Local legislators optimistic about Bison World being built in Jamestown
Mar. 26—JAMESTOWN — District 12 and 29 legislators are optimistic about Bison World being built in Jamestown in the near future.
"I think it's super, super viable," said Rep. Mitch Ostlie, R-Jamestown. "I'm 100% on board with this project. We need to get multiple branches of government to say, 'Yay.'"
District 12 and 29 lawmakers answered questions about the legislative session on Saturday, March 22, at a meet-and-greet event hosted by the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce at the Gladstone Inn & Suites. Bison World was one of several topics that the lawmakers discussed.
The Bison World project calls for the construction of a bison-themed cultural and entertainment park adjacent to Interstate 94 on land currently owned by the state of North Dakota through the North Dakota State Hospital. When complete, the park would include an amphitheater, museums and other attractions to entertain and educate visitors about the American bison, which is the national mammal.
Preliminary costs for the project are between $100 million to $200 million depending on the scope of the project. The hope is to break ground in spring 2026 if the project gets funding through the state and privately.
Rep. Bernie Satrom, R-Jamestown, said the state needs to diversify its economy.
"Ag and energy are fantastic, but tourism would be really helpful," he said.
Satrom said a misperception of the Bison World project is people thinking it's all about Jamestown.
"I would argue it's all about North Dakota," he said.
District 12 and 29 legislators and local officials recently met with Gov. Kelly Armstrong and gave a presentation about the Bison World project. Bob McTyre, president and founder of Apogee Attractions, the project designer, and representatives from leading naming rights firm Innovative Partnerships Group and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, a leading entertainment and sports law firm, were also present at the meeting with Armstrong.
"I do believe he (Armstrong) is going to look at the project quite deeply, and that's encouraging," Ostlie said.
Sen. Terry Wanzek, R-Jamestown, said Armstrong also discussed the Bison World project with him individually.
"I feel that we have a better chance of this governor ... showing some interest and support for Bison World," Wanzek said. "I didn't see that quite to the same degree with the previous governor."
Brian Lunde, part of the local volunteer group spearheading the Bison World project, declined to discuss the details of the meeting but said Armstrong "is a refreshing new leader for North Dakota.
"He cares deeply about communities like Jamestown and this part of North Dakota," he said.
Lunde added that Armstrong is surrounded by an "exceptional staff" who also attended the meeting, including Chief of Staff Roz Leighton, Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken and North Dakota Tourism Director Sara Otte Coleman.
Rep. Craig Headland, R-Montpelier, said he thinks Armstrong believes in the project. He said local legislators are working hard to help make the Bison World project come to fruition.
"I'm more optimistic now than I probably have been in the past," he said.
Wanzek said work is being done in the House to get a 99-year lease on the state-owned land, which makes it more attractive to Bison World investors. He said it's difficult to get a lease that goes beyond two years.
He said no state funding is earmarked specifically for Bison World but the North Dakota Department of Commerce has programs that could help the project.
"So we're trying to make sure there's some money in the Development Fund and the destination tourism grants," he said. "Those would be two examples where your Bison World could go to get some resources, and I think that's what we need to work with Kelly Armstrong."
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