Williston Basin Petroleum Banquet
The annual awards ceremony will be held from 6-9:30 p.m. at The Well at Williston State College.

12/01 ------ API Monthly Meeting
The meeting will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. at Four Points by Sheraton Williston. More information
City of Williston, ND | Economic Development | 701-577-8110 | Email | Website