Community Voices: Former director defends Missoula Area Economic Development Corp.’s accomplishments
After working in community and economic development for 21 years in Havre for Bear Paw Economic Development Corporation, I accepted the position as executive director of the Missoula Area Economic Development Corp.
I worked for that organization until 2011. Mayor John Engen’s comments regarding economic development published in the October 4 edition of the Missoulian included the statement that in 2010 our community “didn’t have a cohesive, goal-oriented economic development program.” For that reason, he worked to establish the Missoula Economic Partnership. The city is contributing about $100,000 annually to MEP.
My purpose in writing this column is to highlight some the achievements of MAEDC during my tenure and to express my deepest appreciation for the commitment of several members of our board of directors and staff to helping our community.
In the fall of 2000, Pyramid Mountain Lumber in Seeley Lake announced that the company would be closing within a few months. A board member called me and asked what I would do to keep the company open. This was a challenge since I had just moved to Missoula from Havre, and the timber industry was nonexistent in that part of the state. I asked the board member if he knew the leadership of Pyramid Lumber. He did and we scheduled a meeting, at which the company agreed to remain in business if the programs we discussed could actually help.
MAEDC took the leadership, assembled a team consisting of local and state government workers, and developed a financing package that enabled Pyramid to stay open. About 160 good-paying jobs were saved and the company is one of the few lumber producers still operating in Montana.Another example of MAEDC’s achievements is MonTEC, otherwise known as the Montana Technology Enterprise Center. Working with the University and a local bank, as well as the federal Economic Development Administration, MAEDC was able to facilitate
Another example of MAEDC’s achievements is MonTEC, otherwise known as the Montana Technology Enterprise Center. Working with the University and a local bank, as well as the federal Economic Development Administration, MAEDC was able to facilitate purchase of the property located on East Broadway, complete a comprehensive rebuild, and manage the small business incubator. Several companies, most of which were based on University research, got their start at MonTEC.
With regard to recruitment, MAEDC worked in 2005 to bring a DirecTV customer service center to Missoula. With help from the Montana Board of Investments and the Department of Commerce’s Workforce Training Program, the company created about 800 jobs with good benefits. AT&T purchased DirecTV last year, and the facility continues to make significant contributions to our economy. It is located at the Missoula County Industrial Park, and the County was also instrumental in making the project happen.
Other examples of MAEDC’s achievements include helping the Good Food Store successfully complete their move to their current location, helping Neptune Aviation when the U.S. Forest Service cancelled their contract, working with the state to establish a loan fund to assist the wood products industry in the wake of the great recession, and securing funding to assist with the cleanup of the old Sawmill District.
Credit for these and many other achievements goes first to the several members of MAEDC’s board of directors who spent hundreds of volunteer hours working on projects that have helped our community. I also want to recognize the important role of MAEDC’s staff. Along with many private businesses and the University of Montana, the city of Missoula, as well as Missoula County, were members of MAEDC. The city’s annual contribution to MAEDC was around $14,000.
I welcome any comments or questions from readers.
Dick King
409 W. Artemos Dr.
Missoula, MT 59803
king.tripledivide@gmail.com