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MARCH 29, 2018
WILLISTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
NEWS & UPDATES

Dear Williston Wire Readers,
 
Williston Economic Development is gearing up for Williston Economic Development Week May 7-12. The celebration will include an open house at the Center for Development, update on the Sloulin Field Redevelopment Project, Retail Summit, State of the City Address and WED/SBDC Awards Banquet. Click here to register!

 Shawn, Ann, Barb and Brenda 

Seven New STAR Fund Grants approved
The STAR Fund grants will help fund seven projects totaling $1.8 million in private investment in Williston. Pictured above is the former Grand Slam store that has been purchased by Grace & Glam. Williston Economic Development 
Williston Economic Development - The City of Williston has awarded up to $118,500 in STAR Fund grants to seven projects in Williston. The Williston City Commission and City Administrator approved the allocations on Tuesday, March 27. The approved grants will help fund projects with an estimated private investment of $1.8 million dollars. The projects range from the relocation of a women's fashion boutique to the opening of an upscale men's barber shop. "There has been a considerable uptick in business development in 2018. The diversity of the projects listed below are an example of the diverse nature of entrepreneurial activity we are experiencing on a daily basis," said Shawn Wenko, Williston Economic Development executive director. Read More 
Williston's Taxable Sales and Purchases climb
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"It should be an eye opener for folks back east who believe that there is nothing going on in western North Dakota," said Williston Mayor Howard Klug said in response to new taxable sales and purchases report.
KEYZ Radio - Williston and Dickinson lead the way in the increase of taxable sales and purchases last year. Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger says North Dakota's taxable sales and purchases increased 3 percent in 2017 to $17.9 billion, led by rebounding oil activity in the western part of the state. Williston Mayor Howard Klug says this comes as no surprise to him. "It should be an eye opening for folks back east who believe that there is nothing going on in western North Dakota," he says. Only five of the 15 major industry sectors had growth from 2016 to 2017. Mining and oil extraction had the biggest increase, at more than 52 percent. Read More     Tax Commissioner News Release
School Districts 1 and 8 discuss Future
Challenges, Possibilities
Members of the Williston Public School Board are pictured at the joint meeting of the District 1 and 8 School Boards. Williston Economic Development
Williston Herald - The meeting Monday night between Williston Public School District No. 1 and Williams County Public School District No. 8 settled at least one thing - the districts plan to meet again. What they'll discuss at future meetings is still up in the air, but both school boards agreed to choose two board members to meet to discuss collaborations. On other, more substantive issues, though, the boards still seemed far apart. Read More
Commissioners Cymbaluk, Brostuen
seek Re-election

Chris Brostuen is running for his second commission term.

Tate Cymbaluk is running for his third commission term.

 

News Release - Tate Cymbaluk announces he will seek re-election  to the Williston City Commission.  Cymbaluk is in his second term as the Police, Fire and Ambulance Commissioner for Williston.  "Our city is safer than it was four years ago, thanks to the addition of the new strategically planned fire stations which have reduced response times for firefighters and ambulances," he said. Read More  Williston Herald: Two Incumbent Commissioners seek Re-election

Williston continues to recruit More Flights
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Trillion Aviation presented an update on it airline study to Williston City Commissioners at the March 13 meeting.
Williston Herald - The city's airport has good profit margins and good load factors, according to Williston's consultant from Trillion Aviation Mike Bown.  That is good from the standpoint that existing air service isn't likely to leave or shrink, despite shrinkage in the airline industry as a whole. But it also means there's nothing - at least on the usual surface of things - to suggest to airlines that it would be profitable to substantially increase flights into and out of Williston. Read More
McCody Concrete's Facility showcases
Custom Cement Ideas
Reporter Brooke Williams takes viewers on a tour of McCody Concrete in Williston. Pictured is the front lobby. Courtesy McCody Concrete
MyNDNow.com - If you thought concrete was drab or boring, Bob Horab would like to give you a tour. "A lot of people come through. They look at the exterior of the building and once they come into the interior, they cannot believe how warm you can make concrete feel with color and some of the design aspects of it," says Horab. The property showcases concrete, but features other unique design elements like computerized lighting and floors featuring creative artwork. Read More
1 Million Cups to feature ND Flagpole Guy, Elements of Design April 4
Williston Economic Development - 1 Million Cups Williston will be held April 4 at 8:30 a.m. in the Teton Lounge on the Williston State College campus. The one-hour meeting will feature presentations from Elements of Design and ND Flagpole Guy. Learn how to support these businesses and enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee from Smiling Moose Deli!
Artwork, Photography sought for Traffic Signal Boxes
Pictured is an example of a vinyl wrap that is covering a traffic signal cabinet.
News Release - You are invited to submit artwork for a city of Williston beautification project! The winning designs will be converted into vibrant and graffiti-resistant vinyl wraps for traffic signal cabinets in Williston. Original artwork and photography will be accepted April 1-30. Read More
ND prepares for Infrastructure Build-out 
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Industry leaders say construction in the Bakken is expected to increase in 2018 in response to the infrastructure needs and stronger oil prices.
Bismarck Tribune - As North Dakota oil production is poised to hit a record this year, the industry has major infrastructure challenges ahead.  Reducing natural gas flaring is the most pressing obstacle as increasing volumes of natural gas production strain existing pipelines and natural gas processing capacity.  Read More
Thousands of Job Openings hamper ND's Growth
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Job Service North Dakota listed 13,873 job openings statewide in February.
Bismarck Tribune - If North Dakota could fill its available job openings, it'd be like adding another city the size of Jamestown. That's the comparison Gov. Doug Burgum made during the recent Main Street ND Summit to emphasize the unrealized potential as thousands of jobs wait to be filled. "This is actually a gating factor, which is slowing down our growth and our potential as a state," Burgum said during the summit.  Read More
Upcoming Williston Events
03/30 ------ City of Williston Offices Closed

04/04 ------ 1 Million Cups Williston
The public is invited to the free meeting at Williston State College from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

04/10 ------ Williston City Commission
The commission meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. in the Commission Room at City Hall at 22 East Broadway.

04/13-14 ------ Williston Home & Garden Show
The Williston Area Builders Association will host its annual event at the Raymond Family Community Center.
 
04/13 ------ Williston Chamber Eggs & Issues
Williston Economic Development will sponsor the event which will feature a presentation from the Bank of North Dakota. The meeting will begin at 7:30 a.m. at TrainND.

04/25 ------ Williston Job Fair
More than 80 employers will be accepting resumes and interviewing applicants from 3-7 p.m. at the Raymond Family Community Center.

04/28 ------ Clean Up Williston Day
Volunteers are invited to pick up trash Saturday morning. Supplies will be available at Davidson Park. A free lunch for volunteers will begin at 11 a.m.

05/08 ------ Sloulin Redevelopment Project - Williston Meeting
The public is invited to learn about the Master Plan for the project. The meeting will feature keynote Gov. Doug Burgum, City of Williston leaders and representatives from the project's key partnerships. The free program will run from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Grand Williston Hotel and Conference Center.

05/09 ------ Retail Summit
Potential and current retailers are invited to the free summit from 7:30-10:30 a.m. at the Grand Williston Hotel and Conference Center. Click here to register.

05/09 ------ State of the City Address
Williston Mayor Howard Klug will deliver his State of the City Address at 12 p.m. at the Grand Williston Hotel and Conference Center. A light lunch will be served from 11-11:45 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. Click  here to register.

05/09 ------ WED/SBDC Awards Banquet
Williston Economic Development and the Small Business Development Center will celebrate the accomplishments of its 2018 award winners. The social hour will be begin at 5 p.m. followed by dinner and the awards ceremony. Click  here for reservations. 
 
07/10-12 ------ ND Water Resource Districts Association's Summer Meeting
The 2018 North Dakota Water Resource Districts Association's annual summer meeting will be held at the Grand Williston Hotel and Conference Center.
Upcoming Energy Events
05/22-24 ------ Williston Basin Petroleum Conference
The 26th annual event will be held in Bismarck, ND. Early bird general attendee registration is open until April 12, 2018. Conference Website
 
05/22-23 ------ Energy Exposition
The 2018 Energy Exposition will be celebrating 19 years as the Rocky Mountain's longest running energy trade exhibition. The event will take place at The Ranch Events Complex in Loveland, Colorado. Reserve booth space today.  Energy Exposition

The Summer 2018 event will be held at the Rough Rider Center in Watford City. 

09/24-26 ------ NDPC Annual Meeting
The meeting will be held at the Ramada in Fargo, ND.

10/03-04 ------ Bakken Oil Product & Service Show
The 8th annual trade show and seminars will be held at the Raymond Family Community Center. Bakken Oil Show website
City of Williston, ND | Economic Development | 701-577-8110 | Email | Website
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