Speech
International Malting Company Announcement
Remarks of Governor Judy Martz
Great Falls - City Hall
3/25/2003
Thank you, Mayor Gray, and my sincere thanks to Chris Mulder for being here to make this major announcement.
On behalf of the State of Montana, we are absolutely delighted that you have chosen our state to expand your business, and that you have finalized the necessary contracts to move forward with this project.
From the state and local business development perspectives, we couldn’t be more pleased. Locating a malt processing facility right here in Great Falls makes perfect sense. With our high quality malt barley in the golden triangle and throughout the state, we are in a perfect position to join with a partner like International Malting to help their business and our agricultural industry grow.
As we all know, agriculture is our state’s largest industry. For too many years, however, we have let the true value of our top quality crops and livestock literally slip through our hands – sending our commodities out of state for processing elsewhere.
Just over three years ago, leaders in our agricultural industry started on an endeavor to double the industry’s value by the year 2005. They set measurable goals to help grow and expand agriculture in our state. They also supported the resources necessary for our state to target specific industries to locate here, including malt facilities.
Their vision and foresight has truly paid off for Montanans. With projects like the one we are here to announce this morning, we take one step closer to reaching the goal of doubling the value of agriculture by 2005.
My sincere thanks to Chris for being here today, and for choosing Great Falls, Montana as the location for your expansion.
My thanks also to Mayor Gray and the City of Great Falls for your hard work, and to Agriculture Director Ralph Peck and his staff, Chief Business Officer Dave Gibson and the staff at the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, and to John Kramer and the staff at the Great Falls Economic Development Authority for the work that you have all done together.
This is truly a team effort. We are pleased to be a part of the work leading up to today’s announcement, and to join with you today in letting the people of Great Falls know of this exciting new venture.
Thank you.
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