News

Federal Grant Would Fund Study on Bitterroot Resort – Maclay Ski Area Plan – Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation

A Missoula nonprofit wants federal funds to study the economic effects of the proposed Bitterroot Resort.

The Missoula Area Economic Development Corp. http://maedc.org/ is seeking $25,000 from the Office of Rural Development in the U.S. Department of Agriculture to look into the short-and long-term impacts of a major ski resort near Missoula said MAEDC president Dick King. MAEDC has no position on the proposal, King said.

By: Robert Struckman of the Missoulian

“We would be remiss in our role if we didn’t seriously take a look at what it means economically,” King said.

The study would be conducted by economist Larry Swanson of the University of Montana’s O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West http://crmw.org/ .

The Bitterroot Resort http://www.skibitterrootresort.com/ is a proposed ski area on the Maclay Ranch and adjacent national forest land on Carlton Ridge and Lolo Peak.

On May 10, board members of the nonprofit MAEDC decided to go after money to investigate the economic impact of the proposed resort because they felt that independent and objective analysis was needed. Tom Maclay had asked MAEDC to study the subject. He has offered to fund the report if the grant doesn’t come through.

If funding is granted, the study would begin this summer and would be completed by early fall. The study’s findings would then be released to the public.

“We want to contribute to the dialogue and make the information available,” King said.

MAEDC, founded in 1980, fosters economic development in the area by encouraging existing businesses to grow and by attracting established businesses.

To that end, MAEDC provides area demographic and statistical information to interested businesses. The development corporation also offers loan programs for job creation and retention.

Reporter Robert Struckman can be reached at 523-5262 or [email protected]

Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.