| Republicans and Democrats awaited their turns at the podium
this fall to explain how they would turn this state's economy around, drag
us back from the bottomless pit.
But now a crisis has arisen - and an opportunity - and these
politicians are as silent as a December snowfall.
Montana sugar-beet farmers face the possible closure of the Western
Sugar plant in Billings. That would endanger the economic well being of
1,100 farmers growing 193,000 acres of sugar beets this year.
Al Jones, a regional development officer for the Economic Development
Division of the Montana Department of Commerce, said, "There's a
domino effect of damaging the malting barley business as well as the
cattle market which could have a crippling effect in this area which could
really hurt agriculture. For a fair number of growers, that could mean
losing the farm."
Jobs at stake
As agriculture goes in Montana, so goes the economy. At stake in
Billings is the possible loss of 600 jobs and a $50 million hole poked in
the city's economy.
Sugar beet growers in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska are
trying to buy Tate & Lyle LLC's Western Sugar Co.'s six refineries.
Tate & Lyle seems amenable to the plan. The company promised employees
that it wouldn't leave them high and dry.
But a glut of sugar on the world market and collapsing prices forced
the British firm to make hard decisions.
More help needed
Beet growers have begun assessing themselves $35 an acre to help fund
the purchase. More money is needed.
The only thing lacking in the process has been an effort by state
officials to smooth the way for the sale. All those politicians who
promised to help fix the state economy are standing by with their hands in
their pockets while this crisis/opportunity slips past unnoticed.
A couple of points might be considered here.
Some points to consider
First, establishing ethanol plants in Montana may be a wave of the
future in renewable energy sources. That will require large amounts of
sugar. Local ownership of sugar plants seems to fit into that picture. A
united effort to boost the profit from two sectors of Montana's
agricultural economy is certainly in the state's best interest.
Second, rather than spending all their time courting new businesses for
Montana - a Gazette employee recently commented that the effort is
analogous with going door-to-door to sell a car - we should be doing
everything we can to improve the strength and longevity of existing
businesses, especially those relating to agriculture.
Third, it's time all the promises from the last election are twisted
into reality. Public agencies should be doing what they can to make this
purchase possible. It's tough to catch that brass ring if you have your
hands in your pockets. |