The 2024 Transportation Issue
As the Flathead Valley continues to grow, city planners work to enhance road infrastructure safety in Kalispell, while recreation advocates in Columbia Falls and West Glacier continue building new multi-use trails as part of the Gateway to Glacier Trails
By Beacon Staff
Transforming Kalispell’s Transportation
As the city’s population grows and major developments within the municipality come to fruition, officials are working to upgrade Kalispell’s road infrastructure to bring connectivity and safety to motorists, pedestrians and cyclists
In the next few years after road crews shrink the traffic lanes running through downtown Kalispell, pedestrians will walk down expanded sidewalks outside of businesses and cyclists will be able to safely ride on First Avenues east and west using separated bike lanes.
Read the rest of the story here.
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Gateway to Glacier Trails Make Steep Gains
Since launching in 2011, the nonprofit has completed a paved path from Hungry Horse to West Glacier while adding projects like the Cedar Flats Trails, which will soon enter phase three of the planned 25-mile single-track network
After years of volunteering with Rails-to-Trails of Northwest Montana, Val Parsons moved from Kalispell to West Glacier in the mid-2000s and traded a deliberately built, multi-use path for an adrenaline-boosting bicycle ride on the shoulder of U.S. Highway 2.
Read the rest of the story here.
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This Month’s Market Metrics
Gas Prices (Aug. 27)
Hawaii (highest) – $4.63/gal | Oklahoma (lowest) – $2.81/gal | Montana – $3.46/gal
Glacier Park International Airport Passenger Stats (July)
Departures 2024 77,864 | 2023 69,783 Arrivals 2024 79,166 | 2023 68,229
Unemployment Rates (July)
U.S. 4.3% | Montana 3.1% | Flathead County 3.3%
Flathead County Residential Sales (July)
2024 159 | 2023 136 | 2022 145 | 2021 258
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Financial Corner: How Should You Respond to Market Cycles?
Once you’re familiar with the nature of market cycles, you won’t be surprised when they occur
The movement of the financial markets can seem mysterious — and yet, if we look back over long periods, we can see definite patterns that consistently repeat themselves. As an investor, how should you respond to these market cycles?