BUSINESS ADVOCACY

The Chamber – Involved and Engaged

 “Missoula’s Voice for Business Providing Community Leadership and Business Advocacy Sustaining Economic Vitality”.

CURRENT NEWS ON WHAT'S HAPPENING
(Further Details Below)

1. Chamber Launches New Governmental Affairs Committee
   
   Mission: To ensure a strong business voice in local, state and federal issues potentially impacting business while developing proactive partnerships enabling us to speak as a community voice on priority issues.         
   
   Role: Our challenge is to take a proactive role in focusing on the core issues, prioritizing these issues and engaging the business community to speak as a community voice. Through the Government Affairs Committee and issues sub committee’s, we will study and work the priority issues relating to housing production function; growth and land use, transportation, taxation and candidate outreach to help set priorities and goals for the Business Advocate and make recommendations to the Chamber Board of Directors.  
   

   If you are interested in participating in this committee please download an application below and and submit it to Nicole Childre at nicole@missoulachamber.com or by fax at 406-543-6625.
   To download an application to participate in this committee and to learn more -Click Here

2.   
     Do you want daily direct California Air Service?
     It's possible...there's a community effort to make it happen, and you can help
     make a difference. Join us to find out how.
     Click here for more information
   

3. City Zoning and Subdivision Regulations Update - The below news release provides an update regarding the Missoula City Zoning and Subdivision Regulations Update Project. An Advisory Group draft of the first part (referred to as Module One) of the proposed zoning ordinance can be viewed by going to www.zoningmissoula.com. Press Release
   
   A hard copy will also be available at the following locations: the Public Library, the Mayor's Office and the Office of Planning and Grants at City Hall. A meeting to review Module One will be held with the Advisory Group at two upcoming meetings: Wednesday, July 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, August 14, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Both meetings will be in the City Council Chambers.
   

4. Transportation Update Newsletter for May and June
   To Read Updates on Current Transportation Projects, Meetings & Other News and Events Click Here
   

5. UFDA Open Houses-Planning for residential growth 20 years into the future-Asking for citizen review and comment on three growth scenarios
   Click Here for all Four Meeting Times and Details (same material is available at all four meetings)
   
   

6. Click Here to View First Quarter Single Family Housing Starts
   provided by the Montana Building Industry Associations
   
   

7. For Information on Montana Elections Click Here
   For Information On Campaign Contribution Laws Click Here
   
   

8. View Final Draft of Bitterroot Resort Economic Impact Analysis
   and ECONorthwest's Comments on Public Input Regarding the Analysis
   
   

9. New Lighting Ordinance effective January 1, 2008
   
   

10. Zoning and Subdivision Regulation Updates
    
    

11. Brochure on Missoula Tourism Business Improvement District

News

Missoula International Airport Membership Survey Results The Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce and the Missoula Airport Authority extend our appreciation to the Chamber members who took time to recently respond to an electronic survey regarding the Missoula International Airport. The intent of the survey was to glean out information on improvements that could be made at the airport. Chamber members were given 9 questions by the airport management that pertained to the why we use the Missoula airport, parking, ease of operation, access, security, and customer service.  The response to the survey was quick as 204 respondents answered within the limited time frame.  Missoula travelers overall are very satisfied with the Missoula Airport, but suggestions were made listing a few changes that would help with operations, fights costs, security flow, and general services.  The information that was collected will be of great value to the planning process currently being conducted in the form of a long range airport plan. The following are the results to the specific survey questions. Click Here to View Survey Results Thank You and Response from Airport To View the Final Draft of the Bitterroot Resort Economic Impact Analysis Prepared by ECONorthwest - Click Here To View ECONorthwest's Comments on Public Input Regarding the Economic Impact Analysis Click Here New Lighting Ordinance Goes Into Effect January 1, 2008 The City of Missoula passed an outdoor lighting ordinance that restricts light trespass and requires specific outdoor lighting fixtures.  The ordinance applies to all new construction and remodels with in the City of Missoula, after January 1, 2008.  This includes both commercial and residential.  Be aware that there are a few fixtures that have a replacement deadline of one year (complaint driven). The specifics on the outdoor lighting ordinance can be viewed by linking to the City web site and down loading the ordinance (Ordinance 3341, Chapter 8.64 Missoula Municipal Code, Missoula Outdoor Lighting Ordinance).  ftp://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/Documents/Ordinance/3341.pdf If you are building or remodeling you need to look at this ordinance.  If you are not making changes, then most of your existing lights are grandfathered in until fixture replacement is necessary.   Missoula Zoning and Subdivision Regulations Update The City of Missoula in the upcoming months are working on updating Missoula's Zoning and Subdivision Regulations. The update project is intended to result in a comprehensive clean-up and modernization of the city’s Zoning Ordinance and possible amendments to the Subdivision Regulations. In short, it’s all about creating an up-to-date rulebook that governs land development in the city. Please visit www.zoningmissoula.com for all the latest news and progress of this project in the upcoming months.