Ground Breaking Sand Creek Town Center AND Chandler Field Housing Development -- Williston, North Dakota, The Bakken, USA

Link here to the Williston Herald. The story includes a graphic, but remember: regional links break often and break early.

The construction project will house a 14-screen theater along with major retail chains on the west side of of the city is under way. However, Menards, once thought to be a major player in the project has yet to commit to Williston for a future home. City officials announced last year that Menards would be the first of the big box stores to be located in the shopping center — a claim Menards has never verified.

A Menards spokesperson emailed the Williston Herald this morning that the store has “nothing to report at this time.”

With or without Menards, the project promises to bring in a more retail options to people of not only Williston, but the region. The nearest shopping center of similar size is in Minot, about 120 miles away.
Granite Peak Development, the Wyoming-based developer of Sand Creek, said talks are still ongoing with Menards.

I've opined on the Menards story months ago. It's been so long ago that I've long forgotten where it's posted.

Meanwhile, another link and story (this is a video link and the link will likely break sooner than later) sent by the same reader who sent the link above:

Homes for thousands of people and retail and commercial space for many companies took a step toward becoming reality west of Williston today.

Ground was broken for the new Northwest development, that promises more than 1,300 multi-family units and more than 200-thousand square feet of retail space as well as a 157-room hotel.

Governor Jack Dalrymple said state oil funds granted to Williston played a key role in making the development possible.

Mayor Ward Koeser said the project involves a lot of risk.

(Ward Koeser - Mayor of Williston) "The investment is huge.  There is a huge risk that is taken betting and investing in the community but we are going to move forward and we are so thankful for that.  We need help...we need people who are willing to come here from other areas, buy land, build on it, develop it, and help us become a better community."

Land for the project was sold by 20-year owners Jenelle and Orville Loomer who have now moved to Wyoming.

They operated an RV park on the land, and lived in a building located on the property.

They say they're glad the land is being used for a new community.

I do remember the name, the Loomers. Good for them. Especially the part about moving to Wyoming. Smile.