From The Williston Wire -- June 4, 2015

Williston's job market continues to grow. In 2013, the City surpassed Minot to become the fourth largest in the state and last year it moved up to number three surpassing Grand Forks County.
Williams County had the highest average weekly wage at $1,593 followed by McKenzie County at $1,498. In other 2014 labor market totals: employment rose by 4.2 percent, an increase of 17,549 jobs and weekly wages were up 6.4 percent, an increase of $978.

North Dakota's labor market is beginning to feel effects from the recent downturn in crude oil prices, but the impact may be less than initially feared. The March unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted, was 3.8 percent compared to 3.4 percent for March of the previous year. And while there are some job losses in the energy sector, other occupational groups in the state are showing employment gains.

With oil rigs in North Dakota hitting a new low Monday at 80, skies may seem dark for airline prospects with a recent statewide drop in passenger departures. Still, officials in Williston are pushing onward with the $250 million airport relocation project, sending the city's final environmental assessment during the week to the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA is expected to approve the plan in August, which places the city into a position to sell the current 800-acre Sloulin Field International Airport and purchase 1,500-acres of land set northwest of the city truck reliever route to build -up the recently named Williston Basin International Airport by 2017. 

Despite some wet weather, the road construction at the intersection of Main Street and Broadway is scheduled to be completed on Wednesday, June 10, 2015. The announcement was made by Knife River officials during their weekly public meeting regarding the Main Street Reconstruction project in downtown Williston.