Havre Daily News
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“Bird hunting takes a lot of preparation,” Peterson told nearly 100 people at the annual meeting Thursday night of Bear Paw Development Corp. “We have to have the right gun, the right caliber, the right ammo, plenty of fuel - should we take a cooler? Š no cooler - lots of food, good grub, and ask permission to hunt.”
And have the right hunting partners.
Peterson said Gov. Brian Schweitzer is ensuring that the right people are involved in the projects by forming coalitions of state agencies and getting interested citizens involved.
Under his direction, she said, her department, the Commerce Department, the governor's office of economic development and other agencies are pooling their knowledge and assets. By sharing their information, she said, agencies won't unnecessarily duplicate each other's work or “reinvent the wheel.”
The coalition will also make resources more accessible to producers, she said. That includes the creation of ag innovation centers where experts can provide producers with feasibility plans, action plans, studies, analysis and any other information they need.
“We can put that all together for economic development in Montana,” she added. “But we have to be sure to get permission Š and talk with the right people. Š Get everybody working together.”
The governor is stressing the involvement of Montana's residents in the government's efforts on their behalf, she said. Toward that end, he has made it possible for people to apply for membership on statewide committees by logging onto the state's Web site. “The governor is serious about open government in Montana and serious about citizens being involved in government in Montana,” she said. “If you're interested in any committee, sign on.”
She also said the development of renewable resources like ethanol and biodiesel is crucial to the state.
“We've been talking about it for decades,” she said.
She said it went beyond talk when Schweitzer committed $5 million per year for the next three years toward development of renewable energy. Six or seven ethanol projects have begun in the state, she said, and six of Montana's seven Indian reservations, including Rocky Boy, are working on renewable energy projects.
Her department is also continuing its fight against noxious weeds and working to promote the value-added program that encourages the manufacture of marketable products from raw produce.
“This is a great opportunity for economic development, adding value, ag innovation centers Š to put together and help people get ahead out there,” she said.
But all is not rosy, Peterson said, pointing an accusing finger at BNSF Railway and its shipping rates. Rates had been higher for Montana shippers than for out-of-state producers whose shipments came through Montana on their way to Portland, Ore. BNSF finally bowed to pressure and established rates based on mileage, she said, but the price of shipping is higher now than it was before.
Peterson blames that rise on the near monopoly BNSF has along the northern tier and the Pacific Coast. Now ag producers have taken the back seat to imports from Japan and other Pacific Rim countries, she said. Trains laden with Asian products headed for Chicago are bumping ag shipments off the line, she said. North Dakota, Washington state and Montana have united in the fight to get their products back on track.
“We have nowhere else to go with our ag products,” Peterson said.
Her agency is also working with the governor to protect Montana beef and develop oversees markets. That includes increasing inspections along the Canadian border to prevent mad cow disease from coming into the state.
Peterson also mentioned the threat of agri-terrorism and the need for the state to work closely with the Department of Homeland Security.
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