Sidney plays host to Montana Chamber of Commerce board

Sidney played host to the Montana Chamber of Commerce banquet this week for the first time since 1931.

"I don't know how we've gone so long without coming here to Sidney," chamber president Webb Brown said. Bringing the chamber here was mostly the work of area chamber members, in particular Karen Olson Beenken and Tami Christensen.

"It is so good to see everyone out here from all over Montana," Beenken said.

People were in attendance from all sides of Montana's large state, coming by train and car. Nearly everyone who introduced themselves from the board commented on the beautiful journey they had and the gorgeous scenery along the Hi-line. There were hardly any seats empty at the event held at the Sidney Country Club.

"We have some candidates that have a chance to be here," Brown said. Amongst those were Republican candidate for governor Roy Brown, no relation, Tim Fox, candidate for attorney general, and the speaker of the night Taylor Brown, candidate for state Senate District 22.

Before the microphone was turned over, Webb Brown said, "We're pro-business, and there's nothing wrong with that, because pro-business is being pro-Montana." The statement stood to be an overarching theme of the evening, and is at the root of the Montana Chamber's mission.

Taylor Brown, who is new to the political scene as a candidate, is not new to Montana, particularly the eastern part of the state. His belief in the state and the importance of exercising one's voice through the politically system was a clear message in his speech. However, the prosperity in land, agriculture, cattle and natural resources that is blossoming throughout the state gave him, and many others, the cause for smile.

"I was just in Conrad... everyone was smiling ear to ear like they were on something," Brown said. "That's what happens when you get five inches of rain...People ask me how's the economy doing for the state's number one industry, agriculture? When you have the longest string of profitable cattle markets in years, the price of wheat is up and we've just got five inches of rain, we're doing pretty good."

He, however, also mentioned a rising worry he has over the state's economy. The worry that Montana is "in danger of squandering" the great opportunities that are at hand.

"We have more coal, timber, cattle and wheat," Brown said, then asking what the state was doing with it. "Are we lowering taxes? No, we don't seem to be doing that. Are we developing? No, we can't seem to get over the environmental hurdle."

Brown made it clear that this is a prime time for Montana in industries across the board, and it is up to Montanans and the government to utilize the prosperous situation of the state.

"There is a connection between good government and good economy," Brown said.

reporter@sidneyherald.com