A co-chairman of Gov. Steve Bullock’s Main Street Montana Project laid out the fundamentals of a state economic development blueprint at the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce meeting Tuesday, calling it a plan that is “practical and achievable.”

Larry Simkins, chief executive officer of the Washington Companies, was in Kalispell to talk about the statewide initiative.

He and Bill Johnstone, chairman and chief executive officer of Davidson Companies, were tasked by the governor to lead the effort to create a business plan for the Main Street Montana Project.

It has been a nonpartisan effort driven by the private sector, Simkins said. A core group of economic development leaders traveled the state, holding roundtable discussions in seven regions. An online survey allowed each county to expand on local concerns and ideas.

The group also met with business, industry and labor leaders, local government officials, civic and tribal leaders and educators. A similar effort in Colorado provided insight on how to set up the plan for Montana.

“This is not a plan where we sat in a room and patted each other on the back,” Simkins said.

Once the core group had gathered its input and data, five overarching themes were developed.

The themes are familiar to economic development leaders: Train and educate tomorrow’s work force; create a climate that attracts, retains and grows business; build upon Montana’s economic foundation; market Montana; and nurture emerging industries and businesses and encourage innovation.

“The state won’t supplant what local economic development groups are doing, but will support them,” Simkins stressed.

The 96-page blueprint maps out objectives, tasks and implementation leaders for each of the five themes.

It also outlines 11 key industry networks that will be engaged in a formal partnership directed by the Governor’s Office. They include construction/housing, energy/infrastructure, health care, food/agriculture, natural resources, financial services, tourism, small business/downtowns, manufacturing, transportation and innovation/technology.

Mae Nan Ellingson, a retired public finance attorney from Missoula who helped with the plan, told the Chamber crowd that the governor has tasked all state departments with conducting a study “with an eye toward getting rid of archaic and redundant” regulations that may be hindering economic development in Montana. When Colorado conducted a similar study, it found about 6,000 regulations that could be eliminated, she said.

During the roundtable discussions, the group heard repeated comments about inconsistency in how local governments deal with economic development and permitting.

Simkins said the plan strives to establish accountability expectations and standards.

“We hope this format generates actionable items,” he said. “We didn’t want a plan that would sit on the shelf.”

Simkins expects a progress report by the first quarter of 2015 that will outline the challenges and adjustments needed to carry out the plan.

“This is a baseline that will change over time,” he said. “We want tangible results. Measurable goals, monitoring and follow-up are critical to sustain the Main Street Montana Project.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.