Does the Flathead Valley need a large assembly hall to host conventions? Should improving infrastructure and investing in industrial sites to attract technology businesses be priorities? What unique strengths can Flathead County build upon for economic development?
As the Flathead Valley experiences sizable growth, Montana West Economic Development, the local economic development agency, is collecting community input to identify priorities for the coming years. The effort is focused on crafting a new Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, which is established every five years to help steer public and private investment and leverage grants.
“It’s really an opportunity for the entire community to put their voice forward in regards to what is important in their minds to get done for economic development, including infrastructure and things that need investments and need to get done,” Jerry Meerkatz, president and CEO of MWED, said.
MWED is hosting a series of public meetings where community members can submit comments. Discussions were previously held in Whitefish and Columbia Falls, and future meetings will be in Evergreen (April 17 at 3:45 p.m. at Perkins Backroom), Lakeside (April 18 at 3:45 p.m. at The Gathering Place behind the Lakeside Community Chapel), Bigfork (April 25 at 3:45 p.m. at Glacier Bank) and concluding in Kalispell (April 26 at 1 p.m. at the Red Lion Inn).
A brief online survey is also available for those interested in submitting input. The survey asks participants to prioritize a wide array of business and economic issues, including workforce development, entrepreneurship, business support and tourism investments.
“We want any input from the community,” Meerkatz said. “What do they want? What are they thinking? What do they see as important?”
Economic development is flourishing across the valley, which punctuates the need for sound strategy and a unified community vision, according to MWED staff. The local organization, which oversees a revolving loan fund that helps spur business investment, has already divvied out $2.5 million to 14 business projects this year, Meerkatz said. That figure is well above normal for most years. For example, in 2013, the organization approved $2.74 million for 15 projects.
Ten of the latest loan-funded projects are surfacing in Kalispell, three are in Columbia Falls and one is in Whitefish.
“It’s really an unprecedented time for us as the amount of qualified entrepreneurs and businesses wanting to grow are coming in the door,” Meerkatz said.
Meerkatz said the amount of interest for new business investment is significant and provides a “great projection on the economy.”
A recent Kalispell Chamber of Commerce luncheon showcased a few of the new business investments, including Montana Coffee Traders’ plans to relocate to downtown Kalispell. The longtime local coffee shop and restaurant is in the process of renovating the empty storefront at 111 S. Main Street for a new location, which is slated to open in June. Also, a new ballet studio is being established at 7 Main Street and is poised to open in the fall. The new storefronts are joining Blue Samurai Sushi Bar and Grille and Yoga Hive as the latest Main Street additions. Columbia Falls is experiencing a similar reinvestment spurt downtown, with the new JIM fitness center, Berube Physical Therapy and another Yoga Hive recently opening.
Outside of downtown, two new auto dealerships are in the works. Green Nissan has submitted plans for a new facility at 2915 Highway 93 South and Ford is combining its Kalispell and Whitefish locations into a large new site on Highway 93 North in the newly established Kalispell North Town Center.
To participate in the MWED survey, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FlatheadCEDS.