Young adults weigh in on Butte

By Erin Nicholes - 01/14/2006

While business leaders are trying to drum up ideas for propelling Butte in a new direction, young adults here are also addressing some tough questions about the future.

“How can we progress and improve our economy while preserving our cultural integrity?” Zac Thomas, 23, asked a group of about 30 people at the Dead Cat Cafe Thursday. “How do we make Butte so it’s not like, you stop, you hit the gas station and you get back on the highway?” The meeting, intended to brainstorm ideas and goals for Butte, drew a crowd loosely defined as young adults, ranging in age from late teens to early 30s.

“Butte’s strength and its weakness are the same thing: Individuality,” said Shawn Crowe, a spokesman for the Butte-Silver Bow Arts Foundation.

The meeting is one of several that will be held with various groups to spark community discussions about what Butte needs and wants.

Thursday’s group had no trouble listing Butte’s attributes, which included outdoor recreation, historic architecture and fun-loving people.

“Butte has a wonderful celebratory culture,” said Bob Brock, noting St. Patrick’s Day and Fourth of July celebrations.

But the group also easily identified obstacles, including methamphetamine, low commu-nity self-esteem and closed- mindedness.

“There’s kind of a pessimistic attitude among some of the young people in Butte,” said Katie Mulcaire-Jones, 18. “People just want to get out; they don’t want to do anything about (the economy).” The resistance to change is a hindrance to people eager to break the mold here, said Gary Warchola, 19.

“Sometimes there’s a headstrong attitude in Butte; people don’t want to try new things,” he said.

More specifically, Butte needs to focus less on drawing big-box stores and huge manufacturing plants, and more on growing small companies that reflect local culture and provide a living wage, Brock said.

“To commit so much energy to large-scale projects is something I would consider negative,” he said.

It’s also important to attract businesses that will improve the quality of life here; in other words, there are enough bars, casinos and pawn shops, said Timothy Mason, 37.

Local officials will use the information gathered to write an official business plan for Butte that will be completed this year, said Marko Lucich, executive director of the Butte Chamber of Commerce.

Erin Nicholes may be reached at erin.nicholes@mtstandard.com