The Flathead County Economic Development Authority’s goal of establishing a rail-served industrial park somewhere in the valley received a big boost after Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester announced a $1.147-million grant toward the project.
The Community Trade Adjustment Assistance grant, from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, is aimed at communities that have lost jobs in sectors like manufacturing or timber due to negative effects of trade.
“After visiting with folks in the Flathead Valley and across the state, it’s clear to me that we’ve got to do all we can to help the private sector drive new job creation efforts,” Baucus said. “There is so much potential for this economic development grant to give folks the tools they need to focus on innovation and create good-paying jobs in an area that really needs a boost.”
According to Kellie Danielson, president and CEO of Montana West Economic Development, Flathead County lost approximately 25 percent of its manufacturing jobs in 2009. For years, she said, the Development Authority has been eyeing the purchase of a site suitable for an industrial park as a means to attract new business, and employers, to the Flathead.
“We would identify environmentally friendly rail users that make sense for the area,” she said, adding that could be value-added wood products, an energy-related firm or something entirely different.
Finding suitable locations has been a challenge, Danielson said, noting that it must be served by necessary infrastructure, suitable for construction and not in a floodplain. Columbia Falls is the preferred location, but there are as many as 10 sites under consideration.
“We actually still have someone on the ground out there looking today to make sure we don’t miss anything that might work,” Danielson said.
The grant would go toward the purchase, but isn’t spent unless there’s a deal. Danielson said the authority hopes to choose a location and move on it by the end of the year.
“The whole point is not to miss opportunities if they come along,” she said.