Each year, over 130,000 Canadian tourists spend over $5.8 billion in Montana and many return to the state year after year. 

However, more industries than just tourism could benefit from cross-border traffic, a Canadian official said Wednesday in Kalispell.  

There are a variety of different resources U.S. businesses can use when looking to do business across the northern border, but many of these are unknown or rarely used, according to Jerome Pischella, the senior trade commissioner for the Consulate General of Canada. 

“The main thing that is not working locally is that we don’t know one another,” Pischella said during a meeting arranged by Montana West Economic Development to highlight the Consulate General of Canada and the resources Montana businesses can use to expand into Canada. 

Pischella cited several trade regulations that vary drastically between the United States and Canada that often deter businesses from attempting to expand north. 

In the past, businesses have been more likely to stick with what they know — bringing Canadian visitors to the valley — instead of trying to expand into Canada. 

Pischella instead encouraged business owners in the Flathead to look at different ways they could sell their products to Canadians, including working with Canadian businesses for manufacturing or product sales. 

He also suggested that businesses interested in expanding across the border contact the Consulate General of Canada, located in Denver. His office can provide appropriate contacts, information on different economic sectors and business options available in specific locations. 

For more information on the Consulate or to contact a representative, visit www.denver.gc.ca or call 303-626-0640.

Reporter Brianna Loper may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at bloper@dailyinterlake.com.