Safe Streets for All Implementation Grant - Kalispell Main Street Concept Design Public Comment from Amber Roper Aimee Brunckhorst
From: Amber Roper <amber@naturebabyoutfitter.com>
Sent: Monday, May 5, 2025 4:04 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Safe Streets for All Implementation Grant - Kalispell Main Street Concept
Design
Support for Downtown Kalispell Revitalization
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My name is Amber Roper,and I'm a local business owner in downtown Kalispell. I'm here tonight in strong support
of the proposal to accept the federal grant and invest in reshaping downtown.
The way I look at this proposal is not to make downtown into a big city vibe,but to make it better for the people
who live,work,and raise families here—and to enhance the uniqueness of our community and what makes us
different from any town shaped by big box USA.
This plan isn't about change for change's sake. It's about accessibility.About safety.About creating a downtown
that works for everyone. It's about creating a place for families with strollers as well as seniors with walkers. It's
about creating a destination that is sought after for small business owners,entrepreneurs,and event organizers
who are today trying—often desperately—to bring life to a downtown that's has become forgotten.
And here's the part that's hard to say,but important to hear: downtown is dying. Not because people don't care
about it—but because we've made it too hard to care for it. Sidewalks are narrow and uninviting—and they're
flanked more and more by empty buildings or service-based offices instead of the kind of shops,cafes,and
gathering spaces that bring people downtown.When blocks sit quiet and storefronts stay dark,it creates a
vacuum—one that's often filled by loitering and transience.
As a struggling small business,this is the core challenge we face choosing to be downtown: people can't support
what they can't easily access or don't know exists. The fellow businesses that remain here downtown—those of us
trying to hold on—are doing it against all odds. Putting in our blood,sweat,tears,and cash because we love our
community,our employees and what we offer.
I want to ask everyone that is opposed to this grant a few honest questions that I hope stay with you over the next
few days:
• Can you name 10 downtown businesses and what they offer?
• When's the last time you ate at a national chain instead of celebrating at a local restaurant or brewery
downtown?
• How many times this year have you grabbed a gift at a big box store instead of browsing the curated
selection at a local boutique—where the owner knows your face,and often your name and personally
chose the products in the store?
• How many of your hard-earned dollars have you spent at a locally owned business?
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• When you did come downtown,did you find it hard to park—or even stress about making your trip fast to
avoid a ticket?
• Did you feel underwhelmed by your shopping options downtown given how many stores have closed or
how about overwhelmed by the amount of loitering in empty spaces?
Where you choose to spend your money may seem small,but your dollars add up. This is NOT just about tourism.
While specific data for Kalispell is limited,national studies indicate local small business retailers return a total of
52%of their revenue to the local economy, compared to just 14%for big-box retailers. Local restaurants have an
even greater impact,recirculating an average of 79%of their revenue locally,versus 30%for chain eateries. In
Montana,small businesses are the backbone of our communities and economy by employing almost 70%of
Montana's workforce.
This project is a catalyst for change—not to make us"big,or"fancy"but to protect what makes us Kalispell.
Because the hard truth is: if we don't act now,the only improvements that will continue to happen will be more
land converted for big box stores,national chains and parking lots.That's what rapidly makes us feel and look like
every other town. But creating a solid,healthy downtown—that's what will keep Kalispell unique. It supports
creativity. It preserves history. It builds connections.
This plan means more people can park,walk,gather,and enjoy downtown. It gives local businesses a chance to
thrive—not just survive. It makes it easier for entrepreneurs to open shop,for families to linger over coffee or ice
cream,for event planners to host gatherings that bring our town together.
When sidewalks are full—when people are walking,shopping,dining,and gathering—downtown naturally
becomes a safer,more welcoming place for everyone. Let's be honest: downtown doesn't feel accessible or inviting
anymore. Frustrating parking,worn-out infrastructure,and a lack of flow make it easier to skip downtown
altogether.And when that happens,we business owners don't just lose a sale—we lose connection,we lose
character,and we lose the opportunity to shape our own future.When we fail to invest,we give that control to
chain stores and transient traffic,and we erode what makes this place home.But we can design for dignity.We
can build a downtown that draws people in,supports local entrepreneurs,welcomes events,and feels safe for
every generation.Investing in downtown is how we protect what makes us unique—how we turn from
survival to revival—and how we keep our town,our town.
Let's not confuse inaction with preservation.A quiet,crumbling downtown isn't nostalgia—it's neglect. Let's invest
in our local businesses. Let's invest in our hardworking service-based employees. Let's invest in our community.
Thank you.
Cheers,
Amber Roper
Owner
Nature Baby Outfitter
mobile: 406 871-2710
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