Good point Steve, the community doesn't need any more of the "can't do" mentality, and could use some progressive, inspirational, motivated individuals to stick their neck out.
Here is what I see as being a successful endeavor in Williston, and if I lived there it is something I would give serious thought of doing myself.
A nice, fine dining eating establishment that is family owned and operated would definitely have success. When I say family owned and operated I mean it. It's difficult to find help in town I'm told. I'd own and work in the place and I would employ my family and would recruit retirees to staff the place. Retirees don't want to work the drills, McD's, or Wally.
I'd try the best I could to use only locally produced ingredients... seriously, why would I buy grain from Nebraska and beef from Chicago when better can be found within the state? I'd definetely make sure everyone knew I was using local products. In the summer there could be special dishes that promote local gardens. "Tuesday's salad has tomatoes from Lonewolf's garden, Lettuce from SKM's garden, and radishes from Jane Doe's garden on 6th St. W. The wine pairing is Don V's personal craft from him grapes from last year."
A liquor licence would be a must.
Ideal location would be somewhere down by the new armory... maybe purchase one of the old warehouses down there (if any are unoccupied) and renovate it.
I really think something like this would work, and its something the community could rally around and be proud of.
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"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." -Dr. Johnson
What I don't understand is there is many people moving to this area to work in the oilfield, some with families. I guess it must be that their spouses, boyfriends are making the bucks and they don't need to go find a job and support the community. I'm not saying its a bad thing that they stay home while the other works, but jeez, unless you have kids at home, wouldn't you go a bit crazy? I know I would or my wife would. We both have good jobs and support the community. I asked her if I went into the oilfield to work if she would quit her job. She told me she would go nuts.
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My father worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay. It was his true medium, a master.
Gundo, I have yet to meet a young guy who would'nt put his health or the cold winters on the line for that kind of money. Its easy for us to walk away knowing whats in store but, sense when have the young listened to those that have been there done that? I'm not anti building here in town, I do have a problem with outside companies coming in and under bidding our local contractors and then it ends up being more than the quote. I have more faith in our local contractors than I do of ouside help. The majority of the houses built in this town were built by locals, and they are some of the most beautiful homes you will ever see. I love driving by my old neighborhood and I know which house has its brick layed by either Mony Huntly or Jamie TeSoro. Its easy to judge from afar. I find it quite comical that you and others, who have moved away, tell us what NEEDS to be done. I don't see any of you moving home to help. I am very greatful for Steve and that whole posse for doing what they are doing. Stop telling us what NEEDS to be done! GET YOUR hiney back here and help us, if you feel so strongly about the issues. We're all going on our 40's now...its time for us to take more responsibilty. We are WELLYESWECAN.
Dont give up the good fight. Solve the main underlying issue and rest could essentially fall into place. Being there is enough interest from such companies should they decide to do business in Williston.
Thanks Bruce. Like I said, it was merely a thought, but at least it was something. I get the feeling sometimes though that we are defeated already. I don't run into to many people that believe these things CAN be done.
I'm hoping to bring a "CAN DO" attitude back to people. There's too much upside around here to stand by and watch it all pass before us.
You might say, I'm trying to put the "will" back in Williston. I plan on being around here for many years to come and we have a window of opportunity to build a foundation that our kids can continue to build on once our time has come and gone.
Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) once said..."We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams."
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
The hugest obstacle of this whole thread and any other thread as far as I can tell, is housing. Be it moving in mobile homes, modular homes on foundations, or apartments.
Shy of someone hangin thier proverbial rear on the line to be able to provide enough affordable housing.
The other obstacle is getting things built, especially when you are trying to compete against the money that alot of the oilfield industry related businesses are able to throw at trying to get things done yesterday.
I can honestly say I do not envy you in your dreams, but I do encourage and hope you are able to come up with a solution/s.
In my conversations with my buddy in the army in alaska, it also sounds like walmart is also feeling this crunch from not enough employees.
SKM, I understand where you are coming from. But not everybody thinks that 20+ bucks an hour is enough to either have to be in the elements or in some cases, put themselves in what they may feel is harms way.
Steve, building an industry and training workers is a fantastic idea. Especially if you were able to tie it in with some sort of "Greener" datacenter planning/building.
BTW, bravo williams county residents on passing the mosquito support. hopefully things can be tamed.
It's going to be hard to keep these young men out of the oil field. 21.00$ starting out versus 8.00$ starting out. Tough to turn down that 21 bucks. And I'm sure a lot of them graduating from high school figure make money now go to college later. Too bad for some the college opportunity never does return.
And its true that some of the fast food restaurants have been closing early do to lack of help. It's quite intersting if you sit back and just watch these fast food restaurants try and recruit help. My son works for a fast food restaurant and the manager from the restaurant across the street offered him 2.00 more an hour if he'd come to work for them. Needless to say, this put my son in a very good bargaining position. What else was his manager to do, pay up or lose him. Who knew that fast food could get so cut throat?
I can understand going to other places to recruit people to come and live and work here, but geeze with the way rent is going up around here, these small businesses and restaurants are going to have to start paying more. If you ask me its all a catch 22. I pray it all works out in the end.
It isn't the cities job to bring in new secondary sector business. They work on bringing in primary sector business. Recycled money businesses (secondary sector) like restaurants primarily keep money local. Whereas, agriculture, oil, tourism (primary sector), and things like that bring new money into the area from outside the city, region, state, etc. That is what the city focuses on.
It is up to the citizens to bring in retail, restaurants, and things like that. However, Shawn Wenko has the dubious task of trying to fill jobs in Williston, so if a new business were to start up, he is the one visiting other states trying to recruit people to come and live in Williston and fill these positions.
Excellent question, thanks for bringing that up.
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
Forgive me, I was under the impression you were saying businesses were folding for this reason.
Webe closed for other reasons, not a staffing issue. I was aware that some businesses were closing early each day.
Any thoughts on how this could be resolved? Besides shutting down the oil industry, of course.
When you look at cities that have these places we're wanting, don't you tend to see college age adults working there? I realize enrollment is difficult as well at WSC due to the oil, but isn't there a way to help that too? Seems to me they could work hand in hand.
Here's another example, just an example, of another way Williston could improve. I've had many discussions with City Commissioner Brent Bogar about how this area is perfect for data warehousing. Least amount of natural disasters, most energy resources, etc... So what if Williston decides it wants to make a push towards becoming a tech center? Perhaps now the city works hand in hand with the college to provide specific coursework to prepare students to go to work for these data centers.
Hopefully a movenment such as this would increase the number of students attending college here which would then hopefully provide an increased number of people to work at the new stores.
Hypothetical? Of course it is. But it's a thought, and nothing ever gets accomplished without first being a thought. AND, nothing ever gets accomplished with the "This is why it CAN'T be done attitude".
So, back to my original post...any thoughts on how we CAN accomplish this?
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
Hardees and McDonalds have also had a hard time keeping their doors open, I know there has been quite a few times McDonalds has closed early or closed the lobby part early. Just to give you a few more examples. It is hard to find help, it would be wonderful if more businesses could come to town but as stated who is going to work there. When I was talking to the owners of Mi Mexico in Minot, who wanted to come here, I mentioned that to them. They said their family works for them. I think that would be an excellent business to come to town, but apparently from comments on the other post where I mentioned this, others do not feel the same.
By pure word of mouth of course I've heard that WeBe Pizza shut down and that Burger Queen, Dakota Farms, and Trapper's Kettle are only open a limited amount of help staff.
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"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." -Dr. Johnson
I'm not familiar with a business in Williston that is shutting it's doors due to lack of help. Enlighten me. Which businesses are those?
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
My thoughts after spending a few days in Williston is why would any of these franchises come to Williston knowing they will not be able to find employees to staff their stores and restaurants?
The current businesses can't even find employees and are shutting their doors.
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"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." -Dr. Johnson
Are any of you interested in putting an information packet together that can be submitted by a group of local individuals wanting to see new business come into town? For example, I know quite a number of individuals that would like to see businesses like Lowe's and Perkins...for example. Or perhaps a large sports store similar to the Scheels franchise (quite certain Scheels wouldn't come to Williston considering they have one in Minot).
The only way we'll get these kinds of franchise is to do it as interested citizens.
Any thoughts?
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
ahh cause I can't even keep a house plant alive! 
