Providing Economic, Community, and Workforce Development Services.
Chamber Priorities
Chamber Agenda Promotes Economic Renewal
The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce has a singular focus in 2010 – advancing policies and actions that will get the Kalispell regional economy moving again. We will need to create 5,000 jobs in Flathead County over the next decade to restore those lost during the recession and keep up with the growing population. This is the most urgent task facing our community, which has been the hardest hit in Montana by this devastating recession.
Create a Competitive Tax System and Oppose Tax Increases: The Chamber will fight to secure a competitive tax system which supports job creation. The agenda includes:
- Prevent transportation impact fees which are unreasonable and disproportionate to the impact
- Restore the phase-out of the business equipment tax
Secure Our Share of the Economic Stimulus and Recovery Package: Advocate economic stimulus projects with our Congressional delegation which will create construction and permanent jobs:
- Complete reconstruction of Going-to-the-Sun Road’s alpine section in Glacier National Park
- Fully-fund right-of-way acquisition and construction the US 93 Kalispell Bypass
Promote the Revitalization of Downtown Kalispell: Downtown Kalispell serves as the historic, political, and cultural center for the Flathead Valley. The Chamber will support policies which:
- Encourage revitalization and investment in the downtown core
- Accelerate public and private investment by focusing on priority projects
Advance Montana Legislative Policies That Promote Jobs and Growth:
- Push worker’s compensation changes emphasizing workplace safety and tightening interpretation
- Encourage widespread adoption of health insurance information technology
- Block card-check legislation which eliminates the secret ballot provision in union organizing
- Develop Montana’s natural resources to create energy, commodities, and good-paying jobs
- Fully-fund and reauthorize the state’s multi-agency economic development package
Educate a Superior Workforce and Encourage Educational Innovation: In a knowledge-based, global economy of the 21st century, a well-educated workforce is the key to innovation, economic development, and community prosperity.
- Implement innovative education models such as Career Clusters, early enrollment in college-level courses for credit, youth apprenticeship and internships, and online learning
- Support policies that facilitate the transfer of academic credits within the Montana education system, particularly between 2-year and 4-year public institutions
- Develop statewide data systems that offer timely and accurate collection, analysis, and use of high-quality longitudinal data to track student achievement and teacher effectiveness
Expand International Trade and Fight Isolationism: The Chamber will raise awareness of the new markets and opportunities created by international trade.
- Lead a trade and cultural mission to China for 100 Chamber members and their guests April 3-11
- Encourage Congress to support pending trade agreements with Columbia, South Korea, and Panama
Build On Business Consulting Services Offered at the Flathead Regional Business Center:
- Encourage exploration of new markets through government contracting opportunities
- Create awareness of business analytic tools at the Small Business Development Center
- Strengthen the integration of manufacturing, training, tourism promotion, and workforce services
2010 must become the year of enterprise – the year when Montanans get back to work. We invite you to learn more by contacting the Chamber at 758-2800 or email info@kalispellchamber.com.
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The central mission of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce is the cultivation and development of entrepreneurs and communities through the spirit of enterprise. |