Local – Page 16 – TheMinotVoice.com

Regina to Estevan Passing lanes draw criticism from committees

by: Josh Wolsky | August 2, 2017

Our Canadian neighbors have been discussing a dramatic improvement to the road that connects Estevan to Regina. In Canada, the improvement is call twinning, here in the states, we’d call it four-laning. Whatever the language, and improvement to the road would solidify Minot’s position on an important trade corridor. But it seems the Canadians are

Read & Share sourced from: Estevan Mercury

Fires are torching Montana, and the money is running out

by: Josh Wolsky | August 2, 2017

As the rain thankfully falls, there will be a small reprieve from the fire concerns. But single storm won’t right the rain deficit, and the fire threat is likely to remain through the fall. In Montana, where they’ve been fighting fires all summer, the resources are dwindling. Matt Volz with the Associated Press has the

Read & Share sourced from: Associated Press

In Crookston, Housing and economic development organizations combine

by: Josh Wolsky | July 27, 2017

The challenges and methods for dealing with those challenges of cities across the region is strikingly similar. Job creation and economic growth are challenges that nearly every smaller community deals with, and in Crookston, MN, they’ve been managing those efforts from two different organizations. But a lack of resources and overlapping missions forced them into

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

Williston takes pro-business position on new business models

by: Josh Wolsky | July 27, 2017

What does a city do when a new business concept presents challenges because they don’t fit nicely inside current laws and regulations? In Williston the direction of City Commissioners is to go slowly and carefully, but make sure the message sent is that Williston is open to new business concepts. Beverage kiosks (the article doesn’t

Read & Share sourced from: Williston Herald

Grand Forks recruitment campaigns are overdue

by: Josh Wolsky | July 25, 2017

The news on this topic is just above. Basically, the political sub divisions around Grand Forks are combining their efforts to frame the region in a more positive light. And the effort got the attention of the Herald’s editorial staff. In short, they like the idea.

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

Shopping habits are hurting American jobs, especially today

by: Josh Wolsky | July 25, 2017

In the 1970’s and 1980’s, it was the rise of the mall that dramatically changed shopping habits and the retail delivery model. Today, it’s the Internet and giant online retailers like Amazon. The consumer behavior is shifting toward the model that provides lower prices and more convenience, and the pace of the change is increasing.

Read & Share sourced from: The Washington Post

‘We hereby declare!’ Young citizens take oath in special Children’s Museum event

by: Josh Wolsky | July 25, 2017

When it comes to immigration formalities, the children of naturalized parents and those adopted by American parents are often notified by of their citizenship by a letter in the mail. But at a recent ceremony at the Children’s Museum of Minnesota, the full oath and recognition of the occasion were celebrated. The Star Tribune has

Read & Share sourced from: Star Tribune

In Williston, a downtown fixture closing its doors this month

by: Josh Wolsky | July 25, 2017

A generations-old retail store in downtown Williston is closing its doors this week. The downtown Hallmark store has been in Williston in some form since 1964, but changes in consumer retail behavior have forced the change. It’s relevant here in Minot because it’s a sign of changing times. Tomorrow, Minot’s City Council will be discussing

Read & Share sourced from: Williston Herald

The biggest infrastructure project in the US is a 3,000-mile bike path

by: Josh Wolsky | July 25, 2017

It’s called the East Coast Greenway; it connects Maine to Florida, and it’s being funded by private donors, state, and local governments. The goal is connectivity. Read the full story on Quartz.

Read & Share sourced from: Quartz

Claims that renewable energy threatens the stability of the US power grid is ludicrous

by: Josh Wolsky | July 25, 2017

A common argument heard in North Dakota is the need to maintain coal-fired power plants because of their ability to provide the basic baseline power needs of the electrical grid. That we would attach ourselves to arguments that defend an industry important to our state is not surprising; I would say it’s a natural reaction.

Read & Share sourced from: Quartz

Our economic future depends on storytellers

by: Josh Wolsky | July 21, 2017

Heard a good story lately? It’s kind of a trick question, because if you did, you may not even know it. Storytelling is a time-honored art form, but we’re just now discovering the relevance it has to what we think, who we trust, and how we act. And our ability to spin a yarn may

Read & Share sourced from: Quartz

Winnipeg economic development agency holding Railside Promenade ideas competition

by: Josh Wolsky | July 21, 2017

In Winnipeg, The Forks Renewal Corporation, the city’s economic development agency, is looking to spur redevelopment in a neighborhood dominated by wide roads and parking lots. And how are they going about doing it? They’re holding a design competition. They’ve set basic goals of what they want to accomplish and the terms of what’s required

Read & Share sourced from: Winnipeg Free Press

Judge is asked to halt Army Corps’ flood-diversion project for Fargo-Moorhead

by: Josh Wolsky | July 19, 2017

The Fargo-Moorhead area’s attempt to build flood protection is in the hands of a federal judge. The state of Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources has denied the project a needed permit. The details of the case may be of interest to the legally inclined, but the context in which this matters to Minot is this:

Read & Share sourced from: Star Tribune

Tips for running a successful capital campaign

by: Josh Wolsky | July 19, 2017

The Roosevelt Park Zoo, the Magic City Discovery Center, and the Souris Valley Animal Shelter are three local organizations with capital campaigns either underway or soon to get started. The success of those campaigns and the projects they intend to deliver would no doubt be a boon to our community. So, this article from The

Read & Share sourced from: The Current

FEMA floodplain open house your opportunity for one-on-one answers

by: Josh Wolsky | July 18, 2017

Wednesday, July 19th FEMA and the City of Minot will be hosting an open house at the Municipal Auditorium from 10:00 am till 8:00 pm. As a result of FEMA’s floodplain remapping process of the Souris Valley, approximately 4,000 properties in the Minot area will be newly included in the area’s revised floodplain. That means

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A Toxic Legacy: North Dakota Looks To Clean Up Old Oilfield Waste

by: Josh Wolsky | July 18, 2017

One of the considerable by-products of oil production in North Dakota is the extremely salty wastewater we get back along with the oil. It’s not a new problem. And though modern practices inject wastewater deep underground, there are still a number of legacy era brine pits that continue to leach salt water contamination into nearby

Read & Share sourced from: Inside Energy