Williston Grows to the West

So much is happening in the way of industrial development in Williston, it's hard to keep up. But when one local realtor stopped to consider this week, he counted five new buildings for either new or existing oil field service businesses in the past year, with two more companies on the way. "There's probably more companies coming here than Minot," said Craig McIvor, they just haven't sought out publicity. McIvor has handled the sales of a number of parcels recently, developed by Williston's Abe Owan. Several of the companies have located in a new subdivision in Judson Township, about seven miles west of Williston, referred to commonly as the "Judson Township Industrial Park." "Knight Oil located here last fall," purchasing about 20 acres. They're operating in a 30,000 square foot shop. Quail Tools, a company that rents oil field tools, opened this spring. Pat's Offroad, another oil field service company, which heats water for big facturing jobs, is building in the same area. "Stallion built a new facility," said McIvor, four miles west and 1 mile south of Williston, where they will be moving their operation in September. That area is referred to as the "Stallion Subdvision." Nearby, west of Lindsey Implement, Thomas Tool is beginning groundwork and hopes to start building this month. "These are big companies," McIvor said, and they've all made major investments to do business in Williston. The Sunset Subdivision where Thomas Tool is locating contains 80 acres of commercial and 45 acres of residential land for development, so there's room for growth. None of these companies have sought incentives or public funding of any kind to locate in Williston, McIvor said. McIvor handles the sales of land and buildings, while Owan develops the properties. McIvor said two more companies are on the way, planning to set up shop in the Sunset Subdivision, but representatives for those companies have chosen not to be identified by name at this time.