Kalispell City Airport Development
Council Members,
Thanks for all of your efforts in representing the city of Kalispell. I
am dropping a note in response to development at the city airport. I am
Project Manager/Vice President and part owner of Anderson Masonry, Inc.,
not to be confused with Anderson Masonry Hearth & Home, a retail supply
store in Kalispell. Our corporate office is located in Bigfork, Montana
and we have an office and yard in Spokane. Anderson Masonry, Inc. is a
large masonry contractor that does work in Montana, Idaho, Washington,
Wyoming, and California. Currently, we have a single engine airplane
and half ownership in a twin engine airplane. These are located in a
hangar at Kalispell City Airport. Last year, we completed $24 million
dollars worth of masonry work and we attribute much of that volume to
the use of aviation.
The access to general aviation has made it possible to manage projects
all over the Northwest United States. Direct commercial flights to
anywhere besides Seattle, Salt Lake, or Denver from Kalispell do not
exist. Our employees directly benefit from our ability to complete work
over a wide geographical area. Our wages for our superintendants,
office staff, and mechanics are considerably higher than what similar
positions get paid by other local contractors. We are a union shop, so
even the rank and file employees are able to make a living wage, which
is better than the temporary low paying construction positions that
exist. Last week's payroll had 110 people. Four superintendants, one
controller, three office staff, one mechanic, one truck driver, one
project manager, thirteen bricklayers, three hodcarriers, two
operators, one project manager, and three owners/project managers were
from the valley. They spend their money in Kalispell. As we all know,
the economy is sluggish to say the least, without the ability to compete
for work in different locals many of these individuals would not be
employed. Currently we are starting a $1.3 million expansion of our
office in Spokane. The funding for this is obtained from a local
Kalispell bank. A "tucked away" city like Kalispell needs all the help
it can get to attract business.
Some of the airport critics have raised the issue of safety. Adding an
instrument approach, lengthening and widening the runway, as well as,
moving it South are all things that will relieve the same safety issues.
It is my belief that developing an asset that the city already owns is
the smartest choice in the long run. Sure, we could use Glacier
International, but the convenience of Kalispell City is the attraction
for us. I know other business owners, locally and across the region,
that would use Kalispell City, but without an instrument approach and an
adequate ramp next to the FBO, they continue to use Glacier
International and leave their money outside the city limits.
Once again, thanks for your efforts
Scott Harrison
Project Manager/Vice President
Anderson Masonry, Inc.
(406) 837-7737 Phone
(406) 837-7731 Fax
(406) 261-1845 Mobile