Page 6 - Flathead Beacon // 7.2.14

6 | JULY 2, 2014
NEWS
FLATHEADBEACON.COM
W•O•R•D•S of the Week
AN INDEX OF RECENT NEWSMAKERS
EXEMPT
The Supreme Court ruled this week that family-owned corporations are not required to pay for insurance coverage for contraception under the Affordable Care Act, citing the nation’s religious freedom law.
SUN ROAD
Fingers crossed, the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road could open all the way up the west side of Glacier National Park this week, officially marking the arrival of summer in the Flathead.
BEARS
It’s summertime, which means the state’s bears are out and about. Read this week’s business story to learn about a local company at the forefront of defending against agitated bears. And this week’s outdoors story is about wildlife expert Jack Hanna, who is hosting a fundraiser at his home to support bear management efforts.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
The United States adopted the Declaration of Independence 238 years ago July 4. Have a safe and fun Fourth of July.
Xanterra Buoys Columbia Falls
New Glacier Park conces- sioner adds facilities, jobs to vacant corner of town
By TRISTAN SCOTT of the Beacon
COLUMBIA FALLS – A formerly va- cant lot at Main and Center streets in Co- lumbia Falls has been transformed into a warehouse and laundry facility by Gla- cier National Park’s newest concessioner, Xanterra Parks and Resorts, and the addi- tion of jobs appears to be stimulating the economy, according to business and com- munity leaders.
“The Xanterra management has been
extremely busy getting their operation up and going,” City Manager Susan Nico- sia said of the improvements since Xan- terra employees arrived in earnest sever- al months ago. “The enhancement to the two buildings that have stood vacant and unused for several years is the first thing that comes to my mind – the conversion of a dilapidated block to a thriving operation is extremely positive. The influence of having 40-60 employees in the city is also very positive and should benefit the local restaurants and stores.”
And while Nicosia acknowledged that the entire extent of the company’s pres- ence remains to be seen, the addition of Xanterra employees is welcome.
Last summer, the National Park Ser-
vice announced it had selected Xanterra to operate lodging, retail, transportation and food and drink services inside Gla- cier National Park. The contract lasts 16 years. The agreement requires Xanterra to replace much of the lodging furnish- ings throughout the park; remodel select- ed guest rooms in the Many Glacier Hotel and Lake McDonald Lodge; improve food and beverage services at Heidi’s in Many Glacier and the Two Medicine Campstore; improve sustainable and healthy food op- tions; and add two handicap accessible tour buses to the Red Bus fleet. Xanterra must also establish a Red Bus mainte- nance fund.
See Xanterra PAGE 32
Brenda Dossey loads towels onto a fold- ing machine
at Xanterra’s new facility near downtown Columbia Falls. Dossey has worked for Xanterra for three years and was previously stationed at Yellowstone National Park.
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