5. Resolution 4677 - Montana Certified Communities ProgramE
Area Chamber o f Commerce
DATE: January 2, 2002
TO: Mayor Kennedy and Members of Kalispell City Council
FROM: Joe Unterreiner
RE: Request for Re -Designation as Sponsoring Agency for Certified
Communities Program
The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce is requesting a resolution of the City of Kalispell re -
designating the Chamber as the sponsoring agency for the Montana Certified Communities
Program. This is a designation the City has conferred upon the Chamber since the program's
inception in 1986. The State requires re -designation every three years.
The purpose of the Certified Communities Program is "to establish and maintain as active
network of trained communities that are prepared to respond quickly and efficiently to economic
development opportunities". The Chamber is qualified to continue on in this role for several
reasons:
A Major Portal for Business and Economic Information. In the past twelve months, the
following volume of requests have been received: 2,000 business and personal relocation
inquiries; 5,600 vacation and convention inquiries; 6,700 requests for local information;
3,000 referrals; and, we have received 130,000 visitors to www,kalispellchamber.com.
2. A Provider of Business Assistance Services. The Chamber has been designated by the
City as the agency to administer the Lodging Facility Use Tax. Additionally, in 2000, the
Chamber was selected by the State as the host organization for the Small Business
Development Center serving northwest Montana. As such, the organization has full-time
staff to assist businesses in marketing, plan development, pro -forma analysis, cost issues,
and a wide variety of other issues.
State and Regional Economic Development Initiatives. The Kalispell Chamber is sought
out for participation in state and regional economic development initiatives. Participation
includes: appointment by the Governor to the four -state Inland Northwest Economic
Adjustment Initiative; appointment by U.S. Secretary of the Interior to the Going -to -the -
Sun Road Advisory Committee; appointment by the Montana Director of Transportation
to the Four -Lane Highway Study Committee.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve the community this way. If you should have any
questions regarding this program or the City's resolution, please do not hesitate to contact me.
15 Depot Park • Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 758-2800 • Fax (406) 758-2805 • Email: chamber@digisys.net • www.kalispellchamber.com
RESOLUTION NO. 4677
A RESOLUTION RE -ENDORSING THE KALISPELL AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AS
THE SPONSORING AGENCY FOR THE MONTANA CERTIFIED CITIES PROGRAM.
MONTANA CERTIFIED COMMUNITIES
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KALISPELL 'AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. The City of Kalispell City Council hereby
resolves to endorse the Kalispell Area Chamber
of Commerce as the sponsoring organization for
Kalispell which became a Montana Certified
Community in 1986; and authorizes it to
complete recertification requirements on
behalf of the community. We voluntarily will
comply with the recertification requirements
established by the Montana Certified
Communities Program in exchange for
preferential information, referrals and other
incentives from the Montana Department of
Commerce.
SECTION II. Additionally, it is understood that if
certification lapses, and the community seeks
to later renew the designation as a Montana
Certified Community, that it must comply with
the full program requirements of a community
seeking original certification.
SECTION III. We pledge to cooperate in achieving the
requirements which will entitle our community
to be certified for three additional years.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND SIGNED BY THE MAYOR OF
THE CITY OF KALISPELL THIS 7TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2002.
Pamela B. Kennedy
Mayor
ATTEST:
Theresa White
City Clerk
0
I{calispmll
December 18, 2001
Area Chamber of Commerce
Chris Kukulski, City Manager
City of Kalispell
312 First Avenue East
Kalispell, MT 59901
RE: Request for Re -Designation as Sponsoring Agency for Certified Communities
Program
Dear Chris:
We are requesting re -designation by the City of Kalispell as the sponsoring agency for
the Montana Certified Communities Program. This is a designation the City has
conferred upon the Chamber since in program's inception in 1986.
I have included some information to familiarize you with the program, what has been
accomplished, and plans for the coming year. I look forward to answering any questions
you might have when we meet this Thursday, December 20, at 9:30am.
This resolution and other material are due in Helena by January 30, 2002. So, I hope that
this can be scheduled as an agenda item as soon as possible. I look forward to seeing you
Thursday.
Sincerely,
4eph . nterreiner, President
Area Chamber of Commerce
Exhibits: 1. Chamber Resolution Requesting Re -Designation, dated 12/18/01
2. Most Recent City Resolution for Re -Designation: Resolution 4251
3. Frequently Asked Questions about the Certified Communities Program
4. 2001 Financial Report
5. 2002 Budget
6. 2001 Project: Priorities Issues Survey
7.2001 Project: Workforce 2020 Final Report
8. 2001 Project: Study of Power Supply Needs for the Flathead Valley
IS Depot Park • Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 758-2800 • Fax (406) 758-2805 • Email: chamber@digisys.net • www.kalispellchamber.com
EXHIBIT I
Area Chamber of Commerce
RESOLUTION
MONTANA CERTIFIED COMMUNITIES PROGRAM
FINDINGS:
1. The City of Kalispell has designated the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce as the
lead development organization to represent the City for purposes of responding
quickly and efficiently to economic development opportunities since 1986.
2. The Kalispell Chamber is a major portal for those seeking business and personal
information about Kalispell. In the past twelve months, the following volume of
requests have been received: 2,000 business and personal relocation inquiries;
5,600 vacation and convention inquiries; 6,700 requests for local information;
3,000 referrals; and, we have received 130,000 visitors to
www.kalisl2ellchamber.com.
The Kalispell Chamber offers a wide variety of business assistance services. In
1988, the City of Kalispell designated the Chamber to serve as the non-profit
tourism agency to represent the City for purposes of administering the State's
lodging facility use tax. In 2000, the Montana Department of Commerce selected
the Chamber to host the Small Business Development Center serving Flathead,
Lake, and Lincoln counties; and, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai and
Blackfeet tribes.
4. The Chamber affiliates with state and national organizations to stay current with
the best practices in the industry. Memberships include: Montana Association of
Chamber Executives, Montana Economic Developers Association, Montana
Ambassadors, American Chamber of Commerce Executives, Montana Chamber
of Commerce, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Kalispell Chamber has been
accredited with the U.S. Chamber since 1981.
The Kalispell Chamber is sought out for participation in state and regional
economic development initiatives. Participation includes: appointment by the
Governor to the four -state Inland Northwest Economic Adjustment Initiative;
appointment by U.S. Secretary of the Interior to the Going -to -the -Sun Road
Advisory Committee; appointment by the Montana Director of Transportation to
the Four -Lane Highway Study Committee; appointment by the Governor to the
Montana Board of Investments.
15 Depot Park • Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 758-2800 • Fax (406) 758-2805 • Email: chamber@digisys.net • www.kalispellchamber.com
6. The Kalispell Chamber has helped create the organizational infrastructure to
capture economic opportunities by serving as a founding partner in the Flathead
Convention and Visitors Bureau in 1988; Jobs Now in 1997; and the Flathead
Business and Education Council in 1998.
The Kalispell Chamber has record of success in convening community -wide
issues. In response to a local business need for workforce development
assistance, the Chamber initiated Workforce 2020, a nationally recognized effort
designed to build a competitive, promotable, and sustainable workforce. "Which
Way Kalispell?" and "Which Way Downtown?" were community visioning
processes conducted in partnership with the Kalispell Development Corporation
and the Kalispell Community Development Department, which led to the
identification and accomplishment of several community goals and projects.
8. The Chamber has broad -based business and community support. The Kalispell
Chamber consists of 700 businesses and organizations in the Kalispell area.
Ninety-six percent of these members rate the overall performance of the
organization as "good" or "excellent".
The Kalispell Chamber enjoys excellent relationships with local, state, and federal
elected officials and agency personnel.
10. The Chamber enjoys outstanding and productive relationships with other
affiliated economic development organizations in the region including the:
Flathead Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jobs Now/Flathead County Port
Authority, Kalispell Development Corporation, Flathead Business and Industry
Association, Northwest Montana Business Center, and other area chambers of
commerce and business associations.
RESOLUTION: Therefore, based on these findings, the Board of Directors of the
Kalispell Area Chamber of Commerce requests a resolution by the City of Kalispell re -
endorsing the Chamber as the sponsoring agency for the Montana Certified Communities
Program.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Susie Burch, Steve Eudy, Mike Gwiazdon, Bob
Herron, Jane Karas, Marshall Murray, Carol Nelson, Bob Nystuen, Jim Oliverson, Mark
Twichel, Tom Weaver, Deb Wilson, Dick Hammett, Andy Ponder.
UNANIMOUSLY PASSED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON THIS 18TH DAY
OF DECEMBER, 2001.
Bob Nystuei , C a' man
Kalispell Area Chamber of Commerce
EXHIBIT 2
RESOLUTION NO. 4251
A RESOLUTION RE -ENDORSING THE KALISPELL AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AS
THE SPONSORING AGENCY FOR THE MONTANA CERTIFIED CITIES PROGRAM.
MONTANA CERTIFIED COMMUNITIES
The City of Kalispell City Council hereby resolves to endorse the
Kalispell Area Chamber of Commerce as the sponsoring organization
for Kalispell which became a Montana Certified Community in 1986;
and authorizes it to complete recertification requirements on
behalf of the community. We voluntarily will comply with the
recertification requirements established by the Montana Certified
Communities Program in exchange for preferential information,
referrals and other incentives from the Montana Department of
Commerce.
Additionally, it is understood that if certification lapses, and
the community seeks to later renew the designation as a Montana
Certified Community, that it must comply with the full program
requirements of a community seeking original certification.
We pledge to cooperate in achieving the requirements which will
entitle our community to be certified for three additional years.
PASSED BY THE CITY—:OUNCIL AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF
KALISPELL THIS DAY OF �z fjYwx r , 1996.
Douglo D. Rauthe, Mayor
ATTEST:
AqcQ em c
Debbie q-�i d, CMC
Clerk o C ncil
oNFA\A CERTIFIED CO\I\IL\iTILS
EXHIBIT 3
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MONTANA CERTIFIED COMMUNITIES
AN ACTIVE NETWORK OF TRAINED COMMUNITIES PREPARED
TO RESPOND TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
A pubicionvate partnership aomimstered by Montana Department of Commerce Economic Development C,ms,on.
Montana Economic Development Association and Montana Rural Development Parmem, Inc
1. What is the purpose of the Montana Certified Communities Program?
To establish and maintain an active network of trained communities that are prepared to respond quickly and
efficiently to economic development opportunities.
2. How can our community become a member of the Montana Certified Communities Program?
Any incorporated city, county or tribal government in the State of Montana may participate and benefit from
belonging to the Montana Certified Community Program (MT CCP). Reviewing the "Requirements" page at the
MT CCP website and then contacting the Montana Rura! DOve!o^meat Partners (MT RDP) is the "first" step in
becoming a member of the program. The MT RDP will put you in contact with your Regional Development Officer
who is identified at
httl):Ilwviw.mtrdl).org/certiftedcommunities/officers.htm
3. When will new Certified Communities be allowed to join the program?
Beginning in State Fiscal Year 2002, new community applications will be accepted for entry into the MT CCP. This
means that all requirements must be completed and turned in to MEDA/MT RDP by March 31" of 2002.
4. How long is the certification period?
Certification lasts for three State Fiscal Years, providing all of the program requirements are satisfied.
S. Who can be named as a community's Lead Development Organization (LDO)?
Civic groups, chambers of commerce, economic development corporations, tribal economic development
agencies, regional
economic development agencies, resource conservation and development districts, local government economic
development
departments and trade ports.
6. What are the responsibilities of the Lead Development Organization (LDO)?
LDO's are responsible for acquiring, completing and maintaining the requirements outlined under the Montana
Certified Communities Program. Initial MT CCP certification and re -certification requirements include:
■ A current program application form, which designates a primary and alternative local contact. You
can obtain the form at htto://www.mtrdlp.org/certifiedcommunities/toolkit.htm
■ An authorizing resolution that endorses your organization as the Lead Development Organization by
the government entity (city, county or tribal government) and authorized your organization to
complete and maintain the certification requirements on behalf of the government entity (city,
county or tribal government). You can obtain the form at
)�I AAA C_GR7l FILD f OM\IL \ITI I:S
hap aen nnrup ore1.
htp:r/www.mtrdo.org/certifiedcommunities/toolkit.htm
■ A community profile form which is key to providing specific information companies will likely request
in evaluating a community's capabilities and readiness for its investment and operations. Montana
Certified Community's must be able to procure reliable, up-to-date information, often specific to the
prospect's operation, within a day or two. You can obtain the form at
htto:'/www.mtrd1).orq/certif edcommunities/tool kit. htm
■ A current Strategic Plan that addresses local economic development needs and opportunities,
including specific projects or activities to be conducted prior to the next re -certification date.
(Strategic Planning assistance is available by calling MT RDP at 406.563.5259.)
■ Be willing to host a mock site visit from a potential business interested in moving to your
community.
Annual MT CCP requirements include:
■ A sioned letter from the LDO reporting the: proposed goals for the past State Fiscal Year,
identification of goals achieved and goals that were missed, an explanation for goal achievement or
failure, and an explanation of how the grant funds and the matching funds were expended.
http:_ www.mtrc.orqicertifledcommunities/toolkit.htm
■ A stoned letter from the LDO requesting matching grant funds for the coming State Fiscal Year,
source of matching funds and the use of proposed grant funds. Proposed uses of the grant funds
should be in conformity with the community's declared Strategic Plan.
■ An Independently prepared certified copy of a financial statement for the past fiscal year, and a
uuuyet for the coming fiscal year.
■ current community profile form, which provides specific information companies will likely request
in evaluating a community's capabilities and readiness for its investment and operations. Montana
Cerhhed Communities must be able to procure reliable, up-to-date information, often specific to the
prospect's operation, within a day or two. You can obtain the form at
;,I ;_,wwv. il itrdp.org/certifiedcommunities/toolkit.htm.
■ Attend two regional meetings and one statewide meeting each year that are designed to provide
training for Montana Certified Communities.
7. Can a community change its endorsed Lead Development Organization?
It should be noted that maintaining a consistent community contact for economic development purposes is a
significant benefit to the community and the program. It is possible, however, for a community to endorse a
different Lead Development Organization during any given State Fiscal Year before the end of the Third Quarter
(March 31), by submitting a new authorizing resolution. if a change in LDO is made during any given State Fiscal
Year, the new LDO will be responsible for satisfying all of the community's annual reporting requirements (see
question =6). If a change is desired, it is preferred that a change in a community's LDO is performed when a
community applies for re -certification. The new community LDO would be responsible for satisfying all
re -certification requirements for the community.
8. When will my community be notified as to requirement deadlines under the Montana Certified
Communities Program?
Each Certified Community will be notified electronically and by mail ninety (90) days in advance of the due date of
their Annual Report and one year in advance of the three-year re -certification.
9. When are the deadlines?
Annual Report Due Date: the last day of the third quarter (March 315t) of the current State Fiscal Year. This
will provide MEDA/MT RDP and the Montana Department of Commerce (MT DOC) the fourth quarter of each SFY
to process all grant fund applications, annual reports and certification and re -certification applications and issue
grant funds.
J\FAN %CERTIFIED(()\1\IC\ITIES .LIP 11a1�1111ruP ore: iG:a:omnuuuus l aq;.
Re -Certification Due Date: same as above
New Members Due Date: same as above. March 315', 2002. It should be noted that there will be no new
Certified Communities accepted into the program in SFY 2001. Therefore, the current due date for new member
applications is March 31st 2002.
10. What is a State Fiscal Year (SFY)?
July 151 through June 301h of the following year. For example, the months of State Fiscal Year 2002 include July 1,
2001 through June 301h, 2002.
11. How do I contact my Regional Development Officer for assistance?
Visit the website at htti)71/www.mtrdi).org/certifiedcommunities/officers.htm
12. Why must I attend two regional training meetings and one statewide Montana Certified Community
meeting each year?
The meetings play a fundamental role in achieving the MT CCP goal of "establish and maintain an active network
of trained communities that are prepared io iojNilu quickly and efficiently to economic development
opportunities". The purpose of these meetings is to provide training and networking opportunities that will
ultimately enhance business retention, expansion, and recruitment efforts in your community. Agendas for each
meeting will be designed to inform and educate on a variety of economic development skills and programs that
will allow the requirements of the Montana Certified Community Program to be reached effectively.
13. May I use MT CCP funds to pay for the cost of attending these meetings?
Yes. As identified above, the meetings are fundamental in achieving the MT CCP goals. The registration expense
and meeting costs will be kept to a minimum. All expenses must be documented in the annual reporting process.
See question #6 for the annual reporting requirements.
14. What qualifies for matching funds?
For example, if your community receives $5,000 in grant funds from the MT CCP you must "match" that amount
of funding with another $5,000. Match cannot be in -kind donations. Examples of match funding would be
Revolving Loan Funds, Chamber membership dues, county/community reserve funds, other grant funds, etc.
15. What happens if a community does not meet the program requirements?
In the event that a Lead Development Organization fails to provide the necessary requirements, the LDO and the
MT DOC will receive notification(s) of non-compliance and recommendations for de -certification from MEDA/MT
RDP before the end of the third quarter (March 31) of the current State Fiscal Year. The MT DOC will review the
recommendation for de -certification and will notify the LDO and MEDA/MT RDP of the community's program
status (de -certification or continued certification) within thirty (30) days of receipt of the recommendation.
16. Where can I find the information required on the Community Profile?
Some helpful websites include:
Office of Commissioner of Higher Education: htto://www.montana.edu/wwwoche/
Montana Census and Economic Information Center: htto://ceic.commerce.state.mt.us/
Research & Analysis Bureau Home Page: http://rad.dli.state.mt.us/
Department of Revenue in Helena, Montana: http://www.state.mt.us/revenue/index.htm
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hup %�m% madp.org roq r.'.
17. If I have more questions, whom shall I contact?
Although the Montana Certified Communities Program has been in existence for more than ten years, funding for
the program was received for the first time in State Fiscal Year 2001. Funding has increased the need for
program integrity and accountability, thus changes must sometimes be initiated as the program evolves. Your
patience is much appreciated as we go through this initiation process. You may contact your Regional
Development Officer and or MEDA/MT RDP with your questions. Phone 406.563.5259 or email gloriaZinnet. If
the information you require is not immediately available, we will seek the answer together with the help of MT
Department of Commerce, Economic Development Division.
Back to Certified Communities Home Page
Contact Office: MTRDPIMEDA' 118 E. Seventh St.; Suite 2A' Anaconda, MT 59711
ph:406.563.5259'fix:406.563.5476`gloria(&xi.net*hll �r'tntrdD.(tru,,cerlI iedconiIII UnitiCS
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