Previous Chamber positions

Opposition to Open Space Bond/Conservation Levy

Over the past few years, residents and businesses in Missoula have seen significant increases in their tax burden with the passage of several bonds compounded by a significant increase in property value assessments. While this bond is well-intentioned and preserves what we all love about Missoula, one of the largest issues impacting workforce in our community is the lack of attainable housing. Until the issue of attainable housing has been addressed, we feel it is inappropriate to devote further tax dollars to removing developable land from the market. (Read the full statement HERE)

Support for I-185 - Medicaid Expansion/Tobacco Tax

The expansion of Medicaid is an important issue for our community, as access to quality healthcare helps citizens return (remain) to the workforce, creating a larger talent pool for the many businesses in Missoula. Though we support the initiative, we have deep concerns surrounding the funding source and the manner in which this initiative has come forward. We urge our state legislators to take up this issue during the 2019 Legislative session to find a more equitable and stable source of funding for Medicaid Expansion. (Read the full statement HERE)

Opposition to Building As Sign - Zoning update

The Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce is opposing the proposed zoning update (20.75.170 H), referred to as “Building As Sign.” The Chamber feels this ordinance would unreasonably restrict architectural choices and branding options for businesses within the community. It could also lead to increases in commercial development costs due to a longer, more involved process. Read the letter sent to city council HERE.

Support for 2018 MCPS  School Levies

The Missoula Chamber of Commerce supports the 2018 Missoula County Public Schools Elementary and High School levy requests. These levies are important for the schools continuing operations and preparing students for higher education and the work force. The letter of support sent to the schools can be viewed/downloaded HERE.

Opposition to Cemetery plan to sell monuments

The Missoula Cemetery board pursued a plan to begin creating and selling cemetery monuments. The plan would have directly competed with monument dealers in the private sector. The Chamber is opposed to government entities taking over services currently being served by private business. The Chamber submitted a letter in support of our members in this industry and asked the city to reconsider the current plan. You can read the letter submitted to the city Here.

Opposition to narrowing of 5th/6th Streets

The City of Missoula decided to narrow 5th and 6th streets from their current 2-lane configuration to 1-lane with a "buffered" bike lane. The Chamber opposed this proposal. It is important for commerce to keep traffic moving and 5th and 6th streets are important corridors for moving products, workers and customers across town. Removing lanes may slow traffic and make transportation logistics more difficult for businesses in that area of the city.

Involvement with City of Missoula's Sign Ordinance

Businesses have long relied on signs to market their goods and services. Today, electronic signs with lighted dynamic displays have seen increasing use in our community.  In 2009, the City of Missoula passed an ordinance regulating electronic sign displays.  This ordinance carries specific prohibitions of certain types of signs and displays, as well as zoning restrictions and other regulations.  The Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce has since taken a leading role in informing local businesses of the contents of the sign ordinance, as well as in encouraging and assisting in compliance. The Missoula Chamber will continue to monitor any potential changes to the City sign ordinance and to provide compliance-related information.   

Deconstruction of the Missoula Mercantile

In 2016, the Chamber issued a statement encouraging city decision makers to approve the necessary permits to allow development of the Mercantile site to proceed. The City Council voted to approve the deconstruction of the Mercantile, beginning with remediation of asbestos. The Missoula Historic Preservation Commission appealed the permit in district court. The court ruled in favor of the city and the developers and deconstruction of the old Mercantile building has began. The old Mercantile has been replaced by a new hotel serving the downtown area with restaurants and extended-stay options.

Construction of the Missoula College campus

The Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce supported funding for the current Missoula College location along East Broadway. The modern campus ensures tomorrow"s workforce will be learning in the best environment possible - benefiting the students as well as the community as a whole. The Chamber lobbied on behalf of the college to ensure funding was allocated and legislation directing the new campus to be built was supported.