Editorial

The Great Northern Development Corp. and the Small Business Development Center should be commended for all of their work done recently for a successful third Minnow Tank Business Plan Competition.

I watched the competition’s finals event online and I was impressed with the great ideas from the 10 finalists to improve businesses throughout the area. Seven counties were involved including Roosevelt, Valley, Garfield, McCone, Richland, Sheridan and Daniels.

Each of the finalists should be thanked for trying to think outside the box with the goal of improving the economy of northeastern Montana. It’s exciting that the $5,000 winners were the Wolf Point Mercantile in the startup category and the Highway 2 Inn in Valley County in the existing business category.

Such endeavors are very beneficial if we want our area to grow. I’m glad that the Great Northern Development Corp. and Small Business Development Center were committed to this project, and that sponsors stepped forward to support the competition.

I remind area residents that our economy depends on them so be sure to support local businesses throughout the year.

Wolf Point Mayor Chris Dschaak said some words to remember during the finals’ competition. Dschaak said about GNDC, “The work they have done in Wolf Point alone is worth millions and millions of dollars.”