Businesses in West Yellowstone look to diversify

WEST YELLOWSTONE – Mayor Randy Johnson knew business in this town was off sharply, but wasn’t sure by how much. So he came up with a unique yardstick: he started counting toilet flushes, loads of laundry and showers.

By SCOTT McMILLION, Chronicle Staff Writer

http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2004/02/13/news/westeconomybzbigs.txt

All those activities drain into the town’s sewer plant, where January’s load was 28 percent smaller than the average of the four previous Januarys, he told a group of state and federal economic development specialists here Thursday.
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The decline could actually be higher than that, since an undetermined amount of the town’s sewage comes from residential producers, according to Fred Rice, operations manager for the town.

The sharp dip results from the uncertainty surrounding this winter’s decisions concerning snowmobiling in adjacent Yellowstone National Park, business owners here say.

But it’s hard to measure exact impacts.

Snowmobile entries into the park’s west gate were off 66 percent in January, compared to the same month last year, but not everybody here rides in the park.

Mary Sue Costello, director of the local Chamber of Commerce, informally surveyed a handful of businesses and found consistent drops in business, although the figures varied widely.

Five restaurant owners said their income is off by amounts ranging from 0 percent to 50 percent.

Seven motel owners reported declines of 18 percent to 95 percent.

Two snowmobile rental shops said sales are off 35 percent to 47 percent, while three snowcoach rentals saw growth between 5 percent and 35 percent.

Costello stressed the survey is incomplete and called it "quick and dirty," but she found 51 full-time jobs that were not filled this winter, plus some part-time jobs.

There are a number of state and federal programs designed to help communities adjust to big economic changes, and Rep. Dennis Rehberg, R-Mont., arranged for several representatives to come here for Thursday’s meeting with about 40 locals.

They sketched out how people can pursue grants, low-cost loans and expertise to help diversify the economy.

Clyde Seely, who owns motels, snowmobile liveries and restaurants here, said a volunteer committee has been working on ways to attract a community college that would teach students about the tourism and outdoor industries.

But the committee ran out of steam and needs expertise, he said.

"We need a professional to get things off the ground," he said.

Jeff Carter said he and his father, Western artist Gary Carter, have been working for several years on a Western heritage art center. He said he envisions living history exhibits of frontier skills, art displays, rodeo, music, theater and more.

"Let’s start something that can bring in an entirely different industry," he said. "Our vision is to turn West Yellowstone into the entertainment capital of Montana, to do it right and do it big."

He said West Yellowstone used to be a sophisticated place in the days of train travel. The town was full of trees and famous jazz bands played here.

"We sort of became T-shirts and rubber tomahawks," he said.

Glenn Loomis, another owner of motels and a snowmobile rental business, said his occupancy rate is off about 50 percent from past winters.

He said he fully supports diversifying the local economy, but none of the ideas will happen quickly.

"Our problem is simple," he said after the meeting. "How do we meet next month’s payroll when you’ve had this kind of kick in the butt?"

A federal judge ruled in December that this would be the last season for recreational snowmobiling in the park and cut this year’s snowmobile entries in half. Another judge ruled this week that it can continue. But nobody knows what will happen next winter.

Higher courts are likely to be asked to sort out the conflicting rulings.

Scott McMillion is at [email protected]