Volunteer for the 2018 Event at Rebecca Farm and you could win $250! See pg 3.
KALISPELL CHAMBER NEWSLETTER - JULY 2018 BYPASS GRANT GAINS MORE SUPPORT The Kalispell Chamber continues to gather support for a federal BUILD grant of $12-15M to expand the southern half of the bypass. Removing the roundabouts and widening the surface area to four-lanes, completing the full bypass project is a high priority of ours, and falls in line with our strategic initiative of accelerating infrastructure momentum. Last week, 15 NWMT civic advancement organizations signed onto a letter of support including chambers of commerce, tourism organizations, downtown associations, and economic development groups in Flathead, Lake, and Lincoln counties. Click here to see why these groups strongly support this regional transportation improvement.
OPEN-HOUSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON KALISPELL BYPASS EXPANSION Tuesday, July 10 | 11:00am-2:00pm and 5:00pm-7:00pm | Kalispell Chamber of Commerce To aid in the application for the $12-15M federal BUILD grant to support the expansion of the southern-half of the Kalispell bypass, and to begin to better understand public need, we are coming together with the City of Kalispell, Flathead County, and the Montana Department of Transportation to host an open house on Tuesday, July 10 to gain public comment on the enormous project. If awarded the grant, the road would widen to the end of the sound-walls that are currently in place, and include the removal of current roundabouts, widen the surface to four lanes, and improve access via full interchanges, overpasses, and access ramps. We encourage you to stop by this event to see additional proposed expansion ideas and to add your input as to how you would like to see the project unfold. Please share this event with your network.
ALL ABOARD THE FAR WEST: FOUNDATION EVENT TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES Thursday, July 26 | 4:00-7:00pm | Flathead Lake Join us this month as we cruise around the pristine waters of Flathead Lake aboard the Far West. We’ll raise money to support the community development goals of the Kalispell Chamber Foundation, which this year include supporting projects like the FVCC Student Performing Arts Center, the ALERT helicopter program, scholarships for FVCC students pursuing occupational trades, and advocacy for the BUILD grant that could help expand the southern-half of the Kalispell Bypass. Tickets are $50 each ($450 for 10), and a maximum of 140 tickets will be sold. Click here to purchase tickets.
SKQ DAM TOUR Sixteen members of our Government Affairs Committee and Board of Directors toured the SKQ dam in Polson on June 25, at the invitation of Brian Lipscomb, the CEO of Energy Keepers. Our thanks to Brian and the CSKT Tribe for arranging this informative and spectacular tour that helped us learn more about how Flathead Lake is helping to provide energy to so many different sources.
KALISPELL CHAMBER SUPPORTS A.E.R.O. The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitor Bureau will make a contribution of $5,000 to support the Glacier Airline Enhancement and Retention Outreach efforts. AERO is the private, non-profit organization that works to secure funding for minimum revenue guarantees and federal grants to further expand commercial air service to the Flathead Valley. Top priorities for service now include: summer seasonal-direct service to Dallas on American Airlines, and continued winter seasonal-direct service to Chicago and San Francisco. We encourage all of you to learn more about Glacier AERO and make a financial contribution.
THINKING THURSDAY: Thursday, July 19 | 8:30 - 10:00am | Kalispell Chamber
Are you an employer that is as confused as everyone else about health insurance? Join us for our July Thinking Thursday with HUB International to explore your health insurance options. Winston Waters will dive into self-funded health plan options outside of your traditional providers. “Employers, by and large, have only seen traditional Blue Cross Blue Shield and Pacific Source health plans, however, a recent conference showed that by 2020 over 80% of health plans will be partially self-funded or reference-based priced,” said Winston. We’d like to help you better understand health plans and put you back in the driver’s seat. This event is free but limited to the first 35 people who sign up here.
INVASIVE SPECIES OUTREACH FOR MONTANA: CLEAN. DRAIN. DRY Aquatic invasive species are non-native species that can adversely impact our environment and economy, and aquatic invasive species prevention is a high priority for Montana. Please help remind all visitors and your neighbors that watercraft inspections are mandatory for all passing watercraft, including motorized, commercially hauled, and non-motorized boats (canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, rafts, drift-boats, etc). Inspection stations can be found at http://cleandraindry.mt.gov/
IT TAKES A VILLAGE: VOLUNTEER FOR THE EVENT AT REBECCA FARM! Volunteering for The Event at Rebecca Farm is a ton of fun! As part of their team, you can get up close to the action and support a local non-profit event that has a huge economic impact on the Flathead Valley. Volunteer opportunities are diverse and can include help with Dressage, Cross-Country, and Show Jumping, stabling security, helping in the hospitality tent, directing cars and pedestrians, helping with the 5K Fun Run, and more. BONUS! When you sign up online to volunteer, if you say you’re with the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce (it will ask if you are part of a specific group), we will enter you into a drawing to win a $200 cash card!
KCVB SHOWS OFF MEETING OPPORTUNITIES
During our recent familiarization tours, we promoted our lodging facilities, Kalispell’s finest off-site venues, enjoyed local flavors and culture, and experienced Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, and other unique activities to secure future meetings and conferences for Kalispell. The Kalispell conference properties – Hilton Garden Inn and Red Lion Hotel accommodated the planners and demonstrated true Montana hospitality. No meeting planner comes to our destination without knowing what we have to offer. Read the summer e-news sent to qualified meeting planners interested in Montana.
REGISTER FOR THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL!
There’s still time to get your team together for this year’s festival. Almost everyone can be a dragon boater and the sport offers one of the best team building opportunities available for businesses, families, friends, churches, and all kinds of organizations. Teams consist of 20 paddlers and a drummer - everything else is provided as part of your registration: experienced steerers, boats, paddles and PFD’s. Summer practices are available with the Flathead DragonFlies who can show you everything you need to know to paddle in the festival. Register here! Jump on board as an event sponsor! Sponsors are what make this free, public event possible. For sponsorship information, contact Vonnie Day at (406) 758-2809.
4TH OF JULY
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Click each for more information
Enjoy Lakeside’s Famous Fireworks Display! Tune in to 107.3 FM at 10:30 // Show starts at 11
JUL 4
Kalispell 4th of July Parade 10:00am | Main St. Kalispell
JUL 9 This annual event is made possible by your generous support! LakesideSomersChamber.org/Fireworks
From the Alps to the Adriatic 2019 - Kickoff Meeting 5:30 - 6:30pm | Hilton Garden Inn
JUL 10
Kalispell Bypass Public Comment Open House 11:00am-2:00pm and 5:00pm-7:00pm | Kalispell Chamber
JUL 10
UNWIND with Mann Mortgage
5:00 - 6:30pm | 1222 Whitefish Stage, Kalispell
JUL 18
FAYP Espresso Yourself: Bringing a Rogue Meeting Back on Track 8:00-9:00am | Kalispell Chamber
JUL 19
Thinking Thursday: Putting You Back in the Driver’s Seat of Your Healthcare Benefits Plan 8:30-10:00am | Kalispell Chamber
JUL 24
Celebrate This Year’s 20 Under 40 Winners 6:00-9:00pm | Dancing Spirit Ranch
JUL 26
Kalispell Chamber Foundation Cruise on the Lake 4:00-7:00pm | Far West Boat Tours
AUG 18
4-H & FFA Market Livestock Sale at the NWMT Fair & Rodeo 8:00am | NWMT Fair Trade Center Building
UPCOMING RIBBON CUTTING EVENTS Kalispell 501 South Main 752-7606
Whitefish 1581 Baker Ave 862-3094
w w w. a lli a nc eti tl e.c o m
NATIONAL GUARD DRAGON BOAT TEAM SEEKING SPECIAL SPONSORS Kalispell recruiter Sergeant Tavia Moschetti has put together a Dragon Boat team of 23 National Guard members from across Montana. Michael Hebert with Farmers Insurance and Defiance Machine have each pledged $250 to pay for registration and a summer practice for this team. Two more $250 sponsors are needed to make it possible for the MT National Guard team to compete in the festival. Contact Vonnie if you can help, 7582809 or Vonnie@discoverkalispell.com.
• July 6: Bias Brewing Company, 4:00pm (401 1st Ave E, Kalispell) • July 11: Albertson’s, 10:00am (900 W Idaho St, Kalispell) • July 18: InnSpace, 4:30pm (165 Commons Loop Ste D, Kalispell) • July 25: Costa Vida, 4:00pm (2286 HWY 93N #D101, Kalispell) • July 27: eXp Realty, 5:30pm (Woodland Water Park, Kalispell) Be sure to check out our Facebook page for more details!
JULY MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES
30+ YEARS
• Rocky Mountain HI RV Park & Campground
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
15 YEARS
• Park Side Credit Union • Pella Windows & Doors
5 YEARS
• Kenco Security & Technology • Sykes Pharmacy, Inc.
1 YEAR • • • • • • •
A Dream Boutique Bigfork Art & Cultural Center Blanc Media & Marketing Crown Real Estate Group Jamie Wyman Music NWMT HR Solutions LLC Westcraft Homes
FROM THE ALPS TO THE ADRIATIC ITALY • SLOVENIA • CROATIA
9 days, 7 nights, including hotels, meals, day trips, and airfare from Kalispell, MT
INFORMATIONAL KICKOFF MEETING
MONDAY, JULY 9 5:30-6:30PM
HILTON GARDEN INN - KALISPELL
If you’re interested in this trip and would like to learn more, please attend this meeting. RSVP to (406) 758-2803 or info@kalispellchamber.com From the enchanting Adriatic coastline, to silver lakes and Alpine peaks, medieval castles, and Italian inspired architecture, our tour uncovers the wealth of natural beauty and cultural history of Slovenia. Away from big crowds, you will experience an unusual and engaging cultural blend of some of Europe’s least-discovered landscapes and towns. In addition to Slovenia, visit Croatia, and explore a Tuscan-like Istrian peninsula crammed with hill-top villages and rolling hills of vineyards and olive groves. Explore these hidden gems of Europe from the luxurious Kempinski Palace Hotel, which will be your home for five nights, and conclude your journey with a two-night stay in ever so magical Venice - with the option to add two more! Early-bird pricing of $3,199 double-occupancy available until October 26, 2018, after which registrations will increase $100 ($3,299 per person). Single occupancy add $599. Two-night extension in Venice available for $599 per person, or $798 single occupancy.