Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Little benefit from chamber

Little benefit from chamber

May 24, 2008 - 07:10:25 CDT

By SUSAN BEEHLER
Mandan

I think Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce membership for Morton County is not a good return on the taxpayer's investment.

At a recent Burleigh County Commission meeting, the commissioners also questioned whether they should belong to the chamber.

The issue of the group's supporting specific candidates came up. I see little benefit for the taxpayers who are county residents unless you believe $5,000 toward "good will" and $5,000 toward a Bismarck-Mandan study touted as a Mandan-Morton study is something Morton County should buy.

A proposal for another study was presented to the Mandan City Commission on May 20 by an out-of-state company, Market Street. It has not worked in the Midwest. It will use data based on Bismarck-Mandan MSA statistics from the federal government instead of using data on Mandan-Morton that could be obtained from North Dakota State University researchers. Mandan Mayor Ken LaMont bet me $1 this study would really look at Mandan-Morton County. I have my doubts.

The county had $1,000 budgeted to give to the chamber, and instead of needing $5,000 for membership, it is now going to be asking for a total of $10,000, also asking the school, park districts and businesses, too, but not the Bismarck-Burleigh government.

Bismarck also could pay, since Mandan-Morton residents drop so much of their money in Bismarck in the form of sales tax. Use some of Bismarck sales tax dollars too. What benefit do New Salem, Hebron, Flasher, Glen Ullin, Almont and all the places in Morton County receive from the chamber?

County government is not here to support every organization. This seems to be more about politics than actual benefit. The chamber is named Bismarck-Mandan, not Burleigh-Morton.

The chamber probably has many calls on Mandan since it has one of the best tourist attractions, Fort Lincoln, yet the chamber was not willing to build in Morton County.

A chamber is to support and provide services for business. Government should be all about serving the taxpayer, not just the taxpayer who is in business.

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Comments

To To Susan wrote on May 25, 2008 8:04 AM:

" Cabella's would be open 7 days a week, The events center maybe 2 to 3 days a week.
Do you think many businessess would move to Manda to be by something that is only open a few days a week?
Its time for Ms. Huber and the city to bring in some money instead of giving it away and spending it, from what Tim Helbling has said: "the ground work has been laid", now, lets see the results. "

To To Susan wrote on May 25, 2008 7:59 AM:

" The bottom line on the events center, it is projected to bring in around $12 million to the SURROUNDING areas, MANDAN would get about $1 million of this, or about $1 out of every $10 dollars. What more information do you need?
What fininicial institution would give any individual or business a loan for this type of projected return on investment? None that I'm aware of.
Dakota "

Earl wrote on May 24, 2008 9:33 PM:

" I don't think it's a matter of whining; I think it's a matter of having questions and wanting answers. Since when is it wrong, or considered whining, to have legit questions about where taxpayers money is going? "

Really wrote on May 24, 2008 9:28 PM:

" I know I'm going to call my local leaders on tuesday to find out some answers. How about anyone else out there? Lets all make a few calls. "

headlines wrote on May 24, 2008 9:26 PM:

" Ah! Finally! A headline that sums it up. "

memyselfandeyes wrote on May 24, 2008 9:11 PM:

" What do taxpayers get out of belonging to the chamber? Call your local commissioners and ask them. See if they know. I will be calling my Burleigh county commissioners myself on Tuesday morning to find out. You never know unless you ask. Oh, and I won't forget about my city leaders either. I strongly encourage others to do the same. PLEASE don't turn this into another "Bismarck has what Mandan wants". It's about spending our money. ESPECIALLY when they attend the mixers during campaign and voting season. What's that about? Sounds like a little clash if you ask me. "

To Susan wrote on May 24, 2008 2:18 PM:

" Has anyone every thought past the fog that we may need an events center to get the rest of the progress off the ground? Where else would it start? With businesses that open and close in the first quarter of operation? With businesses who are forced to close after years of operation? All this talk about bringing businesses in, and look at businesses that are closing in both cities here. Everyone thinks one or two box stores or little specialty stores is the answer, but I would probably attend events that attract me more than I would buy a camo vest at Cabella's. Not everything is a bad idea because someone else comes up with it. I think more research has been done on the events center than we can imagine, and more professional and knowledgeable opinions rendered than would even need to be. I will listen to those trained to research feasibility and potential over those who just argue about issues just because they can. "

Susan Beehler wrote on May 24, 2008 10:41 AM:

" To Susan, You have missed one point of my letter, the chamber will be asking Morton County for $5,000 to help fund this study and Morton County wasn't even willing to pay for a membership, now the Chamber will still come and ask for $5,000. As taxpayers membership in the chamber does not have to be an expense and neither does the study. Looking "bad" is a matter of perspective. What do taxpayers want? Personally I believe the data in this study will be tainted and this study will more than likely come out and say we need an event center. The timing is political and the businesses were the ones favoring an event center in the first survey, this study will probably solidify the "need" for the event center. "

cAHMBER Member wrote on May 24, 2008 10:40 AM:

" Instead of finding any and every way to criticize a progressive idea and the Chamber with more of the same negative attitude, Susan should view this as an opportunity to unify the community.

I think the point Susan is missing with this project is the Chamber only asked the public entities to contribute about a third of the money towards this study. The Chamber is raising $75,000 from the private sector to make it a public-private partnership to create a unified vision for Mandan. I am sure to raise that amount of money, the Chamber will be getting $$$ from businesses in Mandan AND Bismarck to support this study.

If it's an out of state firm and they are one of the best in the nation, why not use them? Do all good ideas only reside in the midwest? The issues with statistics is easily solveable and one I'm sure the Market Street will review if there are concerns.

Criticizing is easy. Stepping out as an organization to show leadership and try to unifity a community on a vision is not. I'm hoping the Chamber Succeeds.
"

rs wrote on May 24, 2008 9:00 AM:

" c'mon it is a great way for the wanna be big shots to get together and drink and act like they are really something in a big city ~what a joke "

To Susan wrote on May 24, 2008 8:49 AM:

" What more is there to talk about regarding this issue? The county didn't send in the required amount for membership, no problem, you don't pay, your not a member.
The problem with this is, budgeting $1,000 for a known expense of $5,000.
As a Mandan resident, regardless if the chamber is doing any good or not, don't make us look bad at sending in $4,000 short of the required membership, just simply pull out of the chamber.
Let this issue die, send in the other $4,000 or let it go.
Front page story on the Tribune was enough coverage for me.
The chamber might be a waste, but how much time and money have we wasted on a un-wanted and un-needed events center? that the city is looking for support from broke Morton county.
Dakota "

Grumpy Old Republican wrote on May 24, 2008 6:37 AM:

" I just contacted officials in Wisconsin, who will be sending a large emergency shipment of cheese to go with all that whine... "

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