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As Craft Beer Demand Grows, FVCC Sets Up Brew School
Community college will launch the state’s first brewing program this fall
BY JUSTIN FRANZ OF THE BEACON
A new craft brewery opens every 16 hours in the United States, according to the Craft Brewers Association.
More breweries means more brew- ers, and to meet the labor demands of the growing industry, which created 115,000 new jobs across the country in 2014, Flat- head Valley Community College is start- ing the state’s first ever brewing program this fall. The two-year program, called the Brewing Science and Brewing Operations Program, will enable students to receive an associate of applied sciences and prac- tical experience at local breweries.
FVCC Agriculture Program Director Heather Estrada said local breweries first approached the community college last year about offering brewing courses. Stu- dents will take 23 courses on everything from brewing methods and environmen- tal sustainability to workplace safety and beer packaging. Students will also get to make their own beer at the Tamarack Brewing Company in Lakeside, which offered the college space for students.
Heather Estrada, the head of FVCC’s agriculture program, is spearheading the school’s new brewing program set to begin in the fall. JUSTIN FRANZ | FLATHEAD BEACON
students will need to complete an intern- ship and Estrada said breweries in the Flathead Valley and Missoula have already expressed interest in hosting brewers. Estrada said that real world experience would be invaluable when the students are looking for jobs after graduation.
“Brewing is an art and a science and so being exposed to the brewing process will help these students hone in their artistic side,” she said.
Estrada said she is confident there will be no shortage of jobs for the school’s graduates. The craft beer industry is growing at a rate of 17 percent annually and currently represents 20 percent of the market share of national beer sales.
The program’s first class will be capped at about a dozen students, although Estrada hopes those numbers will increase in future years. Every student who applies to the program must be at least 21 years old.
For more information, visit www.fvcc. com/brewing.
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The students’ beer will then be available on tap and part of the proceeds from its sale will go toward student scholarships.
“We’re excited about what this program
will do for Montana’s brewing industry,” Estrada said. “We’ll be able to provide qual- ity workers to this expanding industry.”
Halfway through the program,
Kalispell’s Ambitious Redevelopment Plan Gathers Support City leaders pledge funds for Kalispell rail park, downtown trail system while holding out hope for federal grant
BY DILLON TABISH OF THE BEACON
When David Peterson travels from his office in downtown Spokane to downtown Kalispell, he sees two cities at different stages of a similar vision.
For decades, Spokane struggled to transform its core area from an historic industrial hub to a modern commercial center due in large part to the impedi- ment of railroad tracks slicing through the heart of the city. Then, in the 1960s and early 70s, a group of civic and business leaders spearheaded an ambitious plan that included relocating the rail lines. As it happens, the tactic sparked massive pri- vate redevelopment and ushered in a new era for the growing city.
Of course, Spokane dwarfs Kalispell in size and scope. But Peterson, executive vice president of the Spokane-based firm that owns the Kalispell Center Mall, sees similar opportunities on the horizon.
City leaders are forging ahead with theirownambitiousplanthatcouldsig- nificantly reshape the core area of Kalis- pell in the coming years by relocating the downtown railroad tracks, reconnecting centrally located streets and developing a trail system.
Last week the city council pledged $4.5 million in tax increment finance (TIF) funds that could be used for the down- town revitalization projects, including the creation of an industrial railroad complex off Whitefish Stage Road.
The $21 million rail park is the linchpin for the entire vision — its creation allows for relocating the tracks and rail-served businesses that could spur further rede- velopment in the historic center — and after several years the project is finally materializing.
The city’s pledge combines with con- firmed matches of $500,000 by BNSF Railway and $40,000 a year for five years
from Mission Mountain Railroad, two stakeholdersthatarebothonboardwith creating the 40-acre complex.
Engineers are completing the final layout of the proposed park while Flat- head County Economic Development Authority, which is spearheading the project, continues to negotiate an agree- ment with CHS for relocating the compa- ny’s grain elevator on Center Street and other operations. Kim Morisaki, busi- ness development manager at FCEDA, said an agreement could be reached by mid-summer followed by bids for break- ing ground. Two other businesses have also seriously inquired about developing on site, she said.
The timeframe for the entire proj- ect hinges on one significant factor that has prevented anything from happening sooner.
Last week city officials submitted their latest application for $10 million in
federal transportation funding through the TIGER program. It is the third attempt in as many years. Grants will be awarded in fall.
If Kalispell receives funding, the entire rail park and trail project could be com- pleted within three years, Morisaki said. If not, the industrial complex would sur- face one business at a time and could take twice as long.
Peterson, at the Kalispell Center Mall, is optimistic. He said expansion plans have already been developed for the mall and he wouldn’t be surprised if other businesses in the area were also waiting eagerly to reinvest once the tracks were removed.
“This could be a win-win for everyone,” he said. “We think that downtown Kalis- pell and the entire Flathead Valley will benefit.”
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JUNE 10, 2015 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM