Center is key to city's success

On Oct. 1, I moved my company warehouse and offices to the Bonner Business Center, otherwise known as the incubator. I had known about the incubator for many years. It was developed to help small business. I was very impressed by the professionalism and cooperation exhibited by the manager of the facility, Laurie Katana.

After one week and quite a bit of money spent to be here, I heard rumors that the city was talking about closing the kitchen and possibly the business center. Of course, I was very alarmed. I called the mayor and asked him directly, if this was true. He said it was true about the kitchen but because of the type of loan, they could not touch the center for many years.

In late October, Laurie Katana told me that she was going to be gone for the next week and that the mayor, city attorney and a couple of council people were going to fill in for her. This concerned me because this is not what I signed on for. That is, to have part-time politicians, full-time attorneys and elected officials, answer phones, represent my company and take orders

What really concerned me is, the lack of professionalism and lack of courtesy by the people mentioned above. No contact, no letters, no e-mails, no phone calls were made to the tenants prior to this event. I was livid that my livelihood was possibly going to he affected by some bureaucratic decision makers. I understand how budgets effect both city government and private business. Cuts have to be made, but to cut an area that is in place to help small business create jobs is questionable.

On Nov. 7-8, my company had the pleasure of exhibiting at the Woman's Health Show in Spokane, sponsored by Sacred Heart Hospital. Women came from all over the Inland Northwest. I had five different conversations where I mentioned we were located at the Bonner Business Center. I was amazed at the comments, isn't that closed down, aren't the going to close that, isn't that a good thing, to help create jobs. Instead of selling my tea. I found myself describing what our city government was going to do from my perspective. Why I say, my perspective, is because I had not heard one word from my landlord, the city of Sandpoint, of any decision that may or may not affect my company, my livelihood and my two new employee's jobs. By the way, by moving here, it allowed me to hire two more people.

In closing, I would like to say that the Bonner Business Center is as viable today as it as 13 years ago when it was the darling of Sandpoint and yes, the Inland Northwest. We have the only kitchen in the Inland Northwest and are envied by many people out of the area. The only thing that could jeopardize this is the management and I don't mean Laurie Katana, she is more then competent. Our city government of Sandpoint has the opportunity to put a good face on business opportunities for companies contemplating moving to this area. This example is not one of them. I felt this issue should he brought to the attention of the city government of Sandpoint and the taxpayers of this fine city we live and do business in.

DAN GARCIA

Sandpoint