Small town reaps benefits of oil, stays true to self

Story by TINA DING

Seems change is inevitable — particularly to a small town facing an influx of oil workers, oilrigs and pipelines. Frequently, trucks rumble through town, albeit utilizing the truck bypass instead of Main Street. Established “man camps” commonly house seasonal workers and the infrastructure feels a burden. Access roads to drilling sites now criss-cross the surrounding landscape — where wide-open spaces once prevailed.

Yet folks at Stanley hold steadfast to their way of life. Since farming and livestock has been the mainstay for as long as anyone remembers, they aim to keep it that way. Area farmers primarily plant and harvest durum wheat, with spring wheat a close second crop; over the last ten years, farmers are diversifying — choosing flax, canola and barley as well as peas or lentils.

“A couple of dairy operations remain,” Consolidated Farm Service’s David Leith said. “However, most of our livestock is cattle; some dual farm — planting wheat and raising cattle.”

Situated midway between Minot and Williston on ND Highway 2, Stanley is home to 1,279 people, according to the 2000 census. With growth happening more rapidly than the infrastructure is prepared for, city officials are planning for new developments in residential housing as well as commercial business. Local hotels and apartments are spoken for; homes for sale are currently non-existent.

School enrollment remains steady, and businesses thrive on Main Street. When Ruth Husjulien opened Prairie Outfitters with her husband 14 years ago, she was filling a niche. Replacing the former men’s clothing store, she has since grown the business to include children’s and women’s clothing. She has also taken advantage of increased business due to the oil play.

“A requirement of oil workers — all of them — is to be dressed in flame-retardant clothing,” Husjulien said. “Whether working on site or making deliveries, these workers are expected to be prepared for flash fires.” Further, she said workers sport the tiny symbol of flame-retardant wear on every piece of clothing, many of them name brands, and she carries those lines in her outfitting store. Everything from bib overalls and warm outerwear to required long sleeved shirts or steel toe boots may be purchased locally.

“Having the oil business has been a boost for us,” Husjuilien said, “But we reach out to the needs of our community as well. We provide sweatshirts with local school logos on them as well as offer jeans and other clothing — keeping our shoppers somewhat local, less the need to drive in to larger towns.”
To promote the city of Stanley, a Commercial Club meets monthly. Member Jan Aardahl said they market the town to bring people to town for reasons other than oil. “Our marketing reflects our goal for others: ‘Experience North Dakota, Stanley Style: in business, farming, industry, family, medical and energy,’ ” Aardahl said.

Not only do they hope to draw workers to Stanley for the oil field, they hope to encourage a balance among the people who live in the city. Aardahl manages the Ina Mae Rude Aquatic Center. The recipient of a $2 million gift, the city of Stanley constructed a state-of-the-art warm water therapy center. Their therapeutic and exercise aquatic center is open to the public and offers memberships.

“As the inventor of Duraflex diving boards, Raymond C. Rude left Stanley with only a few dollars in his pocket,” Aardahl said. “Eventually, he returned to Stanley — donating large sums of money to the community as gifts. He felt everyone should have the opportunity to swim.”

Aardahl said the center offers a wide range of water fitness classes including both medium and high impact workouts, arthritis classes and offers the facility to the schools for aquatic fitness. She said their mission is to enhance the lifestyle of users, so they might improve their health.

The Flickertail Village is an outdoor museum of buildings from the area; the Sibyl Center hosts a variety of arts, humanities and educational programming.
Businesses are doing well, with the increase of oil workers staying in town. Restaurants are filled, hotels have no vacancies and local bulk oil companies feel the crunch of added traffic. Offering self-serve pumps with metered keys, Meier’s Oil Bulk Distribution increased their businesses to include 150 keys, up from 50 in the past — allowing drivers to fill 24/7. Additionally, they haul bulk fuel to construction vehicles.

“The increase of trucks has beaten our roads up pretty badly,” Stanley City Auditor Bev Gleave said. “The down side of the traffic increase is that we are out of housing, we need to increase our lagoon with another cell and address a landfill that’s full. On the up side, business is up for all businesses and we’re looking forward to a new pizza shop. As a city, we’re re-doing main street.”

“With progress comes challenges,” Aardahl said of Stanley, “and with challenges come progress.”