By Michael Howell
The Ravalli County Economic Development Agency sponsored its third annual Small Business Celebration at the Bitterroot River Inn in Hamilton last week. According to RCEDA Economic Development Specialist John Schneeberger, over twenty local vendors participated in the event and around 100 members of the public attended. That’s up from 60 last year, he said.
Among the businesses honored at the event were Laura Garber and Henry Wuensche of Homestead Organics Farm and Beau McLean and Christopher Greene of Living River Farms. The two businesses partnered up and, along with help from RCEDA , opened up the first cooperatively owned and operated poultry processing plant in the nation. The processing facility is located at Homestead Organics Farm south of Hamilton and is operated by McLean and Greene.
Attendees at the celebration got an early taste of Thanksgiving dinner catered by Homestead Organics and featuring their own organic free-range turkeys and pasture raised chickens provided by Living River Farms. The birds were served with a light tarragon sauce on a pretzel bread baguette made by Sylvia Allen, owner of an authentic German bakery in Stevensville, called Alpenstuble.
Also honored at the event was Larry Lockhart of FreightMonster, who was recognized for the job-producing expansion and diversification of his business. While majoring in heavy haul freight shipping and logistical services, the company has branched out into cell phone repair, computer repair, data recovery and IT support with its TechMonster, Streamline and Western Data Recovery businesses.
Honored at the event, but not present, were Lindsay and Nathan Bean of B.E. Forest Products for their business expansion and development and Doug Davis for his years of service on the RCEDA Board and as long-time Treasurer.
Paul Travitz from the Ravalli County Council on Aging spoke to attendees about the new Riverside Crossing Adult Cottage Cooperative, a housing development for active seniors, surrounding the current Council on Aging facility on Old Corvallis Road.
Peter Van Tyne, speaking on behalf of the Bitter Root Stock Farm, told the audience that they were considering the development of a food processing facility as part of the Targeted Economic Development District that includes the Ravalli County Airport.