Good morning, Williston.

Troy Girolamo transformed an abandoned house on an 1,800-acre parcel near the Missouri River into The River Ranch—a 7,700 square foot lodge with five bedrooms and a large event hall that seats up to 446 guests.

Managed by Amaya Theetge with decor by Mary Berg and catering from Dabeno’s Bistro, the venue opened in October for a wedding and now hosts corporate retreats, weddings and community events with plans for seasonal decor updates.

Meg-A-Latte coffee house marked its 13th anniversary in February when it opened its seventh store in Bismarck and continues to grow from its Williston roots begun in 2012 - a new location in Grand Forks is planned for the near future.

In North Dakota, job numbers grew by just over one percent in March, adding 47,000 jobs in the past year.

Healthcare jobs saw the largest increase while mining and manufacturing dropped over the past seven months, said Marcia Havens of North Dakota Job Service.

A study by the Western Dakota Energy Association and the North Dakota Petroleum Foundation found that oil and gas tax revenue from 2008 has totaled over $32 billion, with oil-producing counties—Williams and McKenzie—retaining about $1.61 billion and $1.32 billion while urban centers like Bismarck, Fargo and Grand Forks received significant shares. Local officials said they will push for changes since the funds are not enough to cover local needs such as road repairs and emergency services.

New data from Job Service North Dakota shows that earning $20 an hour in Williston leaves workers with barely $300 per month after basic costs—leaving many to rely on side gigs and tight budgeting.

The high cost of living in McKenzie and Williams Counties means saving for emergencies or long-term needs is very difficult for local families.

The Williston City Commission awarded $60,000 from the STAR Fund to 34 community projects after reviewing 50 applications that asked for $482,890 overall—supporting youth initiatives, historical projects and tourism across the region.

The Economic Development Office said applications for next year's grants will open in the fall.