FAIRVIEW OVERALL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN Time Sensitive Document TABLE OF CONTENTS COMMUNITY PROFILE SUMMARY MISSION STATEMENT INTRODUCTION AND SETTING LOCATION AGRICULTURE OIL INDUSTRY GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND ASSISTANCE COMMUNITY SERVICES HOUSING PUBLIC SCHOOLS NAFTA AND GATT HEALTH CARE ECONOMIC /COMMUNITY/BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE MONTANA STATE LEGISLATURE TAX STRUCTURE LACK OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND HISTORICAL ASSETS PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES GOALS OBJECTIVES AND ACTION ITEMS COMPLETED ACTION ITEMS BIBLIOGRAPHY  Montana Certified Communities Program Community Profile City Name: Fairview County Name: Richland DEMOGRAPHICS Population 1990 2000 2010 est. City 869 810 County 10716 10351 Civilian Labor Force 1990 2000 2010 est. City 469 410 County 5322 5346 Employed 1990 2000 City 409 425 County 4990 5036 Unemployed 1990 2000 City 33 30 County 332 298 Unemployed as Percent of Labor Force 1990 2000 City 6.2 5.8 County 6.2 5.8 Population: Age Distribution 18-44 45-64 Male 1970 916 Female 1879 991 Total 3849 1907 Total Population 25 Years & Older 5756 % Completed High School 85.6 % Bachelors Degree or More 21.9 Workforce Wage Information Per Capita Income $ 16,944 Average Annual Wage $ 17,790 Industry Avg. Annual Annual Avg. Annual Classification Employees Wages Paid Wage Construction 184 467829 25425 Manufacturing 560 9734705 24898 Wholesale Trade 208 4086651 19647 Retail Trade 904 10286320 11378 Services 827 14990411 18126 Major Employers Company name Product/Service Year Established # Employee Fairview Schools Education Dahle Honey Honey Business Activity New/Expansion of Company Current Total Company name Product/Service # Jobs Created # of Employees Valley Cafe Cafe 2 2 Valley Hardware Lumber 1 2 Company Departure/Downsizing of Company Current Total Company name Product/Service # Jobs Reduced # of Employees TRANSPORTATION Motor Carriers Distance in highway miles from United States cities: Seattle 1100 Denver 762 Salt Lake City 841 Portland 1171 Boise 899 Chicago 1057 Spokane 820 San Francisco 1463 Los Angeles 1530 Highways Serving Community: Federal: 2 State: 200 Number of Motor Carriers Serving Community: 1 Number of Bus Carriers Serving Community: 1 UTILITIES Electric/Natural Gas Supplier: Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. Service Offered: Electric and Natural Gas For connection to service, call 1-800-MDU-FAST (638-3278) Water Supplier: City Source: well Capacity:250,000 Avg. Consumption: Peak Consumption: Sewer Supplier: City Type: fl Capacity: Avg. Load: Present Load: Telecommunication Supplier: Midrivers Service Offered: Local Phone (742) w/ choice of calling features (including voice mail), Long Distance, CATV, High-speed Internet Access (via cable modem service), 56K dial-up Internet Access, domain name hosting, web page hosting, Distance Learning through Interactive Television, and phone system sales and service. COMMERCIAL SERVICES Communication Services Newspapers (name; daily/weekly): Sidney Herald Number of Radio Stations: AM 2 FM 2 Number of TV Stations: Local: 3 Public: Cable: 60 Financial Services Number of Banks: 1 Total Assets: $466,000 Lodging Number of Hotels & Motels Available: 1 Number of Rooms available:5 Postal & Delivery Providers: USPS COMMUNIY SERVICES Health Care Number of Clinics: 1 Number of Pharmacists: 1 Number of Physicians: 1 Recreational/Cultural Number of Swimming Pools: 1 Number of Tennis Courts: 1 Number of Parks: 2 Number of Libraries: 1 Other: Religious Number of Protestant Churches: 5 Number of Catholic Churches: 1 EDUCATION Public Schools Enrollment Teacher/Pupil Ratio Elementary 105 1-13 Middle 54 1-12 High School 106 1-8 Number of High School graduates in last academic year: 21 Average SAT Scores: Average ACT Scores: 21 TAX STRUCTURE Corporation Tax In Montana, corporations are subject to the corporation license tax or the corporation income tax. Both are essentially the same tax. The corporation license tax is an excise tax on the privilege of engaging in business as a corporate entity. The corporation income tax is a tax on corporations that generate taxable income from Montana sources but do not engage in or do business in Montana. The tax rates for corporation license taxes and corporation income tax are identical. Both the corporation income and license tax are levied on all new income derived from or attributable to, all sources within the state during the taxable period. The tax is 6 3/4 percent of all net income with a minimum tax of $50. The taxable period may be either the calendar year or the fiscal year. Some corporations that do not derive their income solely from sources within the state may elect an alternative rate for computing either corporation license or their income tax. Corporations deriving income from both in and outside of Montana may elect to pay 0.5% of the gross volume of sales made in Montana during the taxable period, in lieu of the tax, provided the corporations only activities in Montana consist of making sales. Corporations are allowed the same deductions from their Montana gross income as are permitted under the Internal Revenue Code, provided the deductions are related to gross income generated from Montana sources. State corporation income tax is disallowed as a deduction in determining net income. Operating losses, however, can be carried back three years and carried forward seven years. For corporations that also do business outside the state, specific methods for allocating gross income and deductions are listed 15-31-113 and 15-31-114, Montana Code Annotated. Personal Income Tax Rate Each individual is liable for income tax on his Montana taxable income. This quantity is derived from gross income by making certain adjustments and taking a variety of allowable deductions and exemptions. The tax due is then calculated by using the following rate schedule, if taxable income is: over but not over multiply by and subtract tax 0 1,900 X 2% - 0 = 1,900 3,900 X 3% - 19 = 3,900 7,800 X 4% - 58 = 7,800 11,600 X 5% - 136 = 11,600 15,500 X 6% - = 15,500 19,400 X 7% - 407 = 19,400 27,200 X 8% - 601 = 27,200 38,800 X 9% - 873 = 38,800 67,900 X 10% - 1,261 = 67,900 X 11% - 1,940 = example: taxable income $2,000 x 3%(.03) = $60 - $19 = $41 tax Montana allows a $1,550 exemption for each dependent. This tax generally applies to the net income of Montana residents and to that of non-residents derived from sources within Montana. Each year the personal exemptions, standard deduction, and rate schedule are indexed to account for inflation. The above rate schedule and exemptions are for the taxable year 1997. These are revised each year. Property tax assessment is administered by the State Department of Revenue. Under half (40 percent) of Montanas total tax revenue comes from the property tax. Most land and improvements are assessed at 3.816 percent of market value. Manufacturing and mining machinery, fixtures, equipment, tools, and supplies are assessed at 4 - 6 percent of market value. Qualifying new industrial property is assessed at 3 percent of market value for the first three years of operation. (3% is subject to local mill levies.) The taxpayer may appeal the assessment made on his property through the hierarchy consisting of administrative boards (county and state tax appeal boards), state district courts, and the state supreme court. Accommodation "Bed" Tax Rate 4% Property Tax Rates (per $100 of assessed value) by allocation: City 17.5 County 3.816 School District Other Assessment Ratio (% of market value): City .176 County School District Other Actual Valuation of City: $ 442096 City Bond Indebtedness: General Obligation $ Revenue $ 62658 Actual Valuation of County: $ City Bond Indebtedness: General Obligation $ Revenue $ MUNICIPAL SERVICES County Sheriffs Department Full Time Officers Rural Fire District Volunteers Insurance Rating Zoning Ordinance City Police Department 2 Full Time Officers Insurance Rating Zoning Ordinance yes Comprehensive City Plan no CLIMATE Elevation feet Avg. Annual Rainfall 13.67 inches Avg. Annual Snowfall 8 inches Avg. length of growing season days Annual Avg. Temperature 43.9 Avg. January Temperature 1.8 Avg. July Temperature 86 HOUSING & CONSTRUCTION NEW HOUSING IN 1990- 7,.1% OF HOUSING STOCK, TOTAL HOUSING STOCK-,7,821 UNITS ,2 AVERAGE PER HOUSEHOLD, 18.5% BUILT IN 80'S 26.9% BUILT IN 70'S 20.3% BUILT PRIOR TO 1939 56.6% ON PUBLIC WATER 61.5% ON PUBLIC SEWER 3,956 OCCUPIED UNITS 70.7% OF TOTAL OCCUPIED $44,200 MEDIAN VALUE (-8.1% FROM 1980) 1,159 RENTER OCCUPIED $280 MEDIAN GROSS RENT 94.5% WITH TELEPHONE, .9% CONDO, 63% HEATED WITH GAS, 11.7% HEATED WITH ELECTRICITY ,66.9% ONE UNIT DETACHED, 6.2% FIVE OR MORE UNITS, 16.5% MOBILE HOME AVAILABLE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE See virtual building at SUMMARY OUR TOPOGRAPHY VARIES FROM IRRIGATED FARMLAND, RANGE LAND, BADLANDS, ROUGH BREAKS AND PINE COVERED HILLS TO LIMESTONE CLIFFS. THE GENERAL ECONOMY OF THE AREA IS BASED ON AGRICULTURE, WITH OIL AND GAS ACTIVITY. HOME BASED COMPUTER AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE BEING DEVELOPED. HOWEVER, DOMINANT INDUSTRIES ARE AGRICULTURE AND ENERGY, BOTH OF WHICH HAVE SHOWN EXTREME INSTABILITY IN THE PAST 17 YEARS. THE BUSINESS OF EXTRACTIVE ENERGY RESOURCES CAME AND WENT IN A LITTLE MORE THAN A DECADE LEAVING RESIDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY REELING. AN AREA WIDE DROUGHT, PRICES AND OTHER ISSUES, BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL, FORCED AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS INTO A DEFENSIVE MODE; CUT PROFITS AND SUBSTANTIALLY DEPOPULATED OUR COMMUNITY TO NEAR NONEXISTENCE. A MAJOR ECONOMIC PROBLEM IDENTIFIED FOR THIS COMMUNITY INCLUDES THE LACK OF BUSINESS DIVERSIFICATION. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES ARE BASED PRIMARILY ON RESOURCE EXTRACTION WITH VERY LITTLE VALUE ADDING BEING COMPLETED TO OUR PRODUCTS BEFORE EXPORTATION OCCURS. THE FAIRVIEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE IDENTIFIED THE FOLLOWING AREAS AS HIGH PRIORITIES; 1. COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING MARKETING AND MERCHANDISING OF OUR PRODUCTS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION AND EDUCATION FOR OUR RESIDENTS ADDING VALUE TO LOCALLY PRODUCED PRODUCTS LOCAL COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS DIVERSIFICATION OF RESIDENT INCOMES INVOLVEMENT IN STATEWIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY, BOARDS, AND ADVISORY COUNCILS TO PROMOTE FAIRVIEW AS A VIABLE PORTION OF EASTERN MONTANA AND NORTH DAKOTA. THIS CITY PLAN ADDRESSES THE BROAD BASE STRENGTHS AND INADEQUACIES OF THE AREA, SUGGESTING POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS AND ACTIONS THAT WILL PROVIDE MITIGATION OR ELIMINATION OF THE INADEQUACIES AND MAXIMIZE OUR STRENGTHS. THE STRENGTH OF THE FAIRVIEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AND THIS PLAN WILL BE MULTIPLIED MANY TIMES OVER THROUGH THE DEPTHS OF THE CHAMBER NETWORK AS OUR CORE GROUPS DEVELOP. THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THESE CORE GROUPS AND THE FAIRVIEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, FAIRVIEW RESIDENTS WILL REAP THE BENEFITS OF COORDINATION, COOPERATION AND COLLABORATION. MISSION STATEMENT MAINTAINING A VIABLE, SELF RELIANT COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS COMMUNITY SUPPORTED BY A SUSTAINABLE AND DIVERSIFIED ECONOMIC BASE, WITH AN ADEQUATE AND RELIABLE TAXABLE EVALUATION TO AFFORD THE PUBLIC SERVICES DECLARED ESSENTIAL BY THE COMMUNITIES CITIZENS. IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN FAIRVIEW, BOTH NORTH DAKOTA AND MONTANA, THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE AND COORDINATED EFFORT OF LOCAL CITIZENS; AND TO PROVIDE LOCAL DECISION MAKERS WITH THE TECHNICAL INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE AND THE NECESSARY ACCESS TO RESOURCES TO BETTER MANAGE, CONSERVE, PROTECT, AND UTILIZE THE CITY'S NATURAL AND HUMAN RESOURCES. INTRODUCTION AND SETTING LOCATION FAIRVIEW ENCOMPASSES AN APPROXIMATE AREA OF 1 SQUARE MILE. THE POPULATION DENSITY FOR OUR SURROUNDING AREA IS 5.1 PEOPLE PER ACRE. THE POPULATION OF THE NEAREST MONTANA CITY IS 5,217. (SIDNEY) THE POPULATION OF THE NEAREST NORTH DAKOTA CITY IS 13,336 .(WILLISTON). THE MEDIAN AGE FOR OUR AREA IS 33.0 YEARS. THE CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE IS 5.580, EMPLOYMENT IS 5,189, UNEMPLOYMENT'S 391 , YIELDING AN AVERAGE FOR MARCH 96 AT 7% UNEMPLOYMENT. THE AVERAGE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE , SAME MONTH- 95 WAS 6.8%.*{11} AVERAGE VACANCY IN OUR 4,825 HOUSING UNITS RUNS AROUND 869 OR AN AVERAGE PERCENTAGE OF 18%. AGRICULTURE FARMING AND RANCHING ARE THE MAJOR INCOME PRODUCING BUSINESS IN FAIRVIEW. RAINFALL AND COMMODITY PRICES HAVE THE MOST INFLUENCE ON THE PROFITABILITY OF THIS INDUSTRY. APPROXIMATELY 40% OF THE LAND AREA AROUND US IS USED FOR IRRIGATED CROP PRODUCTION, THE OTHER 60% IS DRY LAND FARM OR GRAZING. (SEE FIGURE 1 FOR COUNTY CATTLE FIGURES) SUGAR BEETS IN FAIRVIEW DISTRICT; 7500 ACRES CONTRACTED 168,000 TONS AVERAGE PER YEAR PRODUCED AVERAGE PRICE $42/TON SUGAR BEETS HAVE BEEN GROWN IN THE FAIRVIEW AREA SINCE THE MID 1920'S. ITS RICH FERTILE SOIL IS IDEAL FOR GROWING SUGAR BEETS. FAIRVIEW HAS BEEN A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF HOLLY SUGARS GROWTH OVER THE LAST 70 YEARS AND WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HOLLY SUGARS FUTURE GROWTH. SUGAR BEETS CONTRIBUTE OVER $7 MILLION TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY. FAIRVIEW CERTAINLY DESERVES THE TITLE OF SUGAR BEET CAPITOL OF MONTANA AND NORTH DAKOTA{2} THE PRODUCTION OF WHEAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THIS AREA. WHEAT PRODUCTION WAS APPROXIMATELY 2.8 MILLION BUSHELS. IN 1991, THAT FIGURE WAS 4.2 MILLION BUSHEL. THE AVERAGE PRICE PER BUSHEL IN 1980 WAS $4.14 AND BY 1991 DROPPED TO $2.30 PER BUSHEL.{1} THIS CAUSED A LARGE LOSS IN DOLLARS TO THE AREA, WHICH HAS BEEN OFFSET BY U.S.D.A. SUBSIDY PAYMENTS INTO THIS AREA. THE NUMBER OF FARMS HAS DECREASED BY NEARLY 100 IN THE LAST 10 YEARS IN THIS AREA. LOCAL BUSINESS HAVE NOTICED AN EFFECT DUE TO THIS FACT, LESS FARM INCOME MEANS FEWER PEOPLE SPENDING LESS MONEY. OIL INDUSTRY THE OIL INDUSTRY THRIVED DURING THE 1970'S AND EARLY 1980'S IN THE FAIRVIEW AREA. OIL ACTIVITY CREATED AN OPTIMISTIC ATTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE, LEADING TO THEIR BELIEF THAT THE OIL "BOOM" AND ITS REVENUES WOULD GO ON FOREVER. JOBS WERE HIGH PAYING AND MONEY FLOWED INTO THE LOCAL ECONOMY. THE "BUST" CAME IN THE EARLY 1980'S WHEN OIL PRICES DROPPED AND THOSE IN POWER DETERMINED MIDDLE EASTERN OIL WAS CHEAPER. OIL COMPANIES AND OIL FIELD EXPLORATION COMPANIES LEFT THE AREA OR WENT BANKRUPT. LOCAL BUSINESSES STRUGGLED FOR SURVIVAL, UNTIL BANKRUPTCY CLOSED MANY OF THEIR DOORS. OUR COMMUNITY LOST BUSINESSES AND MANY OF THOSE PRESENTLY IN OPERATION ARE STRUGGLING AND DOWN SIZING TO SUSTAIN THEIR BUSINESS. MANY EASTERN MONTANA RESIDENTS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT S PROMOTE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OIL AND GAS TRUST FUND, ALLOWING REDISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS ONLY TO CONTRIBUTING COMMUNITIES VIA A LOAN/GRANT PROGRAM. (SIMILAR TO THE COAL BOARD GRANT PROGRAM) GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND ASSISTANCE SINCE OUR AREA IS NOT HEAVILY DEPENDENT ON GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND FEDERAL/STATE ASSISTANCE, OTHER THAN AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS, EVEN LARGE CHANGES IN STATE AND FEDERAL BUDGETS HAVE LITTLE OR NO NEGATIVE EFFECT ON OUR ECONOMY. COMMUNITY SERVICES HOUSING THE PRICE OF HOMES IN OUR COMMUNITY HAS DROPPED APPROXIMATELY BY HALF THEIR VALUE SINCE THE "BOOM" DAYS WHEN THESE HOMES WERE BUILT OR BOUGHT. SOME HOMES HAVE BEEN SOLD FOR A LOSS AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN LEFT FOR THE BANK, FINANCE COMPANY OR COUNTY TO DEAL WITH. THE HOMES REMAINING VACANT ARE DETERIORATING DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE. PUBLIC SCHOOLS PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT SINCE THE MID 80'S HAS DECREASED. THIS SITUATION HAS GENERATED AN EMOTIONAL ISSUE ON SCHOOL CLOSURE AND SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION. MONTANA HOUSE BILL 667 REVISED THE SCHOOL FUNDING SYSTEM IN MONTANA. IT ALLOCATED STATE EDUCATION FUNDING TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS BASED STRICTLY ON A PER STUDENT BASIS, CURRENTLY $4500 FOR 7-12 STUDENTS , WITH NO WEIGHTS FOR INCREASED COSTS OF RURAL DISTRICTS. AS A RESULT, OVER 80% OF THIS ADDITIONAL FUNDING, APPROXIMATELY $32 MILLION GOES DIRECTLY TO THE LARGE URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS OUTSIDE OF OUR COMMUNITY. MOST OF THESE FUNDS WERE RAISED FROM THE RURAL AREAS IN MONTANA THROUGH A STATEWIDE MILL LEVY. UNLESS THIS LEGISLATION IS CHANGED, MANY RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS , INCLUDING FAIRVIEWS', WILL BE FINANCIALLY HURT AND MAY BE FORCED TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS. BASED ON THE MONTANA TESTING SERVICE EXAM, RURAL SCHOOLS IN SOME CASES SHOWED HIGHER TEST RESULTS DUE TO SMALLER CLASS SIZE AND MORE INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION.{3} FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL, THE EMPHASIS ON PREPARING STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE DOES NOT NECESSARILY BENEFIT STUDENTS WHO WISH TO ENTER THE WORLD OF WORK IMMEDIATELY. FURTHER, SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF THOSE LEAVING COLLEGE, WITH OR WITHOUT DEGREES, DO NOT FIND WORK IN THE FIELD FOR WHICH THEY WERE PREPARED. IN BOTH CASES, THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CONTACT WITH POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS TO MODIFY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND MAKE STUDENTS MORE EMPLOYABLE. NAFTA AND GATT THUS FAR, THERE HAVE BEEN NO IDENTIFIABLE BENEFITS TO FAIRVIEW FROM EITHER AGREEMENT. FAIRVIEW IS MUCH MORE EFFECTED BY THE LOW VALUE OF THE CANADIAN DOLLAR, WHICH GREATLY REDUCED WHAT HAD BEEN LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE ENTERING MONTANA AND NORTH DAKOTA TO SHOP. LOW CATTLE PRICES HAVE ALSO AFFECTED THE LEVEL ECONOMY. SEE FIGURE 1. HEALTH CARE HEALTH CARE IS A CONCERN IN OUR COMMUNITY DUE TO THE LACK OF EXTENDED CARE AND NURSING HOME FACILITIES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE A NURSING HOME AND EXTENDED CARE FACILITY IN OUR COUNTY, BUT NONE IN OUR COMMUNITY. BEDS IN AREA RETIREMENT HOMES AND NURSING HOMES ARE IN DEMAND, WITH PEOPLE WAITING FOR A VACANCY. AS THE PRESENT POPULATION AGES, THERE WILL BE AN INCREASED NEED FOR THESE FACILITIES, ESPECIALLY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, SO PEOPLE CAN STAY NEAR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND NEIGHBORS. ECONOMIC/COMMUNITY/BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE ENTREPRENEURS/SMALL BUSINESS PERSONS AND OUR COMMUNITY LACK THE NECESSARY FINANCIAL, TECHNICAL, AND PROJECT ASSISTANCE REQUIRED IT INVESTIGATE POSSIBILITIES AND IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO BEGIN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES. THERE IS LITTLE ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR SMALL BUSINESS PERSONS TO EXPAND, IMPROVE, AND RETAIN EXISTING BUSINESS. MONTANA STATE LEGISLATURE THE LOCATION OF MONTANA'S CAPITOL, STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND STATE LEGISLATURE IN HELENA PLACE THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY IN "POLITICAL ISOLATION". ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE LACK OF REPRESENTATION DUE TO LOW POPULATION FIGURE AT OUR END OF THE STATE. THE TIME, DISTANCE, AND COST TO TRAVEL TO HELENA TO LOBBY LIMITS MANY GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS. FAIRVIEW RESIDENTS ARE LESS INFORMED OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY IN HELENA. NEWS COVERAGE THAT REACHES US ABOUT LEGISLATIVE ISSUES IS CONDENSED. MONTANA NEWS COVERAGE IS ALSO LIMITED TO PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE CABLE TELEVISION AND/OR REGIONAL PAPER OUT OF BILLINGS. HOWEVER, MOST OF THE TAX DOLLARS TO FINANCE THE STATE COME FROM THE NATURAL RESOURCES EXTRACTED IN OUR AREA. TAX STRUCTURE FOR BUSINESS PROPERTY TAX AND CONTINUING PROBLEMS WITH THE MONTANA WORKERS COMP FUND HAVE BEEN AN IMPEDIMENT TO BUSINESSES. THERE ARE FEW PROGRAMS TO ATTRACT OUT OF STATE FIRMS TO THE STATE AND SOME BUSINESSES HAVE LEFT THE AREA FOR OTHER STATES WITH A MORE FAVORABLE TAX STRUCTURE. LACK OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES THE LOSS OF HIGHER PAYING JOBS AND INCREASE IN LOW PAYING SERVICE JOBS CREATES PROBLEMS FOR THOSE TRYING TO EARN ENOUGH TO LIVE AND RAISE FAMILIES. WHILE A LOT OF PEOPLE ATTEMPT SELF EMPLOYMENT, SUCH EARNINGS ALSO TEND TO BE LOW AS NO BENEFITS ARE PROVIDED, SO SELF EMPLOYED PEOPLE MUST MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO EVENTUALLY GENERATE THEIR OWN HEALTH AND RETIREMENT PROGRAMS. CULTURAL RECREATIONAL AND HISTORICAL ASSETS COUNTY MUSEUM- MONDAK HERITAGE CENTER CONFLUENCE PICNIC AREA AND BOAT RAMP SUNDHEIM PARK WITH BOAT RAMP PADDLE FISHING IN THE YELLOWSTONE OUR AREA INCLUDES; THREE FORTS 1) UNION-RESTORED 2) BUFORD-RESTORED 3) GILBERT-SITE ONLY TWO UNIQUE AND HISTORIC BRIDGES-SITE THE ONLY RAIL TUNNEL IN NORTH DAKOTA-SITE MON-DAK OUTLAW TOWN-SITE NOTE SITE ONLY POSSIBILITIES FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF HISTORICAL SITES PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROBLEMS MARKETING AND MERCHANDISING OF OUR PRODUCTS AND COMMUNITY. INFORMATION AND EDUCATION FOR OUR RESIDENTS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXPANSION DEVELOPMENT AND THE MARKETING OF QUALITY OF LIFE TO COMPUTER HOME BASED BUSINESS WITHIN THE AREA. . COMMUNITY MEMBERS WANT JOB DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT SMOKESTACKS OR TOURIST TRAP DEVELOPMENT. COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEV OPPORTUNITY AND SOLUTIONS THE FEDC SECURED FUNDING TO AID THE CHAMBER IN MARKETING FAIRVIEW. THE FEDC PARTICIPATED IN SECURING FUNDING FOR THE LIBRARY TO UPGRADE THE COMPUTER ACCESS IN THE COUNTY. THE FEDC IS WORKING WITH THE CITY TO UPGRADE COMPUTER INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE CITY. THE FEDC HAS A COMMITMENT TO REPRESENTATION ON AREA AND STATEWIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY, BOARDS, AND ADVISORY COUNCILS WHERE OPPORTUNITIES ARISE. FOR EXAMPLE, FEDC MEMBERS SERVE ON THE MISSOURI RIVER TOURISM BOARD, THE REGIONAL AND STATE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AND THE REGIONAL AND STATE RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT BOARDS. WE ALSO ATTEND ANNUAL MEETINGS OF THE REGIONAL SBA AND RCEDC. COMMUNITY LONG TERM PLANNING. . GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND ACTION ITEMS GOAL A. INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OBJECTIVE A .1. PROMOTE FAIRVIEW *ACTION--NEWS ARTICLES AND PRESENTATIONS *ACTION--HELP WITH GRANT FOR CHAMBER PROMO OBJECTIVE A . 2. PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO RESIDENTS *ACTION--DEVELOP CAPACITY BUILDING LIBRARY *ACTION--GRANTS FOR CHILDREN'S COMPUTER ACCESS *ACTION--INSERT LOCAL BUSINESS CLASSES IN CHAMBER NEWSLETTER OBJECTIVE A. 3. PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING, AND FOR, CITY, COUNTY, STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES. *ACTION--DISTRIBUTE INFORMATION AS NECESSARY BY CHAMBER NEWSLETTER, EMAIL, PHONE AND FAX. *ACTION--EDUCATE RESIDENTS ON LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. *ACTION--PROMOTE LEGISLATIVE AWARENESS. GOAL B. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, RETENTION, AND EXPANSION. OBJECTIVE B. 1. DEVELOP NEW AND ENHANCE EXISTING BUSINESSES *ACTION--IDENTIFY, PUBLICIZE AND UTILIZE EXISTING AND NEW PROGRAMS. a. MICRO BUSINESS REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM b. SMALL BUSINESS DEV CENTER c. EPRCD d. REDC *ACTION--COMMERCIAL KITCHEN INCUBATOR *ACTION--UPDATE AND STREAMLINE COMMERCIAL BUILDING INSPECTION PROCEDURE OBJECTIVE B. 2. PROMOTE PROJECTS TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE. *ACTION--CONSERVE INTEGRITY OF EXISTING COMMUNITY(ABOVE ALL DO NO HARM!) *ACTION--REMOVE UNSAFE, UNUSABLE BUILDINGS TO ENHANCE FAIRVIEW IMAGE *ACTION--DEVELOP EXISTING HISTORICAL RESOURCES a)Fairview Bridge b)Mondak c)Snowden Bridge d)Cartwright Tunnel OBJECTIVE B. 3. PROMOTE PROJECTS TO ENCOURAGE RETIRED PEOPLE TO MOVE TO AND REMAIN IN FAIRVIEW. *ACTION--COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FOR AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY IN FAIRVIEW. GOAL C. NETWORK OF CORE GROUPS IN FAIRVIEW. OBJECTIVE C. 1. INVOLVEMENT IN STATE WIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANS. *ACTION--PARTICIPATION IN; a. MISSOURI RIVER TOURISM b. STATE AND REGIONAL RC &D c. STATE AND REGIONAL SBDC d. REDC ANNUAL MEETINGS COMPLETED ACTION ITEMS; *ACTION-- INITIAL OEDP COMPLETED (6/2/94) *ACTION--HELP WITH GRANT FOR NEW BILLBOARD (COMPLETED 4/6/95) *ACTION--HELP WITH GRANTS FOR BROCHURE (COMPLETED 9/15/95) *ACTION--GRANT PAPERWORK ON DISK(COMPLETED 3 /1/96) *ACTION-- ENCOURAGED SENIOR NEWS ADS (COMPLETED 3/1/96) *ACTION--HELP WITH GAZEBO GRANTS (COMPLETED 4/10/96) *ACTION--HELP WITH GRANTS FOR RADIO STATION IN FAIRVIEW. COMPLETED (4/23/96) *ACTION--PROMOTE LEGISLATIVE AWARENESS.(CLASS @ JUNE 96 CHAMBER MEETING) *ACTION--HELP WITH GRANT FOR GIANT SUGAR BEET (JULY 96) *ACTION--PROMOTE LEGISLATIVE AWARENESS. (FORUMS -NOV 96) *ACTION--DEVELOP EXISTING HISTORICAL RESOURCES a)Fairview Bridge d)Cartwright Tunnel (HISTORICAL DESIGNATION JAN 97) BIBLIOGRAPHY {1} ROUGHRIDER GRAIN, SOUTH OF FAIRVIEW. 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