I just finished reading the comments to the Williston Herald's op-ed piece on whether Williston will "make it" this time. Not so much whether the oil boom will last, but whether enough folks will stay in Williston to provide a base, to provide the workers for the service industries, to survive or last as a "real town."
One of the comments, and one that I've voiced, had to do with the harsh winters. Folks coming to Williston to work the oil patch are not likely to stay here once they've experienced a few winters.
But then I thought about the Williston State College and the new dormitory. I would imagine the vast majority of students enrolling at WSC are from Williston and the outlying areas. In the past, there was not as much opportunity for young adults to remain in Williston after graduating from high school. Surveys showed these folks leaving Williston, and many of them leaving North Dakota.
Now there are more than enough jobs available, and for those who choose to do so, can attend college close to home. And these folks have experienced North Dakota winters -- about eighteen of them, and have survived; some have thrived.
Something tells me the college plus all the jobs currently available will keep a lot of those high school students from Williston, Crosby, Wolf Point, Alexander, Watford City, and all the rest from leaving western North Dakota / eastern Montana.
Thirty-some years ago the US Air Force had a devil of a time getting "volunteers" to Minot and Grand Forks air force bases. Surveys revealed that families would accept less-than-desirable assignments if given the opportunity to move less often. Young families cringe every time there is another move: mothers have to go through the process of re-enrolling their children in school, and students leave their friends.
The Air Force tried something novel: "volunteers" to norther tier bases (as they were called) were guaranteed 5-year tours. It was really something. The Air Force had more than enough volunteers for this trade-off, and I met many military folks who ended up settling in the Grand Forks area (my first Air Force assignment after training).
It's very possible the jobs and the college will be part of the answer in keeping folks in Williston.
Maybe I'm just too optimistic. I will be long gone after all this plays out, but it will be interesting to follow.
