Chamber Priorities

Chamber 2012 Agenda

The Kalispell economy is improving – but too slowly, weakly, and insufficiently to put our region back to work.  In 2012, the Kalispell Chamber’s policy agenda will focus on action that will accelerate economic expansion, job creation, and competitiveness in the global economy. Our agenda will focus on six areas:

Expand Trade and Tourism. With Kalispell hotel occupancies up seven percent in 2011, tourism is a bright spot in our regional economy and the largest job creator over the past year.  The Chamber will launch the second year of a 5-year, $3.0 million campaign to promote Kalispell as a premier visitor and meeting destination.  Expansion of trade and visitation with Canada, which contains a market of 1.5 million people just north of the border, is also high on the Chamber’s jobs agenda.

Advance Pro-growth Legislation and Regulatory Reform. In Montana’s 62^nd Legislative Session, the Legislature achieved workman’s compensation reform resulting in a 20 percent average state-wide decrease in rates and also a reduction of the business equipment tax.    However, that 20 percent decrease only moved Montana from the worst to the fifth worst rates in the nation, so there is still much work to do.  Locally, the City Council started this year with a repeal of transportation impact fees, making a strong statement that it will take the steps necessary to re-energize the construction economy and grow employment.  The Chamber will push to eliminate overreaching regulations that drive up the costs of job creators and make it harder to hire new employees and invest in our community.

Drive Innovation Agenda. Our area features innovation companies in energy, semiconductor equipment manufacturing, small arms manufacturing, unmanned aerial vehicles, and much more.  Our innovation agenda requires advanced capabilities at our community college and a strong K-12 education system.  The Chamber will support these high growth industries through advocacy and Business Expansion and Retention resources.  The Chamber will also make a priority of its work with second-stage businesses – those with 10-99 employees and $1 million+ in sales.  This group of Montana businesses has an outsized impact on job creation because they have 39 percent of the jobs in the state while comprising just eight percent of the business establishments.

Build Transportation and Infrastructure. As we enter 2012, Allegiant Air has just announced non-stop service to the San Francisco Bay Area and work is well underway for the Hutton Ranch Connector roadway.  The Chamber will press for the completion of the Kalispell Alternative Route and for the expansion of the commercial air service network.  Favorable renewal of surface transportation funding legislation that expires in March and investment in broadband infrastructure are also top Chamber priorities.

Develop our Resources Responsibly. The recent announcement of a power purchase agreement between FH Stoltze Land and Lumber Company and Flathead Electric Cooperative for a 2.5 megawatt cogeneration facility is an encouraging sign for the development of a Northwest Montana renewable energy industry based on woody-biomass.  The Chamber will continue its call for responsible development of our natural resources to create good paying jobs and tax revenue for schools and government services.

Increase Member Value. The Chamber will create new benefits that will add value and drive business to our members.  The Chamber will add a mobile web application to the Kalispell Chamber and the Convention and Visitor Bureau web sites which will result new customers for members.

Kalispell Chamber of Commerce

www.kalispellchamber.com * 406-758-2800 * www.discoverkalispell.com