It was all business at Hamilton’s Pharaohplex Theater, Tuesday, where networkers from all over congregated for the third Bitterroot Business Conference. WILL MOSS - Ravalli Republic

CORVALLIS - “Turning obstacles into opportunities” was the consensus of a panel of community business leaders at the Bitterroot Business Conference held at the Pharaohplex Theater in Corvallis Tuesday.

The topic of discussion was growth and how it affects local businesses - for better or for worse.

The forum featured seven individuals of varied interests and took questions from approximately 70 business-minded residents who were in attendance. Topics ranged from preserving agriculture and water quality to developing industrial parks and effective zoning.

County Commissioner James Rokosch took the opportunity to explain the history of the growth policy, current interim zoning and the zoning proposal being formulated by seven committees across the county. He encouraged business owners, land owners and all those invested in the future of the county to “engage in the process. We need a 360-degree perspective from everyone.”

“Regulations can facilitate healthy economic growth,” he said as he touted the benefits of density credits for developers, revitalizing potential business districts near city services and insuring lower density and rural areas have a broader range of use that benefits property owners.

“This is the strongest market I've ever been in - no place has seen growth like this and there's no doubt it can be good for business,” said Bill Perrin, vice president of Farmers State Bank, who is originally from eastern Montana.

Realtor and developer Bob Pauley evaluated the slow down in the housing market, housing affordability and the importance of private property rights.

“It's a balancing act - how do we keep the valley clean and pristine and still welcome new people and have our families grow and be able to live here.”

Ross Rademacher of the Maverick Group said business owners will be sustained through growth and more competition by catering to the needs of customers.

“Don't make assumptions that customers will be loyal and keep coming back ... 60 to 80 percent of business comes from referrals ... people want to do business in small towns, so keep giving them a reason, as a consumer, to come back to your business.”

Matt Jones, director of economic development and field director for Sen. Max Baucus explained how national policies are evaluated by Baucus in terms of effect on Montana people and businesses. “One of the top concerns of Max Baucus is small business' ability to provide health insurance for employees.”

In final remarks, Perrin said Farmers State Bank in investing aggressively in the area and sees leadership in local businesses that is very exciting. He said they encourage bank employees to be involved in the community.

“We put money in the community, but it's important to invest in people and have people invest in our communities.”

Rokosch said the best business leaders are those who take responsibility to have “some level of civic engagement ... progress will be made in partnerships in both public and private sectors where we intend to make challenges our new opportunities.”

Pauley reminded the group that “quality of life is very important to almost all of us ... and discussions like this are going to take us a lot farther than beating up each other or the commissioners. The business and development community needs to do the right thing and stop hindering each other.”

Jones agreed, “Civic engagement is so important,” he said because our communities are small, each of us is well-represented and our votes, especially for senators, are so much more powerful than those from more populated states. “Take the opportunity to make a difference.”

Larry Swanson said the Bitterroot Valley can become a success story when it comes to issues of growth and development. “The Bitterroot Valley has had a lot of stuff coming at us in a very short time, but out of that challenge, valley leadership is getting their hands around it, people are talking ... we all have to keep working at it.”

The business conference was the third of its kind and was sponsored by Farmers State Bank, Maverick Group, Ravalli County Economic Development Authority and Montana Community Development Corporation.

Owen Robbins, one conference organizer, said they plan to have a fourth event to be scheduled in about 18 months.

“We'll do this again in February 2009 and hope even more from our business community join us.”

Robbins can be reached at 207-0658 for more information.

Reporter Stacie Duce can be reached at 363-3300 or sduce@ravallirepublic.com