St. Patrick’s Day Parade - March 17, 4:00pm, Main Street, Kalispell
KALISPELL CHAMBER NEWSLETTER - MARCH 2019 EDUCATION & WORKFORCE LUNCHEON TO FEATURE UPDATES ON KALISPELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND FLATHEAD VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE Tuesday, March 26 | 11:45am - 1:15pm | Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell | $20 member/$25 non-member Our March 26 luncheon will address the critical challenge businesses face for qualified workers and the steps the Chamber is taking with our education and workforce partners to ensure that local employers have a steady supply of talented, hard-working people to do the work of a modern economy. We will hear from community college president, Jane Karas, about new programs at FVCC and their ONE Campaign to construct a new library, student center, and performing arts and lecture hall. Kalispell Schools superintendent Mark Flatau will provide an update on K-12 education and the high school district operating levy request coming on the May 7 ballot. Click here to register. Future luncheon programs include: April 16 2019 Highway Projects with Ed Toavs, Region 1 Administrator, MT Dept. of Transportation May 21 Tourism and the Northwest Montana Economy June 18 3rd Annual 20 Under 40 Awards
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DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION CENTER: NO SHORTAGE OF INVESTMENT INCENTIVES FOR DOWNTOWN KALISPELL At the Chamber luncheon on February 19, the audience heard from three speakers on new and emerging incentives for development in downtown Kalispell. City Manager Doug Russell, CPA Bryson Pelc with Jordahl and Sliter, and Libby Addington of MoFi in Missoula described how New Market Tax Credits, Economic Opportunity Zone tax deferments, and tax increment financing will help downtown investment become increasingly attractive for developers and investors. For further information, on these incentives, click: • Downtown development incentives luncheon presentation • Map of downtown incentive zones The Development Information Center is a branded program of the Kalispell Chamber, created for the purpose of informing developers, the public, and our members about the tremendous investment opportunities available in the third fastest growing micropolitan area in the United States. Early work of the Center includes a special focus on the urban renewal area of downtown Kalispell and the unique set of incentives available there, including: B3 high density zone, two tax increment financing districts, new market tax credits, and a federally designated economic opportunity zone.
IN THE NEWS Economists Highlight Resiliency of Flathead Valley, Daily Inter Lake Economist: Innovation Needed In Affordable Housing, Daily Inter Lake No Shortage of Incentives for Downtown Development, Daily Inter Lake Meeting of the Maker Minds, Flathead Beacon
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE: Here are some of the bills on which the Chamber has taken action since the last newsletter. HB 32 Revise laws related to aquatic invasive species – support: AIS in Montana would have a $200M+ adverse economic impact on property values. HB 194 Revise lodging and rental car taxes including local option – oppose: This bill would provide authority to local government to raise taxes on lodging and rental cars. The Chamber is opposed to legislation which diminishes or diverts lodging taxes for non-tourism purposes. The House adopted an adverse committee report on this bill. HB 329 Provide funding for local emergency services – oppose: This bill would have diverted $14 million of tourism funding to counties for emergency services, eliminating nearly half of the budget for tourism funding. It was tabled in committee and likely dead. SB 182 Revise definition of microdistillery relating to production – support: This bill allows an increase in production for microdistilleries while still retaining their tasting rooms. There was no opposition to the bill in the hearing. It has passed the Senate and is scheduled for a hearing in the House on March 14. SB 183 Authorize the board of historical horse racing to conduct historical horse racing – support: This bill by Sen. Blasdel provides tool to help keep horse racing alive in Montana, where it has enjoyed such a rich tradition and history. The committee report has passed as amended.
SPECTRUM NEWS FEATURES OUR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS WORK ON IN-FOCUS HIGHLIGHT During the kickoff of the Montana State Legislature this year, we not only attended the Montana Chamber’s Business Days at the Capitol event, but hosted a round-table discussion between our members and the Flathead delegation of state senators and representatives. Spectrum News compiled a fantastic highlight of our event and the beginning the legislative session. Click the thumbnail to the left to watch
FLATHEAD AREA YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ESPRESSO YOURSELF: HOW TO IMPACT YOUR COMMUNITY AS A BOARD MEMBER Wednesday, March 20 | 8:00 - 9:00am | Kalispell Chamber Conference Room | Free for FAYP members
This month, Flathead Area Young Professionals will be bringing in Shelby Rogala and Emily Flemming from the Montana Nonprofit Association to talk about involvement on nonprofit boards. This training was developed to provide young professionals , emerging leaders, and potential board members an introduction to nonprofits, board responsibilities, and the basics of good governance. Participants will leave with an understanding of intentions for board membership, a plan for joining a board, and a few key insights to being a great board member. To learn more about Flathead Area Young Professionals, the high-performing development group for professionals ages 21-39, click here or visit the group’s Facebook page.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR 2019 MONTANA YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SUMMIT ANNOUNCED: JUSTIN SCHENCK OF THE GROWTH NOW MOVEMENT Flathead Area Young Professionals was selected as the host organization for the 2019 Montana Young Professional Summit, which will take place in Kalispell June 12-14. The group just announced the keynote speaker for this year’s event. Justin Schenck is the host of the top-rated podcast The Growth Now Movement and founder of Growth Now, LLC. Named last year as a Top 8 Podcaster to watch in 2018 by INC.com, Justin works with some of the world’s most elite entrepreneurs and influencers and is considered an icon of influence in the new media space. Click here for more information about Justin, the #MTYP2019 Summit, and to register for the event!
KALISPELL CONVENTION & VISITOR BUREAU DISCOVER KALISPELL HOSTS THE 2ND ANNUAL MONTANA INDOOR SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS, MARCH 15-17 Approximately 40 boys and girls teams from across the northwest USA and western Canada will compete at the Flathead County Trade Center Building on professional turf fields while using international futsol rules, regulations, field size, and equipment. SPONSORS NEEDED Interested in putting coupons in player welcome bags? Click here for sponsor opportunities. Contact Vonnie Day for information, 758-2809 or vonnie@discoverkalispell.com. VOLUNTEER Sign up to help with team check-in, hospitality or merchandise. Volunteers get free admission to the VIP refreshment area! Contact Vonnie for information 758-2809 or vonnie@discoverkalispell.com.
THE KCVB ENCOURAGES YOU TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOARDROOM
While promoting Kalispell as a meetings and groups destination, we routinely work with regional and national planners on the lookout for unique locations to hold meetings, events and activities. Planners have loved our suggestions of local museums, a cruise on the Far West, Bibler Gardens, and others. We’re adding to our inventory of unique venues and invite your recommendations for interesting locations, from rustic to luxurious, to host meetings. Have an interesting space you’d like to show off? Contact our Group Sales Manager Dawn Jackson, 758-2820, dawn@discoverkalispell.com.
LEADERSHIP FLATHEAD LEADERSHIP FLATHEAD EXPLORES PUBLIC SAFETY
Our leadership development program, Leadership Flathead, organizes a series of educational seminars for its participants, focusing on noteworthy issues facing our valley. Click here to learn more and to apply for the next class - applications are due May 1. Our February session day addressed public safety within our community and schools. Panelists and speakers expressed the importance of communication between law enforcement, emergency response agencies and our schools in order to keep our community safe. Northwest Montana is large, and Flathead County spans over 5,000 square miles. All agencies face issues of insufficient funding when dealing with increased population, visitor numbers and equipment expenses. Cooperation among agencies is vital for success, and public safety professionals protect us daily within their financial constraints. Our schools address safety through trainings such as Run Lock Fight, a national program designed in the event of an active shooter incident. School Resource Officers provide a connection between our schools and outside agencies such as CRYJ (Center for Restorative Youth Justice), an organization using a preventative versus reactive approach to student discipline with the the goal of keeping youth out of our juvenile justice system, creating stronger community connections, and empowering youth to make better decisions. Leadership Flathead aims to increase awareness of salient topics in our community and offers opportunities to gain involvement with local organizations.
MARCH 12: UNWIND WITH ROCKY MOUNTAIN BANK UNWIND with some of the Flathead’s finest business professionals while enjoying appetizers provided by the culinary students at Flathead High School. Adult beverages and Pepsi products will also be provided. Be sure to arrive early for a chance to win raffle baskets! No reservations needed. This event will run from 5:00 - 6:30pm at 2405 HWY 93 North, Kalispell.
MARCH THINKING THURSDAY: BE THE CHANGE! LEADING THE FLATHEAD Thursday, March 21 | 8:30 - 10:00am | Kalispell Chamber
In times of wrenching change, people desperately want to trust that their leaders have their best interests at heart. This Thinking Thursday seminar is all about sharing the essence of how to drive, embrace and implement change...on the job and in your life! Phil Quigley, founder of Quigley & Associates, will help you identify and develop skills for becoming a visionary leader who can get ahead of the curve and prime others in your organization to welcome change. You’ll learn how to... • Be ready to anticipate, embrace and implement disruptive change • Identify the 4 phases of change and maintain momentum • Build support while overcoming organizational resistance • Become a change champion, not a casualty • Lead your organization to positive change Phil honed his marketing, talent development, coaching, and cross-cultural communications skills in the emerging markets of Hong Kong, Korea, China, Singapore, Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan, and India, where he spent most of his 14-year career with Yahoo! He cut his entrepreneurial teeth as Vice President Sales for Axlon, a startup toy venture comprised of veteran Atari engineers and marketers. At the expense of well-funded, heavily entrenched competitors, he drove sales to the 12 million dollar level before helping to sell the company to Hasbro. This event is completely free, but limited to the first 35 people who register here.
ABC CLINIC RETURNS TO KALISPELL
Tuesday, May 7 | 7:30am - 5:00pm | Hilton Garden Inn | $55 The Assistance for Business Clinics are designed to assist new and established businesses, accountants, bookkeepers, human resource professionals, and attorneys with proactively preventing unnecessary claims and/or charges by providing updated information on unemployment insurance tax requirements, workers’ compensation coverage, safety and OSHA regulations, tax incentives, minimum wage, overtime, new hire reporting, USERRA laws and regulations. Continuing education credits are available for: CPE, CLE, SHRM, HRCI. To register for this event, click here.
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OUR MEMBERS WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
FEBRUARY MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES 15 YEARS • Valley Bank of Kalispell • Fastoys LLC • Big John’s • Big Mountain Eye Clinic • Northwest Pipe Fittings Inc. • Kalvig Law Firm P.C. • Prime View Dental, PC • Sierra Pacific Windows • Terry Homes, Inc. 10 YEARS • Glacier Paving, Inc. • • • •
1 YEAR HR Home Remodeling Mountain View RV Park Bergeson RV Corporation FlyBoard of Montana
CALENDAR OF EVENTS UNWIND With Rocky Mountain Bank Tuesday, March 12 5:00 - 6:30pm 2450 HWY 93 North, Kalispell Kalispell St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sunday, March 17 4:00pm Main Street, Kalispell FAYP Espresso Yourself Wednesday, March 20 8:00 - 9:00am Kalispell Chamber Conference Room March Thinking Thursday: Be the Change Thursday, March 21 8:30 - 10:00am Kalispell Chamber Conference Room March Luncheon: Education and Workforce Tuesday, March 26 11:45am - 1:15pm Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell UNWIND with Direct Source Cabinets Tuesday, April 9 5:00 - 6:30pm 160 Kelly Road, Kalispell April Luncheon: 2019 MT Highway Projects Tuesday, April 16 11:45am - 1:15pm Red Lion Hotel - Kalispell Montana Spartan Race Saturday, May 4 - Sunday, May 5 MT HWY 35, South of Bigfork Assistance for Business Clinic Tuesday, May 7 7:30am - 5:00pm Hilton Garden Inn Montana Young Professionals Summit Wednesday, June 12 - Friday, June 14 Hilton Garden Inn Vist www.kalispellchamber.com for more events and information!
St. Patrick’s Day
PARADE Sunday, March 17
4:00pm | Main St. | Kalispell FREE TO ENTER. CONTACT (406) 755-7410 Presented by the Ancient Order of the Hibernians and the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
TIME IS RUNNING OUT! ADVERTISE IN THE OFFICIAL FLATHEAD VALLEY MAP! The official Flathead Valley Map is produced here in Kalispell and is distributed to both U.S. and international visitors, lodging accommodations, Northwest Montana visitors centers, surrounding area chambers of commerce, attractions and museums, real estate brokerages, car rental businesses, Glacier Park International Airport, and more… The map includes the areas of Kalispell, Bigfork, Columbia Falls, Evergreen, Lakeside, Somers, and Whitefish, and is updated with new streets and destination highlights each year.
ADVERTISEMENTS START AT JUST $200!
Contact our Membership Development Manager, Krista Borgardt, to take advantage of this great advertising opportunity: k.borgardt@kalispellchamber.com or (406) 758-5054.