Burns advocates niche markets at conference

By GWEN ALBERS

Special to the Inter Lake

When U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns looks around Montana, he sees people who have found success in niche markets.

That's no different in Libby.

"They make it go because of an imagination," Burns said during a Tuesday visit to the Memorial Center. "You dream it and do it."

Burns, who is seeking a fourth term in Washington, D.C., spoke to about 75 people attending Lincoln County's "Dream It. Do It!" economic development conference. In 2000, the Republican lawmaker from Billings helped with redevelopment in Libby by securing $8 million.

"Dream It. Do It!" is held to celebrate the funding's accomplishments through partnerships.

Some of those accomplishments have included adding nine holes to Cabinet View Country Club's golf course, buying the building at 711 California Ave. for Lincoln County Community Health Center, creating Libby Revitalization Inc. and purchasing the building at 225 Commerce Way for Lincoln County Campus-Flathead Valley Community College.

Funds also were used to add the lodge and ski lift to Turner Mountain, set up Libby's Center for Asbestos Related Disease and Kootenai Senior Center in Troy, and to build the outdoor arena in J. Neils Memorial Park. Another $100,000 went to St. John's Lutheran Hospital Foundation, which recently achieved an endowment of $1 million.

Burns said he's impressed with what Libby has accomplished.

"Not all of us are dealt the same hand," he said. "We have to take life as it comes. You got more good things working for you than bad."

Burns also noted that people work to improve communities for generations to come.

"We build things for the next generation," he said. "I want to congratulate you. It takes determination to get it done."

"I don't know of one community that can offer more for a family's quality of life and a future," Burns continued. "You're isolated up here, but you have found niche markets to make a go of it."

Burns said he also believes Lincoln County still has "a great future with the National Forest Service and natural resources. He also sees a future in mining.

"It takes determination to get it done," Burns said.