Destination: Havre

Without a doubt, we want to see our community thrive. Along with our friends and neighbors, we want to succeed and prosper. Now more than ever we need to consider all avenues to improve the economy, especially with our small businesses, bars and restaurants. While the world today has limitations, we must look ahead and be ready to maximize all avenues to encourage people to spend money, and more pointedly, spend it in our region. We need to make this area a destination. Montana’s top industry is tourism. Yet, I constantly meet people who have never been to Havre or north-central Montana.

What if we could get people from Bozeman’s to come to spend a long weekend here in Havre, hanging out at our breweries, our restaurants, staying in our hotels and shopping our stores? What if we could create a venue where people pilgrimage over from Kalispell or Billings, down from Calgary to take in an event? What if we made Havre a destination?

Back in the day when I was growing up, coming to Havre was a big deal. Sometimes it was a trip to see Dr. Elliott or to shop at Master Sports. At 12, it was at the Havre Holiday Village Mall where my mom finally let me get my ears pierced and where my brother spent hours in the arcade. When the “show house” closed in our hometown, we came — like so many still do — to Havre to see movies. Our ranch is 58 miles from Havre so when the speed limit was still 55, it felt like a long drive … and quite a destination.

So what if Havre became a true destination? Many, many people, even around Montana, have never been to this area. If you don’t hunt, have family here, have kids playing college or high school sports, have business with BNSF, sell farm equipment or are a politician, you may never have a reason to come to north-central Montana. People drive through on their way to Glacier or some take the train through Havre. We are a whistle-stop. You know what brings large groups of new people to Havre? It’s Montana State University-Northern. Now we have a new venue to make Havre a destination, the new Sports Complex.

Northern already has a $32 million economic impact on the area. And, while I know some people are hesitant to embrace the project, this complex is something the entire community needs. This field will be an economic driver for this area. This project not only is making such a dramatic impression on the campus, it will bring people to the Hi-Line.

And I know — not everyone is into football. But you need to think of the bigger picture. This structure can be used for so many different events in a beautiful space, unlike any other in a 100-mile radius. Car shows, concerts, summer camps and fundraisers will happen here. It can be used for large summer time parties and the MSU-N graduation. Potentially, the East/West Shrine game could come now that we have a viable turf field. And of course, it will help recruit students. Walk the campus — even during construction – and you feel this renewed energy and excitement. This is going to change lives.

Havre needs to create opportunities to improve the economic situation of the region, especially of our small businesses. We need a reason for people to come here. We need to invest in Havre, we need to invest in Northern.

And we still need your help. The MSU-N Foundation is looking to get over this last hurtle of fundraising. We are 83 percent to goal, but can’t do it without you. Don’t think of it as a gift to a football field. Consider it your investment in our businesses, our students and our community. Email us at [email protected], if you would like to help.

Let’s make the Hi-Line, Havre and Northern a destination.

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Shantel Cronk is executive director of Northern Alumni Foundation.