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Covering the Bitterroot Valley – “Where Montana Begins!” – Established 1985 – Locally Owned & Independent
‘The Volume XXXVI, Number 50
’ ! l a c o L t a t s e B
Creamery Picnic Social July 7 • 5:30 pm At the American Legion 754 Middle Burnt Fork Pulled pork and drinks provided Bring a dish if you can! Volunteers needed for Creamery!
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
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A Bitterroot welcome for pharmaceutical firm Another spoke in the bio-tech hub developing in Hamilton by Michael Howell Dr. Seth Lederman, CEO of Tonix, a pharmaceutical production company that is building a production facility in Hamilton, was given a Bitterroot welcome last week at a greeting ceremony sponsored by the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority (RCEDA). RCEDA Director Julie Foster gathered up representatives of all the key partners that have participated in making this move by Tonix possible for a question and answer session about the new development. Tonix is an eleven-year-old vaccine research and development company that currently employs 30 people at its facility in Massachusetts, but according to Lederman, the operation is growing rapidly and they expect to be hiring an additional 40 employees by next November. They also plan on hiring some employees for the planned facility in Hamilton
Dr. Seth Lederman, CEO of Tonix Pharmaceuticals, at the future site of a new facility in Hamilton. Lederman was in the valley last week to meet with local officials regarding the development. Photo by Michael Howell.
almost immediately and ramp it up as time goes by. Work on the Hamilton production facility itself has been waiting on the finalization of the City of Hamilton’s agreement to extend water and sewer to the facility which is located in the county just south of the RCEDA building on Old Corvallis Road. The land was sold to the company by the Bitterroot Stock Farm and sits in a relatively newly established Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD) that allows for tax increment financing for infrastructure development. Lederman explained that Tonix was a vaccine production company that has developed a novel production platform for making vaccines in general. Right now, he said, they are really focused on production of Covid-19 related vaccines, but the platform that they are using can be used in production of other vaccines as well for both infectious and noninfectious diseases. “We are in it for the long term,” said Lederman. “and it is not just about Covid. Even after the pandemic, we expect Covid to become endemic, meaning this is going to be around in humanity probably as long as humanity is on earth.” He also said “this won’t be the last pandemic or the last virus that we need to address. This is not the time to become See TONIX, page 11
Allen appointed Hamilton Downtown Association to Stevi council ready for post-pandemic engagement by Victoria Howell On June 28th, the Stevensville Town Council of two unanimously approved the appointment of Sydney Allen to fill the Ward 1 vacancy created by the resignation of Patrick Shourd. Allen was the only applicant. She had previously applied when Robin Holcomb resigned last December, but Paul Ludington was chosen at that time. So it was Ludington and Jaime Devlin who made the decision this time. Allen was immediately sworn in and took a seat at the table. The council also considered the Ward 2 vacancy created by the resignation of Dempsey Vick. There were two applicants, former mayor Jim Crews (who also previously served on the council), and Sue Devlin, the mother of council member Jaime Devlin. Jaime Devlin excused herself and left the room for the deliberation.
Ludington said that he didn’t think either applicant was a viable candidate. He said to appoint Devlin would be inappropriate and added, “There isn’t anything on the planet that would allow me to appoint Mr. Crews.” Later he said that he didn’t believe that Crews had anything to offer “other than obstruction.” The council of two (Ludington and Allen) voted unanimously to re-advertise the position for an additional two weeks. With Devlin back in the room, the council of three voted unanimously, on the advice of the Town’s attorney, to hire an investigator at $200 per hour to look into the matter of the mayor’s claim for legal fees incurred from his case against Leanna Rodabaugh during last year’s recall attempt. The Town originally paid the claim but the mayor subsequently paid the money back to the Town.
Sydney Allen is sworn in by Mayor Brandon Dewey to represent Ward 1 on the Stevensivlle Town Council. She is filling the position of Patrick Shourd who resigned for personal reasons. Photo by Victoria Howell.
Have a Safe & Fun 4th of July!
Liquor • Beer • Craft Beer Wine • Kegs • Champagne • Cigars E-Cigs & Flavors • Mixers • Ice
by Nathan Boddy
nice place to live.” While there is little doubt Montana native, that the Covid-19 pandemic Erin Steuer, is ready had impact upon business to see Hamilton and nationwide, the HDA is the surrounding area taking it in stride with as it emerges into a plans to capitalize on those post pandemic vigor. things that make Hamilton, The new Executive and the Bitterroot Valley a Director of the unique area. She says that Hamilton Downtown the most immediate goal for Association has only her and HDA membership recently taken the will be to, “Figure out (how) reins at HDA, but is no the Association can pool its stranger to Hamilton resources to support and or the Bitterroot bolster the activities and Valley. For nearly businesses that our members two years, she has run, and put their blood served as the Director sweat and tears into.” Steuer of Evergreen Kids also emphasizes that, a Corner in Hamilton, a return to normalcy will also Preschool that serves mean catching up on things Hamilton and the that may have changed since surrounding area. the onset of the pandemic. With her new position “In some ways we all as the Executive took a little hiatus during Director at the HDA, Covid. We are coming back she’ll be at the helm of into the community as a two area non-profits. reinvigorated enterprise Steuer mentions as well, and so we’re trying that both are, to figure out our new “stalwart community normal alongside all our organizations,” and members and business. The Erin Steuer, new Executive Director of the Hamilton Downtown Association. that she feels humbled Photo by Nathan Boddy. things that benefitted our to have both positions. businesses in the past may As an Executive have changed, so we’re going downtown based, and that membership Director, it will be Steuer’s goal to should be, “mutually beneficial” to all its to change right along with it.” “take the organization in a direction A first big challenge for Steuer will members. that collectively brings the members Following completion of her graduate be Daly Days on July on 30-31st. The together to try and reach a common event was cancelled last year, and degree from the University of Montana, goal.” Those goals, while defined therefore requires a bit more energy to Steuer moved to her husband’s by the diverse membership of the bring it back into the public awareness. hometown of Corvallis where they are Hamilton Downtown Association, Says Steuer, “Our challenge is reaching raising their son, Corvin. Originally need to include a community wide out to our venders and our community from Billings, she is happy to have approach. Says Steuer, “It’s not just an to let them know that we’re ready to made the transition further west. association for businesses. It really is come back and and have some fun. “There is a lot of opportunity here, a community effort, and a community Nonetheless, the new Executive Director with a community full of creative and based organization that helps downtown innovative people from all backgrounds says that she is, “really happy to be thrive.” The new Executive Director here and I’m really looking forward and walks of life,” says Steuer. “The is quick to mention that, not all the to meeting with our business and our diversity and enterprise that we can members of the Association are members.” bring into downtown makes it a really
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