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Western Montana InBusiness Nov. 2005 – Pet project highlights growth

Like so many other business sectors in western Montana, these are boom times for businesses that involve animals.

Haven’t thought of western Montana’s animal business as a growth sector? Then you haven’t wandered through the bustling aisles of our pet stores recently – or tried to book time with your veterinarian.

By MIKE McINALLY

Granted, some of the business growth can be found outside western Montana’s cities, in areas where entrepreneurs are finding work tending to the needs of horse lovers and working to breed puppies and kittens – and, sometimes, much bigger animals – for customers in Montana and around the world.

This issue of Western Montana InBusiness Monthly takes a detailed look at how our pet economy has boomed. These were fun stories to report, photograph and edit – and, if we’ve done our jobs properly, you’ll leave this issue with a new respect for the business owners who are making a mark in this area of our economy.

You’ll find other stories and columns in this issue as well: This edition’s Q-and-A interview gives Monte Turner, this year’s president of the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce, a chance to sound off – and he doesn’t let that chance go to waste. We profile entrepreneur Mark Porter, and examine how his company is making a splash across the nation. John Stromnes, the Missoulian’s Lake and Sanders county reporter, contributes a story on a new tribal bank on the Flathead Indian Reservation that should be opening its doors very soon. And our columnist Rosalie Cates reflects on the very real link between Missoula’s open space and its businesses.

Rosalie also serves on the panel of business experts that helps to advise Western Montana InBusiness Monthly. We’ve called again and again on the expertise of this group, and I cannot thank them enough for their contributions to the success of InBusiness. Other advisory board members include Rich Boberg, of the Missoula Macy’s; Bob Boschee, of Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.; Missoula County Commissioner Barbara Evans; Larry Gianchetta, dean of the University of Montana School of Business; Faye Hanson-Warren, of U.S. Bank; Vicki Judd, of NorthWestern Energy; Dick King, of the Missoula Area Economic Development Corp.; Denise Lamb, of Collegiate Marketing; Kim Latrielle, of the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce; Loren Rose, of Pyramid Mountain Lumber; and Joni Walker, of the Missoula Federal Credit Union.

My hope, as always, is that you find this issue of InBusiness informative and entertaining. You can subscribe by calling 523-5280. You also can find copies of the magazine on sale at a variety of single-copy locations throughout Missoula.

A word about our next issue, the December edition: It’s scheduled to be our annual "Movers and Shakers" issue, in which we offer profiles of businesspeople who are doing fascinating work or who are leaving their marks on the community. Know of somebody who fits that bill? Let us know by calling or e-mailing Tyler Christensen.
She can be reached at 523-5215 or through e-mail at [email protected].

That e-mail address and that phone number will work as well if you have other comments about InBusiness or want to suggest other story ideas. We’re always on the lookout for those.

Thanks for reading. We’ll talk again in the December issue.

Full Issue: http://www.mtinbusiness.com/inbiz-0511/

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