Chamber plans to recruit Bay Area businesses

Whitefish’s Chamber of Commerce has a fishing trip planned this fall in the San Francisco area. They’ll be looking to hook a few “clean, green and high tech” companies interested in relocating to Whitefish.

The chamber presented to city council March 5 plans for a three to five day economic development mission in the Bay Area. Allegiant Air recently added a direct flight between the Bay Area and Kalispell, which sparked the idea of an economic development trip.

“We want to test the waters a little bit,” chamber director Kevin Gartland said.

Gartland says Whitefish could be attractive to “lifestyle” executives — those who are able to work from anywhere via the Internet.

“We have a unique set of attractions in Whitefish,” Gartland said, noting the access to outdoor activities and a small town lifestyle. “We need to expand the breadth of our economy to give it more stability. We need more than entry-level hospitality jobs.”

Companies interested in relocating would be intrigued by the success of Whitefish businesses such as NXGEN, Zane Ray, River Design Group, Corporate Image Outfitters, Glacier Restaurant Group, Total Label and Hammer Nutrition.

The chamber aims to have up to 50 clients lined up prior to the development trip. Once in San Francisco they’ll host a reception and one-on-one meetings.

The chamber is looking for a $5,000 investment from the city to help fund the mission.

Councilman Frank Sweeney said it’s worth the money and effort if there is a chance of recruiting even one business.

“If we get anybody to move here, that’s a fair return on the investment,” Sweeney said.

Phil Mitchell said the city can’t expect people to move here without “giving them a carrot.”

“There are other places recruiting, too,” he said.

Chris Hyatt was conceptually behind the mission, although he thought the Bay Area was the wrong target market.

“Minneapolis has grown into a strong market for us,” he said. “There’s already a great structure of flights coming to and from Minneapolis.”

Bill Kahle noted that he is from the Bay Area. While business people he’s talked to say they’d love to relocate here, their top concern is air travel.

Gartland said the chamber board is interested in doing whatever it can to help expand air service to and from the valley.

“Air service is not just a tourism issue,” he said. “It’s vital to the economy on every level.”

During public comment, Rhonda Fitzgerlad argued that companies rarely relocate.

“The best way to grow jobs is from here,” she said. “Retention and regeneration will work the best for Whitefish.”

She suggested targeting visitors who are already here that may be prospective business owners looking to relocate.