Ronan C of C prefers local firms
Editor,
This is a copy of a letter to the Polson City Council and City County Planning Board:
The Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce has been debating for some time if we might have something to add to the discussion about Wal-Mart's announced plans for a super center store in the Polson Community. You should know that a similar debate took place in the year previous to the original store's arrival, and the decision at that time was to not go on record as opposing the arrival of this new competitor, in spite of significant concerns being expressed.
Many of those concerns have proven to be accurate, in the impact to existing retailers and the discouragement of at least two new retail operations that we know of in the Ronan business district alone. A number of members thought we would be perceived as "anti-business" or "anti-growth" and simply crying sour grapes over powerful competition, however now these same concerns accompany this letter. The overwhelming majority of our membership has felt that we do have a responsibility to our customers, friends and families to bring some things to the discussion.
Impacts from the first Wal-Mart are undeniable. However, Wal-Mart is here now and adds their service to the mix, with most other businesses that have survived making adjustments to their operations, lower number of employees, loss of profitability, scaled back growth plans, etc. Wal-Mart suggests that they will bring more businesses to the area, but that has not been the case with most other small communities nationwide.
The Super Wal-Mart discussion is very important to our valley as evidenced by the many letters to the editor, community meetings, economic studies, and conversation in coffee shops and on street corners. The discussion has been thoughtful and broad ranging. Whether the net number of jobs in retail goes up or down with this expansion is subject to some debate. Wal-Mart has a one dimensional economy now, and with it a limited cultural, civic climate.
The retailers that buy that 4-H beef, sponsor that "Relay for Life" team, support your daughter's softball team, or your grandson's Scout group, soccer team, etc. cannot be replaced by one super center. The profits of locally owned businesses circulate in the community. It is those profits that fund all these community activities. Wal-Mart cannot and will not replace all the small donations and support that a diverse business community provides — literally on a daily basis.
The Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce supports existing businesses of the Mission Valley, those people who have been with us through thick and thin.
Ky Bartels, President
Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce