Joel Lundeen likes good investments. It's why he came to Williston, North Dakota from South Carolina last year. And why he stayed.
“I went outside and called my kids and said, how do you feel about moving to Williston, North Dakota. And they went, 'when do you want us to be there,’” Lundeen said.
After a six month remodel, Lundeen now welcomes people in his new restaurant in what used to be Williston Elks Club.
“We literally gutted it to the studs and started over,” Lundeen said.
Lundeen is one of so many who have come here looking to make deals and is a representative of the few who made something happen. He says if you have a solid plan, enough cash and a way to build it, the people just might come.
“It's almost like it's the largest construction site in the whole United States. You've really got to come here to see it,” Paul Hegg said.
Hegg thinks there is opportunity, once you get over the overwhelming construction work going on.
He wants others in the South Dakota business community to see it for themselves. But because not everyone can come, Hegg is bringing North Dakota south.
“The amount of money and infrastructure they're committing to the area speaks for itself. They're not thinking this things going to go away and dry up tomorrow and they're going to pull up the stakes and leave,” Hegg said.
Oil Companies are investing billions into this land. That brings workers, eventually permanent homes, families, and most importantly for any businessman, money.
“Maybe creating some synergies or alliance between those folks,” Hegg said.
“There's a lot of opportunity here, more than any place else,” Lundeen said.
And Lundeen should know. This is one of the two businesses his family runs in town. He has doubled down and a future in a place where explosive growth changes the landscape every single day. And people with a plan are the ones who benefit.
“The likelihood of being successful is higher in a boom, but it doesn't mean you'll be successful,” Lundeen said.
The Hegg Bakken Conference is set for Monday, September 24 from 7:30 a.m. To 4:30 p.m. at the Sioux Falls Hilton Garden Inn. Presenters include oil industry leaders, Williston city leaders and real estate professionals.
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