Hometown Williston is a comprehensive program designed to build and strengthen the connection of former residents, alumni, friends, and relatives with Williston. Former residents and alumni of Williston have displayed a deep affection for the community and a desire to remain connected and to give back in some way.

There are five primary groups of people that the Hometown Williston program has identified to proactively communicate with and develop programs for: visitors, employees, prospective businesses, retirees, and investors.

Oftentimes it is their ties to friends and family that draw people “home” for a variety of reasons including vacations, holidays, hunting and fishing, weddings or funerals. Casual visits and organized events are valuable opportunities for former residents and alumni to return to Williston and further connect with the place they once called home.

Hometown Williston is committed to meeting the needs of these groups educating residents, sponsoring events for visitors, conducting outreach events, and developing many communication methods.

We believe that educating our existing residents on their role in bringing their friends and family home will increase our ability to attract people home to visit and invest in the community.

We continue to sponsor and develop events that encourage people to return home during key times throughout the year including the 4th of July Blast, class reunions, homecoming, and Christmas.

We conduct Hometown Williston outreach events in communities we have identified as having higher concentrations of former Williston residents and alumni. These events provide an opportunity for former residents to interact with members of the Hometown Williston group as well as each other.

We believe communication is the foundation for effectively executing each part of our program. We use a combination of print and electronic media to connect with former residents and alumni.

• Local Media
  • Television and print ads showing alumni that have returned. Additional ads promoting Hometown Williston events.
• Print Material
  • The Hometown Williston magazine - published annually as an insert to the Williston Herald. Articles feature stories of people who have returned to Williston to work or start a business.
  • The Newcomers Guide is also published annually as an insert to the Williston Herald.
  • Summer Calendar of Events – insert in the Williston Herald, distributed to area racks, made available on the willistonnd.com Web site, and sent out on the Williston Wire.
• Williston Web Site
  • The willistonnd.com Web site has provided an area for Hometown Williston to provide information about the program.
• Williston Wire
  • The Williston Wire is an e-mail communication tool managed by Williston Economic Development that has been offered as a resource to the Hometown Williston as part of a joint effort.
  • Visit the Williston Wire for more information and to signup.

Through the efforts of this program, we look forward to the continued development of relationships and activities between Williston and its former residents and alumni.