Bitterroot Valley
Chamber of Commerce 105 East Main - Hamilton MT 406-363-2400 fax 406-363-2402
Bitterroot Business News “Your Chamber - doing the things most people think just happens!” QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER - OCTOBER 2012
Pink in October?
Everywhere you look - you will see pink, not normally your October colors, but Ravalli County is showing its support for the ‘Sprinkle Pink’ campaign. October is breast cancer awareness month and there have been events going on up and down the valley to raise awareness for breast cancer. All monetary donations to the Aid for Mammography fund during the Sprinkle Pink campaign, are matched dollar for dollar by Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital. The Aid for Mammography fund was started years ago and provides Ravalli County women in need with the resources to get annual mammograms and other necessary procedures based on diagnosis at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital.
Fall Photos . . . Fall is in the air and the smoke is gone! The Valley had over 50 days without rain, which set a record. Cool, crisp air, snow on the mountain tops and beautiful fall colors, dominate the scene these days. Patrick Chaplin, who’s photographs are shown on the left, gives us a glimpse of Fall In The Bitterroot. Patrick’s photos have been used in numerous Chamber’s publications. Thank you Patrick for sharing . . . INSIDE THIS ISSUE Leadership Bitterroot New Website Letter from our Director Committee Updates Chamber Choices Newest Members Directory & Ballots Ribbon Cuttings Chamber Board Calendar of Events Letter from our President STAFF Al Mitchell - Acting Director Pat Easley - Office Manager
2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 7 7 8
2013 Leadership Bitterroot Class
This year’s Leadership Bitterroot Class: BLAINE, NATE - Farmers State Bank DILLON, JEFF - JD Construction GARDNER, DON - Rocky Mountain Lab GREEN, ANNA - Bitterroot Youth Homes HOLTON, STEVE - RC Sheriff’s Office KEARNEY, SOMER - Farmers State Bank MANZELLA, THERESA - Willing Servants/TNT Paints MESSERSCHMIDT, KODY - BR National Forest MIESSNER, RITA - R&R Conner PATRICK, RYAN - BR National Forest POTTER, DAVE - RC Sheriff’s Office PROVENCE, DON - Northwestern Energy RAVENSCROFT, OLIN - Edward Jones SHAY, BRIAN - Trapper Creek Job Corps WEIGLE, ASHLEY - Rocky Mountain Bank WRIGHT, MAGGIE - Bitterroot Job Service Also pictured: Greg Carter, Leadership Chair, Al Mitchell, Director of Bitterroot Valley Chamber, Tara Boulanger, President of the 2012 Leadership Bitterroot Class, and Pat Easley, Leadership Coordinator. Not pictured: Steve Holton, Dave Potter and Ryan Patrick.
Chamber’s New Website . . . In an effort to better serve our valued members, the Chamber understands the importance of having a centralized business resource
for our residence and our valued tourist visitors to reference. One common source of Bitterroot Valley news, information, business referral, promotions and quick answers. We hope to build renewed trust and credibility with our members while we promote the Bitterroot Valley to our local population and to the world. A complete information resource with links to everything the Bitterroot Valley has to offer. The new website will include; 1. Come discover the Bitterroot Valley with a focus on the attributes of each community and their businesses. 2. How to get here with plug-ins to Mapquest and other navigation tools. 3. Living here…..schools, housing, utilities, real time weather and travel conditions 4. Extremely strong photo content and links to YouTube video of valley activities. 5. Places to stay and eat categories, by community, with links to websites. 6. Things to do. A complete list that features our members and their businesses. 7. New business services directory that will be easy to use and refer customers to our members. 8. Events page and community calendars. 9. Complete Chamber information page that will be current and reliable. 10. A member log-in, on site, for each member to check our analytics sections to see the benefit of your membership…..how many people are going to your business website or other directories linking them to your business. A critical tool in this day and age. 11. A complete availability of Banner Ad Space for you to advertise your business on the Chamber website. Again, the success of your business depends on customers finding you when they need your services. The Chamber site will be the new yellow pages at a fraction of the price and you get to choose how you are seen! 12. An additional value of having an active Facebook page for customers and visitors alike to see your links and current news. When we all share Chamber news and events on our Facebook pages we all benefit from the mass exposure that Facebook provides. We are serious about our new Mission Statement: We are dediProfessional Investment Advice cated to representing each and every one of our members while Serving the Bitterroot Valley since 1981 amplifying the collective voice of business in an effort to advocate 363-0266 [ fax: 363-0241 [ 1711 North First [ Hamilton economic vitality, quality of life and the preservation of the competitive enterprise system. “OUR BUSINESS IS YOUR BUSINESS”. We look forward to meeting you, answering your questions and building a strong and involved community member base while earning your valued membership! Jim Moerkerke, CFP®, CWS® John Passuccio, CWS® With respect, admiration and to your business health – The Bitterroot Chamber Board of Directors PAGE 2
Senior Vice President, Financial Consultant
Financial Consultant
Letter from our Director . . . Al Mitchell
Greetings! It’s hard to believe that six months have passed since I became your Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce director. The summer flew by with another very successful Microbrew Festival. Many thanks to Justine Morris, Cassie Romano and the many volunteers who helped out on this event. The season also saw over seven thousand visitors stopping by our Lost Trail Pass Visitor Information Center. The Board, and Pat Easley, our office manager, kept busy with these events as well as the Ravalli County Fair Parade, Leadership Bitterroot class, the ABC Clinic, and most recently our political candidate forums. Your Chamber keeps in constant motion with all of its different committee meetings – AgriBusiness, Leads, Ambassadors and Tourism/Marketing to name a few. Also, Tournaments start this month at Hamilton High School. The Chamber will be actively participating in hosting the Southwest A Divisional Volleyball Tournament, as well as, boys and girls basketball tournaments for the A, B, and C Divisions during December and February. We need your help in hosting these tournaments as they bring necessary dollars to the valley during a slow time of the year. If you would like to help out by purchasing an ad for your business in the programs, please call the Chamber at 363-2400 and ask for Al. Once again, let me voice my appreciation for your trust in guiding this organization. I can guarantee you that your Officers, Staff and Board of Directors are working diligently on your behalf. If you have any questions or concerns please call. Remember, this is Your Chamber Working For You. Thank you!
Committee Updates . . . Ambassadors Committee - Donna Larson/Shulund & Rosie Huckstadt, co-chairs The Ambassadors had a great turn out for our Annual Membership BBQ, held this year in Darby. Even though we had smoke in the Valley, we managed to pick a day when it was sunny and bright. Since we resumed our meetings in September, things have been very busy with numerous Ribbon Cuttings and our Chamber Membership Drive. We will also be getting ready for our Chamber Banquet to be held in March of 2013. The Ambassadors are always looking for members, so if you would like to belong to a fun, energetic group, please contact Donna at 363-6668 or Rosie at 821-4076. Tourism/Marketing Committee - Justine Morris, Chair The Tourism and Marketing Committee will host their first meeting on Thursday, October 25 at 10 am at the Chamber office. Justine Morris will head this committee and plans to make it a working committee as well as limit the length of the meetings. If you would like to become part of this committee, please contact the Chamber for more information. Leads Committee - Dale Hanson, Chair Dale Hanson of Western States Insurance, has taken over for Ray Tipton of Big Sky Builders, as chair of the Leads Group. Ray has taken Leads to an informative, working and productive group. His insight and enthusiasm for the past year has been inspiring to say the least. We are all looking forward to Dale’s leadership and continued direction. If you are interested in joining this energetic group, please contact the Chamber at 363-2400 or give Dale a call at 363-3543. The group meets every second and fourth Tuesdays.
Agri-Business Committee - Deb Harrison, Chair Hello from the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce, AgriBusiness Committee. Once again, we were successful with the 2012 Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award. Lakeland Feed and Supply was nominated by our committee as a standout business in our community and proudly chosen as one of the seven regional finalists in Washington, D.C. The Bitterroot Valley, Montana and the entire Northwest Region are proud to have had Lakeland Feed and Supply representing us. As stated on the US Chamber site, “These seven finalists represent the best in American business”. Please go to the following link and read about America’s Small Business Summit and view Lakeland’s video. http://www.uschambersummit.com/2012awardwinners. Again, congratulations to Mike and Crew, you represented the Northwestern Region and the Bitterroot Valley proudly. Our committee had a table at the 2012 Apple Days. We honored the last three years’ winners of the Dream Big Award. 2010-Huls Dairy-Blue Ribbon Winner, 2011- R & R Conner, Inc., Northwest Regional Finalist and 2012-Lakeland Feed and Supply, Northwest Regional Finalist. A great day was had by all and many people stopped by to visit us. In June of 2012, the Agri-Business Committee took part in the Montana State University, Western Agriculture Research Center’s Field day. We assisted with the bar-b-que and a great time was had by all..with approximately 200 people in attendance. The committee is working on recruiting new members to our committee. If you would like to become involved with our Agri-Business Committee, please contact Deb Harrison for more information at debaharrison@msn.com. The committee voted this year to not have the Ravalli County Farm Tour that we were sponsoring. We felt that with the smoke and several non-commitments, that it was best we hold off until next fall.
PAGE 3
Health Insurance 2013 Montana Chamber Choices Health Insurance Program Renewal 2013
Montana Chamber Choices, our association health insurance and wellness program, recently wrapped up our renewal for the 2013 plan year. We are excited to share with you that the average renewal rate will only be a 5.9% increase. Granted, some employers may see an increase larger than that. However, some employers on our program could actually see a DECREASE over last year! The hallmark for Montana Chamber Choices over the last nine years has been being able to offer stable rates to Montana businesses. The average rate increase over the last nine years is around 8%, beating trend and a lot of other programs. For the 2013 plan year there will be some small changes. For example, in and out of network co-insurances will replace the current out of network arrangement. This means that if you go in network you pay the standard co-insurance for whatever plan you are on. If you happen to go out of network, you pay 10% more in your co-insurance than you would in network. Another notable change for 2013 is a new drug card option for two of the Health First options. You may choose either a Full Card or a Pass-Through Card – with the pass-through card you could save up to 6% on premium. One of the big increases this plan year is the expansion of Women’s Preventive Services. The Affordable Care Act requires all these preventive services to be covered 100%. Starting in January, these additional services will be included: well woman visit, screening for gestational diabetes, Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, counseling for sexually transmitted infections, screening and counseling for HIV, contraceptive methods and counseling, breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling, and screening and counseling for interpersonal and domestic violence. Life and business are more than health insurance or health care, that’s why we provide added member benefits. Those benefits include: • $5,000 Life Insurance and $5,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment • Optional Voluntary Life Insurance buy-up • Annual Vision Service Plan (VSP) Vision Exam with $10 co-pay • $100 Annual Preventive Dental Exam* • 24/7 Employee Assistance Program (EAP) • Online Advanced Directive and Will Preparation services • Identity Theft Protection Resources • Healthy Wonders Maternity Management Program *note this benefit is excluded from the CMM HSA 50/50 plan Montana Chamber Choices provides high quality, affordable insurance coverage to over 1,000 Montana employers. This year we will continue to provide Montana businesses with information on healthcare reform and wellness services to continue to keep Montanans healthy. Please contact me or your/an insurance agent for more info about Chamber Choices. Or go to www.ChamberChoices.com. We are proud to offer an affordable, quality benefit for our members in these trying times.
Ravalli Electric Co-op 228 Main Street - PO Box 978 Hamilton MT 59840
Phone (406) 363-5480 Corvallis, MT - (406) 961-3001 - wwww.ravallielectric.com A Touchstone Energy Partner
PAGE 4
OFFICE SUPPLIES OFFICE FURNITURE ART SUPPLIES
OFFICE MACHINES QUICK COPY SERVICE DRAFTING SUPPLIES
Newest Chamber Members
BITTERROOT TOOL REPAIR 1345 US Hwy 93 North #1 - Victor (406) 961-8899 - bitterroottoolrepair@hotmail.com Loren Collins & Timothy Wiediger - Owners
A TASTE OF PARIS 109 North Fourth Street #106 - Hamilton (406) 369-5875 - tasteofparis@earthlink.net Laurence & Terry Markarian - Owners
COSTANZA ARTISAN GALLERY 214 West Main Street - Hamilton (406) 375-5181 - costanzagallery@gmail.com Leanna Costanza - Owner
A TO Z STORAGE 1130 South First Street - Hamilton (406) 363-5727 Louise Zacha - Owner
CUSTOM SHOP 169 South Second Street - Hamilton (406) 375-5126 - customshopllc.com http://www.customshopllc.com Louis & Theresa Tuminaro - Owners
BECK BUILDERS, INC 321 Blodgett Way - Hamilton (406) 363-3389 - paul@beckbuilt.net http://www.beckbuilt.net Paul Beck - Owner
MOUNTAIN SPIRIT INN 308 South Main Steet - Darby (406) 821-3405 - info@mountainspiritinn.com http://www.mountainspiritinn.com Jerry & Adele Dicken - Owners
BITTERROOT CONCIERGE SERVICES, LLC 985 South Shoshone Loop - Hamilton (208) 699-6872 - shawn@bitterrootconcierge.com http://www.bitterrootconcierge.com Shawn & Nicole - Owners
Welcome
Chamber Directory Information & Ballots Coming soon in the mail - you will be receiving your verification form as well as your ballots for the upcoming Chamber Board Elections. The verification form will list all of your current business information, which will be used in our Chamber Business Directory. This publication will be printed in January of 2013, so please make sure you check ALL of the information listed on the form. If
you have any corrections to make, call, email or fax the form back so the changes can be made. You will also be receiving a Board of Directors Election Ballot. This ballot will be candidates who would like to serve on your Chamber Board of Directors. It will have their picture as well as a short biography about themselves. It is up to you as members, to vote for 6 candidates, that you would like to represent you on the Chamber Board of Directors.
BITTERROOT VALLEY STATISTICS
Relocation Inquiries July Aug. Sept. 2011 23 35 53 2012 44 38 12
Chamber Walk-Ins
2011 2012
July 323 622
Aug. 311 700
Sept. 549 343
Chamber Calls
2011 2012
July 466 473
Aug. 492 478
Sept. 425 318
Check Out Our New Web Site - Coming Soon! www.bitterrootvalleychamber.com
Tourism Inquiries July Aug. Sept. 2011 2012
75 355
160 313
548 168
Referrals July Aug.
Sept.
2011 2012
353 173
145 232
165 262
Page 5
Ribbon Cuttings
BITTERROOT CHIROPRACTIC 514 North First Street - HAMILTON
GUILD MORTGAGE CO. 1659 North First Street #19 - HAMILTON
BITTERROOT TOOL REPAIR 1345 US Hwy 93 North #1 - VICTOR
BELLA SOLE & BOUTIQUE 200 West Main St - HAMILTON COSTANZA ARTISAN GALLERY 214 West Main Street HAMILTON
CUSTOM SHOP 169 South Second Street - HAMILTON
BIG CREEK COFFEE ROASTERS 301 West Main HAMILTON
A TASTE OF PARIS 109 North Fourth Street #106 HAMILTON
PAGE 6
HAMILTON DOWNTOWN ASSOC.
DRISCOLL REALTY LLP 109 North 4th #101 - HAMILTON
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: President - John Stevens Caffe’ Firenze Past President - Dr. Dirk Beyer Big Sky Eye Care Clinic President Elect - Jeff Fuller Rocky Mountain Bank Treasurer - Sherri Williams First American Title Chad Bauer - Bitter Root Disposal Robin Conner, R&R Conner Aviation Ken Schultz - Hidden Legend Winery Greg Carter - Greg Carter Inc. Bill Bean, Fishaus Fly Fishing Justine Morris - Ravalli Republic Rosie Huckstadt - Old West Gallery, Gift & Antiques
One Year Term Jay Joyner - Merc Fresh Market
Chamber Meetings
AGRI-BUSINESS meets the 1st Thursday of every month at 10 a.m. at the Chamber office except for July AMBASSADORS meet 1st Wednesday of every month at 12-noon except for July and August. Call for location.
CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS meets 3rd Tuesday of every month at 5 pm. LEADS meets 2nd and 4th Tuesday's of every month at 12-noon. Call for meeting place. TOURISM/MARKETING meets 3rd Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m., except July, August and December. Call Chamber for meeting place. Civic Club Schedules CORVALLIS CIVIC CLUB meets 3rd Monday of every month at 7:30 pm at the Corvallis High School lunchroom. Tonia Bloom 363-3485. SOUTH VALLEY CIVIC GROUP meets the 4th Thursday of every month at 6:30 at the Darby Library. Al Milton 821-3226. FLORENCE CIVIC CLUB meets 1st Monday of every month at 7 pm at School Administrative Building in Florence. STEVENSVILLE CIVIC CLUB meets 2nd Thursday of every month at 12-noon at St. Mary's Mission Visitor Center. Desera Towle 360-7002. Regular Luncheon Meetings KIWANIS - Wednesdays at 12-noon at BJ’S Restaurant LIONS - Tuesdays at 12-noon at BJ’s Restaurant ROTARY - Mondays at 12-noon at BJ’s Restaurant SOROPTIMISTS - Thursdays at 12-noon at BJ’s Restaurant
Calendar of Events
OCTOBER October 25 Haunted Swamp at BR Aquatic Cntr. 7-9 pm October 26 Haunted Mansion Party and Sleepover at Daly Mansion. 363-6004. October 26-27 Lost Trail Ski Swap at Hamilton Armory 5:30 to 8:00 October 27 Eagles Halloween Party at Eagles Lodge. 1 p.m. October 27 Ghost Moon Walk at Lake Como. Call 363-7100. October 31 Halloween Parade downtown Hamilton. 375-1900. October 31 Halloween Party at 1st Interstate Center. 363-3431 NOVEMBER
November 2-4 Holly Jolly Craft Show at the Daly Mansion. 363-6004 November 3 St. Mary’s Annual Parish Bazaar in the Family Cntr. 642-3271 November 10 Hamilton Players presents Diva Pageant at Hamilton Playhouse. 375-9050 November 11 Veterans Day Celebration at RC Museum. 363-3338 November 16-18 Bitterroot Art Guild Holiday Show at 1st Interstate Center. 363-3411 November 18 Habitat for Humanity will host a fundraising Pint Night Sunday, Nov. 18 from 3-6 at BR Brewery - Call Mike Kibler 375-1926 November 23 Hamilton Christmas Kickoff - lighting of the tree. Call 375-1900. November 30-December 2 Sports Connection Gun Show at Fairgrounds - 363-3411. DECEMBER December 1 4th Annual Cookie Walk & Bake Sale at Human Resource Bldg., 316 N 3rd Street. 10:00-2:00. December 3 Annual Victor Chocoloate Tasting Event held at the Victor Heritage Museum. December 3 Darby Holiday Market & Christmas Bazaar December 5 SAFE Silver Tea at aly Mansion 363-2793 December 7-8 Mt. Country Chrismas in Stevensville. 777-3773 December 20 Opening of Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic & Medicine Exhibit at the RC Museum. Call 363-3338.
PAGE 7
Letter from our President . . . John Stevens
The residents of the Bitterroot Valley have a uniquely American Spirit, a Montana Spirit! Your Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce staff, volunteers, ambassadors and board of directors embody this spirit, and are to be commended. The pioneer ethic of hard work and genuine friendship still fills our vibrant valley. Autumn in a very special way can stir feelings like no other season. The panoramic transformation of autumn colors is most notable, but the crisp autumn temperatures and pungent aromas seem to embrace the season and get people thinking about big changes soon to come. This too is the time of year where business people begin the preparation process for the coming year, in large part based on their current year performance. Your Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce understands the importance of attracting and retaining businesses, with the objective being to create an environment for business stability and entrepreneurial growth. As you may recall in the March 2012 Newsletter, diligent collaborative effort on the part of the Chamber staff of employees and elected board of directors, was required to ensure undivided focus to be placed on the needs of our members as they relate to our Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce, spanning all communities within the Bitterroot Valley. Members needed assurances their hard earned dollars spent on Chamber dues, etc. were in turn spent wisely. Thanks to unwavering hard work and a unified cooperative effort, your hard earned dollars spent on Chamber dues have been spent wisely, and as a result your Chamber is now achieving month over month budget expectations – congratulations to all involved!
The Bitterroot Valley Board of Directors and Staff, would like to thank you for your support during this past year. Remember all that we have to be thankful for during the upcoming holidays. Most of all our family, friends and acquaintances who bring us peace of mind and love. Have a Wonderful and Blessed Holiday Season
PAGE 8
The budgeting process for 2013 has begun and the search for new board members is underway. The 2013 Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce budget will be finalized by no later than the end of December and approved by the elected board of directors in our January meeting. Following the leadership of executive director, Al Mitchell and goals set forth by incoming board president, Jeff Fuller and all other elected board members, your Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce will continue to listen, learn, change and prosper for the good of all communities and respective members. Your input and feedback are invaluable, so please take the time to stay involved, speak your mind, and support your Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. Best wishes for a strong close to 2012! Respectfully, John Stevens President, Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce