Economic Expansion Expected for Minot

In a time when much of the country is talking about an economic downturn job loss and mortgage foreclosures Minot and much of the region are gearing up for population growth and industry expansion Minot Mayor Curt Zimbelman says unofficial forecasts for the Magic City show Minot pushing past 50-thousand residents in a few years Right now about 34 500 people reside within Minot city limits Zimbelman says energy is fueling much of the fire in the growth furnace but there are several key factors including Agriculture and the Minot Air Force Base that are adding to the increase in economic activity Curt Zimbelman Minot Mayor I believe that Minot could be getting up to that area of 50 thousand people in the next two or three years I really believe that could happen and that s why we have to be proactive in preparing ourselves for that not only housing but schools and for churches and you know and for all the different things that go along with this type of thing retail restaurants Wendy Howe with the Minot Convention and Visitors Bureau says it s an exciting time to be in Minot She says there s already talk of a few different businesses moving to town because unlike many areas of the country Minot s long-term growth is looking good Wendy Howe Minot CVB As you see Minot continue to grow and you see a lot of things happening not only in the convention tourism industry but also in the growth in business Those types of businesses are going to come restaurants hotels all of those types of things are going to come as the growth in Minot continues Mayor Zimbelman says well over half of Minot s newly designed energy park is already spoken for by oil companies He says the city is considering a phase two project to accommodate the businesses moving in