Chamber plans to amp up tourism around the county

THOMPSON FALLS – The Chamber of Commerce hosted three different speakers on Friday, covering a variety of different topics that affect the local community.

First, Jen Kreiner with Sanders County Community Development and Tour 200, gave an overview of the services they offer as well as an update on what is going on throughout the communities in the county.

Kreiner explained they offer business education and consultation for both pre-venture start up and existing business, revolving loan funds for micro loans and free workshops through Lake County Community Development, their regional partner.

The organization helped the Hot Springs Clinic project, a satellite clinic for the Clark Fork Valley Hospital, facilitate a $450,000 grant, contributing to the local fundraising efforts that helped finish the reconstruction and close out the process.

“It’s exciting to be able to be done with that, see the benefits and move forward with new community projects,” said Kreiner.

Currently the organization is taking part in the Thompson Falls Trails Committee by becoming their fiscal agents for a grant that would help take the trail system to the next phase, attaching the Power Park Loop behind the Rimrock Lodge, under the bridge and to the State Park, which according to Kreiner will “essentially connect the state park to Main Street and the businesses there.”

As part of Tour 200, the group is reassessing tourism as an economic driver as part of economic development for Sanders County.

Kreiner applied to be a part of the Glacier Country Board as a facilitator and communicator to help bring more tourism money back into the county.

“It’s a frustrating structure. (The Glacier Country Board) set it up with the goal of having these seven regions equally marketing their groups but because we are so tucked away in our quiet, little northwest corner, it seems there’s a disconnect there. So that’ll be where my role will be, is stepping in as a communicator and just being a little louder,” said Kreiner, explaining her main goal on the board is to be a voice for Sanders County and bring back more of the tourism money to the area.

Also promoting tourism, the Sanders County Yard Sale event will take place on Friday June 28 through Sunday, June 30.

“We have 70 plus signed up, which is sales within sales within sales. That’s over 100 sales that will be occurring along 200 and up into Hot Springs,” said Kreiner, explaining that many sales are marked as one location but host numerous individual sales in the same location.

“I think the way we need to look at this event is it’s drawing in visitors outside of the county to really have a stimulating weekend for the businesses in those communities,” said Kreiner.

In 2011, $40,000 exchanged hands at the sales and according to Kreiner, that money did not include lodging facilities, gas stations and retail businesses.

The Ride Idaho event will also occur in Thompson Falls on August 6, bringing in 400 cyclists into the area. The Community Development group will use the opportunity as a fundraising activity, opening up a beer and wine garden to those in attendance. Kreiner hopes the fundraising efforts will bring in close to $1,500 to $2,000 to the organization.

Lindsey Davis then took the stage, discussing the Thompson Falls Farmers Market. This year the market is held at the Rose Garden Park on Main Street and Davis said the new location has been good for the market.

“We are looking to grow, we always need more vendors,” said Davis, stating she is looking for ways to bring in more sections of the community to reach as many people as possible.

“I want it to be a family place where kids come for activities, where teenagers want to come hang out and where seniors want to come and hang out. I want to reach everyone,” said Davis.

Currently the market is trying to get approved so it can accept SNAP or food stamps, which Davis hopes will make a big difference. The application process in complete and the market is awaiting to hear the decision.

Davis stated the market usually has between 13 to 15 vendors, although it is still early in the season.

“We get a lot more vendors when people have vegetables to bring,” said Davis.

The market is also expanding to bring prepared food to the attendees, providing good food and a place for the community to come and enjoy the summer days.

Then John Harris from the Lakeside Motel and Resort in Trout Creek also presented on an opportunity that would help generate tourism in Sanders County - an upcoming bass tournament he hopes to bring back into the county.

Bass Nation came to Trout Creek in 1993 and hosted the Northwestern Divisional Tournament (?).

Harris said food businesses, lodging facilities, hardware stores and mechanics from all over made a good profit.

He explained the dollars spent in the county went through several different hands in the community.

Two weeks ago the Chamber of Commerce sat down with Curtis Spindler (sp?) from the Bass Club to help establish guidelines and find a way to best suit those who would be coming in for the tournament if the submitted proposal went through.

The tournament, which would be held in 2014 would also host a youth tournament with high school and college teams participating the weekend before.

Tour 200 and Sanders County Community Development agreed to sponsor the catered dinner, one of the guidelines of having the tournament in Trout Creek, and agreed to pay up to $1,500 for the dinner.

Harris asked the Chamber if they would help come up with the other $1,500, which would be needed to lodge the employees in the area during the tournament.

The decision of whether or not the event will be held in Sanders County will come back in December.

“In 1993, they pre-fished for seven days and there were guys who came in two to three weeks beforehand (to scout the area),” said Harris, explaining the event draws many people in for long periods of time.

The tournament is a 14 state tournament and not only brings in fishermen but also their families who will be wandering around and exploring Sanders County, generating revenue for the local communities.

Harris stated he believes the event gave the county an economic jumpstart in a time when the tourist season has not picked up yet.

“I think this is going to bring in roughly around $200,000 into this community in a time when Spring is just starting to get going prior to summer and create a lot of revenue for a lot of businesses,” said Harris.