Kalispell City Airport Development (2)
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