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.
People go where there are jobs that pay well. Williston will have people. The college may have trouble competing with the job market for a while. 5 years from now Williston Basins towns and cities will be more desirable. Williston and Dickinson may be bigger than Fargo and Grand Forks, or close, in 10 years. It won't feel as lonely. It is nicer than Iraq. Vets will move there.
ReplyDeletePeople live in Canada too. And Detroit.
Anon 1
Thank you for your support and taking time to comment.
ReplyDeleteYou are very correct about folks going where there are jobs. I have former military friends that returned to Iraq as civilians as contractors there.
It's not just jobs but the types of jobs.
ReplyDeleteIf Williston can expand beyond just oil jobs and those jobs that only support those workers, then you will sees some long-term growth. Growing a city is just like growing any investment, you need to diversify.
If Williston can't "make it" nowhere in ND can make it: the weather in Williston is better than 70% of the state. Have the editorial writers lived in Fargo or Grand Forks during the winter?
ReplyDeleteThere are some major trends that the Williston Herald doesn't seem to understand: the Canadian Plains are becoming the economic engine of Canada. Since much of the economic trade from Saskatchewan and Alberta must flow north and south to Denver and Texas, Williston's location is becoming an asset, not a detriment, regardless of the Bakken oil.
Williston, Minot, Havre, and Great Falls will all become critical trade and transport centers with Canada.
It's funny how comments above jog my memory. Years ago I drove a rental car from western Montana (west of the Rockies) back to Wiliston.
ReplyDeleteI stopped at Shelby to eat and was completely amazed how busy that little "city" was. Interstate 15 running north/south into Canada was "crazy" with truck traffic.
You are correct. The Canadian Plains and eastern Montana/western North Dakota are positioned very, very nicely.
Thank you for jogging some very nice memories. So many places I would love to visit again. Shelby is high on my list.
Bruce its possible that Williston could be a community with a calendar much like is used in Europe where 60 days are reserved for Vacations, if the emigaration for work Pays as it should, some fringe benefits could be built into the contracts...like 45 days leave in the heart of winter. Workers schools everything can be adjusted to reflect the harsh realities of ND winters...its done all over the world, ND could easily have a winter break as a feature of a ND lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteNo matter that the locals now may scoff at such a proposition, but many who are on the royalty line now are already plotting AZ 2nd homes....
Its good economics to furlough the work forces when you cant do the work. Make lemonaid from lemons is just good business....whose to say Williston cant have status of Ghost town 2 months of the year?
It would be nice if folks "thought outside the box" on these issues. It will be interesting to see how the Williston "culture" changes 30 years from now.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, furloughing the work force when you can't do the work makes a lot of sense. Except for stuff that absolutely, absolutely has to be done, scheduling decreased operations during January/February makes a lot of sense.
ReplyDelete