Recently in Missoula County Category
WGM is expanding to include an Industrial Design Division with three engineers formerly employed by the vacant Smurfit-Stone Container Mill (SSC). The 2010 closure of the SSC Mill in Frenchtown, MT resulted in hundreds of talented employees, contractors and consultants abruptly finding themselves jobless. Among the unemployed are experienced engineers who have expert knowledge related to operations, resources, and potential for the facility. The Mill is a high value asset that is likely to be included in the final settlement of the Smurfit-Stone bankruptcy proceedings. Current discussions being held by potential buyers will ultimately play a significant role in shaping Missoula's economic landscape.
While the closing has devastated the economy of Missoula and surrounding areas, WGM Group believes that there is great opportunity, if action is taken quickly, to take advantage of the new cellulose economy. Cellulose from trees has traditionally been used to manufacture paper and linerboard at the SSC Plant. New processes are being developed to convert cellulose to sugar. These sugars could replace corn and petroleum as a low cost input for the manufacture of many products. This will potentially create a market for a sustainable and renewable source of cellulose, a plentiful natural resource in Montana. The new Industrial Design Division seeks to bring large and small cellulose conversion industries into Montana.
Construction plans were released this week for prospective bidders on the Miller Creek Road Improvements project in Missoula. The project consists of reconstructing approximately 3,400 feet of Miller Creek Road from Briggs Street to Mockingbird Way, including approximately 500 feet of Lower Miller Creek Road. A roundabout will be installed at the intersection of Upper and Lower Miller Creek Roads, as well as new curb and gutter, sidewalk, bike lanes, lighting, storm drainage, sanitary sewer, signing, striping and landscaping.
Teaming up with the Missoula MPO, WGM Group contributed its time and talent to develop a grant proposal for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program. If successful, this 19.6 million dollar grant would complete a funding package for bike lanes, sidewalks, and paths throughout Missoula, Montana.Hopes are high with the goodwill that this proposal generated. The grant request received letters of support from Mayor Jon Engan, Senator Max Baucus, and Senator Jon Tester, as well as numerous community-base entities including The University of Montana, Center for the Rocky Mountain West, and homeWord.
We are happy to announce that MaryEllen Campbell, a distinguished professor at the University of Montana School of Business has been approved as a member of the Board of Directors at WGM Group. We feel that is important to have an outside director on our board to bring sound fundamentals, new ideas and a fresh perspectives to our company. The board is a critical part of our company in setting policy, determining strategies, and providing fiduciary oversight for the company.
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