Residents discuss goals for expanding economic base

County residents gathered Friday during the county-wide conference to explore possible solutions for developing the county’s resources and expanding the economic base.

“If we don’t draw in something beyond oil companies, it can be devastating,” Richland Opportunities Inc. director Cindy Eleson said.

Vernette Torgerson, manager of Sidney Job Service, inquired if technology companies had looked into Sidney being a home so they can do their work in the area.

“The governor’s office contacted me last week,” responded Richland Economic Development executive director Leslie Messer, “and said that there are some oil companies that want to use super computer information to track more of what’s going on out there so we might be able to set that kind of situation up.”

Much of the discussion covered what area resources Richland County has that can be developed into industries including taking advantage of leftover straw in eastern Montana. One county resident suggested looking into building straw houses, as they are “economical” and “sturdy.”

As hunting is a big part of the area, one idea proposed was to take advantage of people out of state who are willing to pay big money to lodge while they hunt. As many of those lodges are filled throughout the year in other areas, renting housing units would bring additional funds into the economy.

The subject of agri-tourism was also discussed.

“It’s phenomenal how much people will pay to sit on a combine for a day or sit in the tractor or dig fence poles to get away from it all,” said Wade VanEvery, executive director of Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. “I look at our vast prairies and all our uninhabited land and I believe there’s opportunities for ranchers to have a cabin in the coulees that they rent out to people for a great majority of the year.”

Additionally, topics of beautification projects to enhance the county’s towns were examined. Among the ideas were building gateways to each town, repairing sidewalks and creating welcome signs, as well as signs to identify significant points such as parks and walking trails.

reporter@sidneyherald.com