Kellogg Gets Help Finding Resort Partner

The city of Kellogg on Wednesday moved a step closer to finding a new partner for its Silver Mountain resort.

To help with the search, Von Roll Transport Co. has contracted with The Finch Group, a firm that specializes in selling ski resorts.

Von Roll, a subsidiary of its Swiss steel manufacturing conglomerate, wants out of the ski resort business.

The buyer won’t buy out the city’s stake in Silver, said Kellogg Mayor Mervin Hill.

“Nothing’s changed in where the city sits with the resort,” he said.

The 5-year-old resort was built with $17 million in Von Roll-backed bonds, $6.4 million in federal money and $2 million from Kellogg taxpayers spread over 20 years.

Silver Mountain struggled initially, but has improved financially.

The resort expects 20 percent more revenue this season over last year, said Tim Newhart, marketing director for Silver.

Silver’s board of directors, composed of officials from Kellogg and Von Roll, expressed support for the current Hagadone Hospitality management, Newhart said.

The resort won’t change any of its operations while the search for a new partner proceeds, he said.

“We’re not going to mess with our success,” Newhart said.

“I don’t know how much better we could be doing at this point.”

The possibility of a new business partner with potentially deeper pockets than Von Roll Transport excites Silver General Manager Terry Turnbow.

“This gives us a wonderful chance to form a partnership with an investor that has the desire and means to develop Silver Mountain to its fullest potential,” he said in a statement.

No timetable for finding a new financial backer has been set, Newhart said.

“As soon as possible,” said Hill, a Silver board member.