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Leadership in Both the Public and Private Sectors Critical to Economic Growth

October 15th, Kalispell, MT

Leadership is the first and foremost requirement for successful economic development according to Jay Garner of Garner Economics, an economic development firm in Atlanta, GA.  Mr. Garner addressed a group of over a hundred business and community leaders at the annual Montana West Economic Development Dinner. 

Defining economic development as wealth building, Mr. Garner explained that communities that are successful at attracting new businesses, encouraging existing business and nurturing start-ups are those that come to the table totally prepared with careful research, available resources and an executable plan.  The process of identifying appropriate industries and businesses to recruit is not one that is easy or inexpensive, but it is possible and recommended for areas that are serious about sustainable business development.

Successful communities have identifiable traits in common.  Both private businesses and the local governments must have a vested interest in economic development and the citizens must have a common vision of the future.  Communities must be nimble and have resources at the ready for when opportunities present themselves.  Most importantly leadership must be strong, united and accomplished at consensus building. 

Montana West Economic Development’s board also approved the new 2010 executive board members.  Karen Witt, U.S. Bank; Rita Braun, Braun & Company; Clint Walker, His & Hers Publishing, Pierre Kaptanian, 1st National Bank of Montana; Jeremy Peresta, Parkside Federal Credit Union; and Jason Spring, North Valley Hospital were nominated by the membership and approved by the board for two-year positions. 

Tim Kluesner, Kalispell City Councilman, won the original piece of artwork donated by Marshall Noice. 

For additional information about Jay Garner’s visit, view these articles.

“Leadership Makes Communities”, Daily Inter Lake, October 16th

“With New CEO, Montana West Economic Development Looks to the Future”, The Flathead Beacon, October 19th

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FedEx Facility Breaks Ground

Thanks to the persistance, hard work and collaboration
of many people the construction of the new FedEx
Ground facility was started October 14th.   

DCP Kalispell, a development firm headed by Ron
Buchanan of Roswell, Ga., builds facilities across
the nation and leases them to FedEx. Kramer
Construction of Kalispell is a partner on this project.

The new facility will be an 18,000 square foot,
state-of-the-art building providing both ground service
and electronic tracking of packages from the facility.

Bob Smith, Smith Excavating Lakeside; Ron Buchanan, DCP Kalispell and Terry Kramer, Kramer Enterprises smile as the first dirt is moved at Old School Station for the new FedEx Facility.

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Runway Rehab Completed On Time and Under Budget

Cindi Martin, Director of Glacier Park International Airport, addressed roundtable attendees at a community breakfast meeting hosted by the Hilton Garden Inn and Montana West Economic Development.  Ms. Martin treated everyone to an insiders view of the airline industry and the mechanics of operating a 1500-acre airport and  77,000 square foot public terminal facility with 21 employees.

Some of the facts that Ms. Martin revealed were that the average one-way fare to Salt Lake have increased only $5 since 2003 and that the Flathead has excellent air service for a community of 85,000. Often when the topic of economic development for the Valley arises, business owners express a desire for flights from Spokane or cheap tickets to New York.  She explained the process that the airport authority goes through each year to maintain the airline service we currently enjoy which includes five airlines with direct flights to five large US hub airports including seasonal service to Atlanta & Chicago.

To add flights the airport must prove the numbers are there for the airline to fill seats and make money.  Often communities provide financial guarantees to airlines to get them to start a new route promising to cover the airline’s losses if they are unable to fill flights.  Flathead County Economic Development Authority teamed up with GPIA to do just that when United agreed to start flights to Denver in the June 2007. Fortunately this route has turned out to be successful. 

Ms. Martin mentioned that airlines like Allegiant will do charter planes for large groups looking to come in and ski and hinted that there may be another small airline interested in providing service to the area in the coming year. 

The meeting attendees asked a number of questions concerning teamwork between the airport and local businesses to benefit the economy of the area and one positive suggestion from Scott Ringer of The Lodge at Flathead Lake was the possibility of hotels and resorts sharing the zip codes of guests with the airport administration to pinpoint where leisure travelers lived.

This additional information would assist Ms. Martin in making the case to airlines to expand service. 

Ms. Martin shared her gratitude for the patience of the community during the August rehab of the runway which she announced was completed on time on under budget.

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