Big Sky Strategic Plan

In January, 2003, the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce was approached by Jack Eakman, of Dimension 3 Associates, with an offer to facilitate the creation of a strategic plan for the Chamber. A meeting was called with representatives of a wide variety of stakeholders, including persons from the business community, the various resorts & developments, the various governing "districts" and volunteer organizations, fire department, school, clergy etc.

A series of brainstorming sessions ensued, and it became apparent that any discussion of a strategic plan for the Chamber was really a discussion of a strategic plan for the Big Sky community. As Big Sky grows, the community faces several issues and challenges. The group identified a list of what they perceived the most important issues at hand today.

The next step was to find out if those issues identified by the group represented the views of the community at large. In March of 2004, the Chamber funded a survey sent to all Big Sky PO box holders and residents of the Gallatin Canyon from the 320 Ranch to Karst. The survey results validated the findings of the initial group.

The top five issues/concerns identified by the survey were Growth & Development, Housing Challenges, Business Health, Preservation of the Environment and Lack of a Community Infrastructure. Jack Eakman recommended that "Solution Groups" be formed to address these issues, with the goal of formulating Action Plans by March, 2005. It was agreed that The Environment and Growth issues were inseparable, so four Solution Groups were formed.

Marne Hayes, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce assembled volunteer chairpersons for each group, and public meetings and notices were had to solicit participation from the community. David O'Connor was named chairperson of the steering committee overseeing the effort, and Jack Eakman remains as facilitator of each group's meetings. The steering committee is composed of the Chamber board of directors, the chairpersons of each solution group and Jack.

The Solution Group chairpersons are:

Infrastructure:   Kate Wilson

Growth & Development:  Jon Holtzman

Housing:  Dave Schwalbe

Business:  Bob Biggerstaff

Each group is composed of 10-12 volunteers, and meets approximately twice a month. This web site is to help keep interested parties informed of the groups' activities and progress.

The efforts of the chairpersons and all the solution group members cannot be commended highly enough. This is a group with no budget, and all participants are giving generously of their time, experience and expertise in an effort to preserve and enhance the quality of life we enjoy here in Big Sky.

Growth & Development Solution Group

Community Infrastructure Solution Group

Housing Challenges Solution Group