Williston becomes Boomtown USA

By Noah Brenner Williston North Dakota

 27 September 2012 22:59 GMT

ON THE windswept plains of North Dakota, the rush to tap the Bakken tight oil play is turning the small town of Williston into the US’ most famous boomtown.

Williston’s permanent population is estimated to be 17,500, but many more workers pour in to work shifts that range from a week to a month and then return to their homes in far-flung states such as Texas, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.

“It literally has changed the lives of everyone here,” says Williston resident Tate Cymbaluk.

Cymbaluk, 38, grew up in Williston and now serves as a town commissioner in charge of emergency services and on the county planning and zoning board.

Williston grew at a rate of 8.8%, according to the latest figures from the…

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