Company sets focus on creating jobs

MINERAL COUNTY - A nonprofit group is optimistic about rebuilding the Mineral County community in as little as five years.

Open Doors Inc. focuses on employing veterans and other low-income individuals who are in need of retraining in order to seek employment. The group is already working with the Mineral County Chamber of Commerce to bring 15,000-20,000 jobs to Mineral and Sanders counties, as well as other rural Montana areas.

The motive for Open Doors is to connect, undertake research and take action focused on preventing the demise of small town America. The groups purpose is to enhance the quality of life in rural America, while helping former members of the military and low-income people get jobs.

According to the 2010 census, Mineral County has one of the areas in the state with high unemployment.

“I know change is sometimes difficult, but I would think change would be the better alternative to leaving home and family to find work,” said Aggie Salisbury of Open Doors. “Everything planned would of course, have to be accepted by the good citizens of the areas in which we are planning, and by the city and county leaders who have the ultimate control over such things.”

Salisbury believes the Mineral County area can easily be resurrected and once again become the thriving community it once was.

She said the area’s focus should be to seek and apply for Economic Promotion Grants, and seek funding for micro loans to aid small business owners in their quest to build small businesses and expand existing ones.

Open Doors would invite other investors to come in, work with them and purchase empty, and semi-empty buildings in Superior.

The building of a vocational technical facility by private interests would be able to train people in all the trades, not only for those needed in the plans of Open Doors, but also for other manufacturing companies who have shown interest in the area and would possibly relocate here.

“There is so much potential here for retail, restaurants, stores, shops, tourist oriented, manufacturing and defense jobs, high technology and others. ” Salisbury said.

One way that Open Doors plans to boost the economy is to add a manufacturing plant between Superior and St. Regis off the Dry Creek exit on I-90. A plant would house and build Modular Net Zero homes. A future expansion of that area could include the ability to manufacture recreational vehicles. It would include a child care facility, a cafeteria, and a green house area to grow food for the cafeteria.

Salisbury stated Open Doors understands that not everyone would be open to the proposed initiatives. But, she believes change would be instrumental in keeping people in Mineral County, although it would be up to the community to decide whether or not they wanted this change.

“In no way does Open Doors want to mar the beauty, ecology or the environment of Montana,” Salisbury said. “Every building built and each one renovated will be completed with those factors in mind.”

Included in the plan would be the opportunity to work with high school business classes in Alberton, Superior and St. Regis. Salisbury said that students would have a chance to work on the redevelopment of their county, which would be an invaluable experience that could lead to further opportunity after graduation.

Salisbury also believes that the local schools and the hospital could benefit from working with private interests to enlarge, expand, and include public recreational areas to benefit the community.

“Growth, if done right, does not take away from an area, it can enhance it and make it better if the people want it,” Salisbury said. “So many people now travel to Missoula and Wallace, Idaho to shop, seek medical care, and for other types of errands. This is not necessary and could be done right here at home.”

In late July or early August, a few of the principals of Open Doors will arrive in Superior to hopefully close on buildings and land in the area, if plans are approved by both the county and the city.

Plans are currently being drawn now in order to present to the local governments.