Evergreen looks to the future

Evergreen has always gone its own way — and that suits most folks in Evergreen just fine.

But whereas in better economic times, Evergreen was the poster child for economic development in the Flathead, today it is starting to look a bit worn, if not worn out. That means it’s time once again for Evergreen to take a step forward and meet the challenges of the future.

Only 10 years ago, Evergreen was the retail center of Flathead County. It was in the midst of a building boom that included a million square feet of retail space, mostly along the U.S. 2 corridor that forms the heart of the community.

The boom eventually went elsewhere, with the next decade marked by the massive buildup of commercial space along U.S. 93, but there is still plenty to brag about in Evergreen, even though some retail outfits have been lured away by the newer shopping area in north Kalispell.

So now businesses and residents in Evergreen are taking stock.

There’s no reason to be pessimistic. Although Evergreen has somewhat undefined geographic boundaries, it nevertheless has a very-well defined sense of pride and community.

One thing that Evergreen residents most prize is their independence, which they are quick to defend. Efforts to impose government organization — whether planning jurisdictions or municipal oversight — have met swift resistance in the past.

So now, it’s time to put that independence to work, finding a new niche, a new energy and a new approach to development.

The old philosophy of “do nothing and they will come and build anyway” is probably not going to work anymore. That’s why, even though Evergreen has no formal leadership, it is to be hoped that someone will pick up the mantle of old-timers like John Harp and the late John Smithlin and fight for the future of this tough-minded community.

The area still has a foundation of successful retail businesses, a solid school district and a new fire hall for the increasingly busy Evergreen Fire Rescue department.

So it’s likely that Evergreen will survive just fine despite this latest retail challenge.

And in one way, the north Kalispell expansion — with its attendant and ever-growing traffic difficulties — actually may send consumers back to the east to places where gridlock doesn’t complicate shopping.

In the words of B.J. Lupton, whose Snappy Sport Senter is an anchor for the community, “We need to focus on people and work hard to keep the area beautiful and nurture it as best we can.”