Page 36 - Flathead Beacon // 12.31.14

36 | DECEMBER 31, 2014 BUSINESS MONTHLY FLATHEADBEACON.COM BUSINESS YEAR IN REVIEW
Some of the Biggest Business Stories from the Flathead in 2014
Growing Hospitals As the Flathead’s population continues to expand and age, local hospitals Kalispell Regional Medi- cal Center and North Valley in White- fish were experiencing some growing pains of their own. As two of the valley’s largest employers, the hospitals added new clinics, mental health programs, senior-care programs, and birthing cen- ter expansions, trying to serve the whole breadth of the valley’s population as well as the outlying areas. More clinics and programs also mean more employees, and both hospitals added jobs in 2014.
Where Does Retail Go Next? With more businesses setting up shop on the “Miracle Mile” on U.S. Highway 93 north of Kalispell, the question planners and companies were asking in late 2014 was where will new businesses lay founda- tions once all of the space is taken? Some thought South Kalispell had the space and the potential for new growth, while others posited that east of the Miracle Mile on Reserve could hold the key. One of the final chunks of land, just south of Kalispell, is expected to become a 28- acre development called Victory Com- mons, with hotel, retail, and restaurants.
Stability and Growth for Manufac- turing As the Flathead continues to re- bound from the recession, the always- important manufacturing sector saw stability and growth in 2014, with al- ready-established businesses – such as SmartLam and Proof Research – earning new contracts and expanding. The solid manufacturing climate in the valley was also garnering attention from compa- nies looking to relocate, and the avail- ability of warehouse space and potential land development added to the fervor.
Growing Optimism in the Market
Another pillar of the local economy, the real estate market, also saw a come- back in 2014. Three-quarters of the way
Kalispell Regional Medical Center. BEACON FILE PHOTO through 2014 and five years removed
from the recession, real estate profes- sionals believed consumer confidence is improving as the economy continues to strengthen and job numbers improve. The construction market also grew, with building permits up in all three municipalities in the county, and the price points for housing increased from 2013’s numbers.
Supporting Entrepreneurs 2014 marked a strong year for entrepreneurs in the Flathead, with Glacier Startup Weekend hitting Kalispell on Sept. 19
through Sept. 21 at Flathead Valley Community College, where more than 120 participants will gather to pitch en- trepreneurial ideas, form teams and get those startups off the ground, all in 54 hours. The TED talks, a global phenome- non of people sharing ideas through con- ferences and online videos, also came to Whitefish this year and attendees heard about what frontiers are left in Montana now that the land has been settled. Many of those frontiers are connected to a rise in technology and innovation, especially in Northwest Montana.
Notable New Businesses Many local businesses opened their doors in 2014, and some of the most notable made im- pressions on Beacon readers. The most popular stories we wrote included the founding of Glacier Ginger Brew, a gin- ger beer company located in Whitefish, and the Tea Kettle Café, a new Asian res- taurant in Columbia Falls. Other notable new businesses included Robert Knox’s invention of a better travel mug, made from porcelain and cork to handle the toughest work environments, and the opening of Kalispell’s first indoor dog park and gym, the Walk Your Dog Club.
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