Story Published:
Feb 21, 2012 at 6:43 PM MDT
Story Updated:
Feb 22, 2012 at 4:18 PM MDT
BILLINGS - Nearly a dozen Billings business leaders spoke with economic leaders in Sidney and Williston, North Dakota. They were trying to learn how they can help Bakken businesses succeed, as well as how they can boost the Magic City's economy.
The general manager of Costco Wholesale in Billings, Andy Milliken, envisioned the Bakken being much different than what he saw.
"It was a normal community. It was busy, but we didn't see anything like we'd heard about as far as the Wild West goes," Milliken said.
He said 10% to 20% of Billings Costco members come from Northeastern Montana and North Dakota. He visited retail stores in the Bakken to find out more about their challenges and how Costco can help.
"Sounds like a lot of the employees are actually brought in by some of the companies just to help get through this time," Milliken said. "You could tell that there's a lot of business going through and the business is definitely being stressed to a certain degree."
He also observed inflated prices in stores. A gallon of 2% milk in Williston costs up to $5.69. Costco is selling two gallons of 2% for $4.87.
"Any time we can give our members a better price, it's a great thing for everybody," said Milliken. "You know and that's where we have to find out how we're going to get involved in up there."
Milliken and other Billings business leaders traveled to Sidney and Williston to promote Billings.
"We think there's a lot of opportunities with the activities at MetraPark, comedy events in Billings, general entertainment and restaurants and services that people can get a quick getaway, come to Billings, and enjoy that," said John Brewer, the president and CEO of the Billings Chamber of Commerce/CVB.
Some Billings corporations are already making the most of the crude oil boom.
"It's nice to see a number of Billings companies having such a footprint here in Williston. Whether it's engineering firms, food service providers, advertisers, and others," Brewer said.
The group hopes to provide solutions to the many challenges created by the overwhelming demand in the Bakken, which would also help Billings businesses.
"People here are really hungry for partnerships and opportunities because services are at maximum capacity here," Brewer said.
Costco hopes to bring truckloads of supplies to the area and promote their online presence. Milliken said they're not planning to build a Costco in the Bakken because of land prices and concerns of acquiring enough employees.
Stay with KULR-8 as we examine life for workers in so-called "man camps," where thousands of oil field employees live while working in the Bakken.
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