| Chamber of Commerce & Others Take Postition A number of groups have decided to endorse the size cap of 60,000 square feet. These groups include: • Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce • Bitterrooters for Planning • Downtown Hamilton Business Improvement District • Friends of the Bitterroot • Hamilton United Businesses • Stevensville Main Street Association New Brochure Available for Download  Download PDF 780 KB. Right-click to save to computer. Interim Zoning Regulations Available for Download  Download PDF 680 KB. Right-click to save to computer. Resolution To Implement Zoning  Download PDF 200 KB. Right-click to save to computer.  Hamilton, Montana 2007? The Ravalli County Growth Policy was created by the citizens, every clause was debated, and when it was put to a vote, it passed overwhelmingly. The citizens have spoken clearly and they want: Regulations to address large-scale retail development in terms of square footage and design standards. Discourage strip development along Highway 93 and other major arteries. Encourage commercial development in designated districts and "Main Streets." These quotes are taken directly from the Ravalli Growth Policy.   How big is too big? Click for Larger Image. |
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 • For every two jobs created by a box store, the community typically loses three. • Business closures following a box store opening commonly reduce the local property tax base by 20%. • The aggregate amount donated by existing local businesses to community-based organizations typically exceeds the amount of dollars that box stores contribute. • The arrival of a large box store depresses overall wages in that community. "Residents of local labor markets earn less following the opening of Wal-Mart stores" (Neumark/U of Cal Irvine study). • 70% more money remains in the community when spent at locally-owned businesses. For every $100 consumer dollars spent at: Local Business-$73 remains Big Box Store-$43 remains That means more than half the money spent at a big box store would leave the valley. • A congressional study found that federal taxpayers pay $2,103 per year in subsidies for the average Wal-Mart employee. • Box stores do not have the ability to purchase locally-produced products to be sold in their stores. Local products grown, manufactured, or produced in the Bitterroot would have to ship outside the valley to market. This reduces the local cash flow from resident to resident. |