I have a ton of stuff to post right now, so more on this later, but this is huge.
Link here.
Data points:
- Casper, Wyoming,-based Granite Peak Development has a commercial development project
- 200-acre Sand Creek Town Center, north along 35th Avenut off US Highway 2
- Menard's will be first occupant of this development project
- Menard's: 200,000 square foot facility on a 16.5 acre parcel
- Construction to begin this summer; open in 2012
- 130 full-time and part-time jobs
Rumor is it's Best Buy. I don't know where they'll find the workforce for it. I've turned most of my williston relatives on to Amazon Prime.
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten that (about the workforce). My understanding is that Wal-Mart had a devil of a time getting enough employees to stay open 24/7. I don't suppose that has changed. In addition, restaurants in Williston area also having a very difficult time finding employees.
ReplyDeleteYou are probably correct if you are closer to the rumor source.
It doesn't seem Best Buy is the best fit for the stage Williston is in right now. It seems a Home Depot or Lowe's would make a lot more sense.
And you are correct; it's hard to compete with Amazon.
Best buy, home depot or lowes. None of these sound to me like a fit.
ReplyDeleteIn the case of all of them , it would take years do an inventory turn.
You do realize cell phones, tv's become "yesterday's technology " in a matter of months. And other than temp housing, where is the demand for building supplies??
Menards it is! We'll take that over a Best Buy any day!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree. I didn't know the inventory difference between Home Depot and Menard's but HD, Lowe's, Menard's made a lot more sense than Best Buy.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all in Williston. This is huge.
Brilliant. A big box store will open with not enough employees?
ReplyDeleteOr customers either? This is very funny . The housing is all short term "man camps" which is a new term to me but it sounds like the builders dont see enough business to sustain more permanent housing . Based on prior cycles, that is probably a valid position . Economic diversity does not exist in my beloved ND. I wish that were not true :(. Maybe it will happen down the road who knows ?
See "Basic Analysis of the Bakken" at the sidebar at the right.
ReplyDeleteRead Mark Twain's stories about the silver rush to Nevada.
Read about gold rush in California.
Was Alaska "Seward's Folly."
This is huge. Can't wait to visit this summer.
See williston basin 1985 to 1995.
ReplyDeleteMaybe not enough employees, but there will be enough customers. If anyone has shopped in Williston lately, you will see a lot of empty store shelves. Many stores cannot keep enough merchandise on hand. There is a lot of home construction taking place in Williston, and many communities within an hours drive of Williston...Tioga, Watford City, Sidney, Ray, Fairview, etc... probably even be some Dickinson folks driving up instead of heading east to Bismarck. As far as temporary workforce...yes, many of the drilling jobs will go away once they have drilled out (but that could be decades) and then there are the jobs that will still be around needed to maintain and service the completed wells, pipelines, gas plants (2 going up west of Williston and one north of Watford City)...so there will still be many new people and families moving into Williston for many years to come. A town like Williston can't just sit on their hands and wait for a bust...they need to do what they are doing to build a better community...one that people will want to move to and live there for many years. Retail and restaraunts are a big part of what makes a community attractive to new comers. Some of you can doom and gloom about the boom and worrying about a bust...but I for one am going to enjoy what is happening in this town again. Oh yeah...Welcome Menard's I'm glad your moving in...bring some of your friends along with you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your support. Yes, I was quite surprised "anonymous" said "no customers." Menard's in Minot is their number one story in sales (I have been told) and my hunch is Williston will surpass Menard's in Minot.
ReplyDeleteYes, I know it will be difficult getting employees, but my hunch is that they have sorted this out, also.
Again, thank you for your support, and taking the time to write such a long note.
By the way, Minot Menard's biggest customers are Canadians. They come down in trucks and buy large amounts of inventory to take back to Canada.
I should add: You are correct -- Montana customers for Williston's Menard's will be huge.
ReplyDelete