New Businesses in Dickinson | Video

Alex Hagan | 6/25/2012

Western North Dakota`s booming economy has sparked the interest of some major retailers. Roers Development recently announced their plans to build several new businesses, and city leaders are excited.

Roers Development recently announced their plans to build several new businesses, and city leaders are excited.

"The Menards, the Cash Wise, of course, the Petco, the Shoe Carnival, the hotels, they`re all things that are needed and desired in Dickinson," said City Administrator Shawn Kessel.

Despite the excitement, more businesses brings up the issue of finding more housing and enough employees for the stores.

"If you can get that staff in adequate housing, that will significantly diminish the problems you may have with turnover and staff acquisition," Kessel said.

More big box stores can be a concern for local mom and pop stores.

"They are competition, so you`re always going to have something, you know. I`m sure they are going to be able to offer cheaper prices because they`re a chain store," said Paw and Claw Pet Palace Manager Jessie Lemieux.

However, for one local pet store, the competition isn`t a big worry.

"They don`t have our customer service, our knowledge that we do for being here for 34 years," Lemieux said.

Local hardware stores have already been dealing with the competition from some major retailers.

"We`ve been competing with Menards, Lowes ever since they started in Bismarck. People have been driving there buying products. I`ve seen their trucks delivering products out here," said Bosch Lumber President Paul Bosch.

The Small Business Development Center says careful planning can overcome the impact of the big corporations.

"If each understands why their clients shop or patronize them, that makes them so much stronger. So, hopefully, we`re going to be able to roll out some tools in the community to give them some good resources," said Ray Ann Kilen with the Small Business Development Center.

However, booming communities like Dickinson will likely continue to attract the attention of major businesses.

City leaders say groundbreaking will start this summer and most of the stores will be finished by spring.

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