Highway 2 Association pushes its agenda to Havre City Council

Montana, North Dakota, Saskatchewan and Alberta have the potential to become "the golden economic zone," and the Hi-Line ought to prepare to become part of the economic boom.

That was the advice for the Havre City Council Monday night from Bob Sivertsen, the president of the Highway 2 Association.

The Hi-Line could become a manufacturing and transportation hub if a sound transportation system is established here, Sivertsen told council members.

And expanding Highway 2 from two lanes to four lanes would help do that, he said.

Sivertsen was trying to convince council to reverse its stand and rejoin the Highway 2 Association, a group that advocates making the highway four lanes across the state.

He said every other municipality in Hill and Blaine counties is a member, he said.

He pointed to several boom towns in Alberta and Saskatchewan that are bustling because of oil development or progressive, business-friendly government in that area.

Many would like to export products to the United States, he said. Some already buy parts for their operations that are made in Great Falls and other Montana locations.

If Highway 2 were widened, it would make it easier for those kinds of businesses to set up shop along the Hi-Line, he said.

He predicted that the Bakken oil boom would continue and expand along the Hi-Line.

He said he has been told by experts that "in 30 years, Culbertson will be the new Williston." Williston is the North Dakota city that is at the epicenter of the oil boom. It has seen tremendous economic benefits from the boom, but has also suffered from the sudden and unplanned growth.

Sivertsen said the Hi-Line can enjoy the benefits, and if it plans well, can avoid the pitfalls.

Council members thanked Sivertsen for his presentation but made no effort to reverse the decision to let the city's membership lapse.