Ep. 88 – From Downtown to Discover Kalispell: Building Community & Business
What's next for downtown Kalispell? Discover Kalispell Chamber CEO Lorraine Clarno discusses downtown revitalization, favorite winter events, and the Chamber's priorities for 2027—from business advocacy and housing to workforce development and community growth.
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Ep. 88 - From Downtown to Discover Kalispell: Building Community & Business
What's next for downtown Kalispell? Discover Kalispell Chamber CEO Lorraine Clarno discusses downtown revitalization, favorite winter events, and the Chamber's priorities for 2027—from business advocacy and housing to workforce development and community growth.
Ep. 87 - Job Service Kalispell & the NWMT Jobs & Opportunity Fair
Employers across Northwest Montana are hiring—and skills like dependability, communication and a willingness to learn matter. Dr. Crystal Armstrong of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry shares local job opportunities, workforce resources and details on the Northwest Montana Job & Opportunity Fair.
Ep. 86 - The FVCC Trades Institute with Dr. Lisa Blank
Skilled trades are changing fast, and the career opportunities are growing with them. Dr. Lisa Blank, Executive Director of Workforce Development at Flathead Valley Community College, joins us to talk about how the FVCC Trades Institute is preparing students and career changers for in-demand jobs across Northwest Montana.
Ep. 81 - Flathead Electric Cooperative: Powering the Flathead with Katie Pfennigs
n this episode of Venture Boldly, we sit down with Katie Pfennigs of Flathead Electric Cooperative to break down the forces shaping the future of electricity in Northwest Montana. From rising rates and growing demand to new power generation investments and the impact of AI and data centers, Katie explains what members need to know.
Ep. 76- Entrepreneurship in the Flathead: Wachholz Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center with Eric Harry
In this episode, we sit down with Eric Harry of the Wachholz Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at Flathead Valley Community College to tackle a key question: how do we help founders build and stay in Northwest Montana?
Ep. 75 - Downtown Kalispell Forward: A New Chapter for Kalispell’s Core
In this episode, Brenden Craig of First Interstate Bank sits down with Lorraine Clarno, President and CEO of the Kalispell Chamber, and Gabe Mariman of Bias Brewing to discuss Downtown Kalispell Forward—a new alignment that brings the Kalispell Downtown Association under the Chamber. The conversation explains why this change matters now and how it creates a clearer, more coordinated voice for downtown businesses and partners.
Ep. 54 - Montana's Economic Pulse: Labor Trends & Workforce Insights with State Economist, Amy Watson
Join us as Montana State Economist, Amy Watson, paints a picture of what's driving this growth and the challenges that come with it. Montana's economy is booming. Labor force numbers have pushed total workforce to over 579,000 people, with nearly 50,000 jobs added since COVID-19 began reshaping our economic landscape. The Flathead Valley stands out with even more impressive growth – outpacing state averages with 2.8% labor force expansion last year alone.
Ep. 41 - Flathead Technology: An Interview with Kalispell Applied Materials' General Manager, Brian Aegerter
The semiconductor industry has a long history in Kalispell, thanks to Semitool which was acquired by Applied Materials in 2010. Our special guest, Brian Aegerter, General Manager of Kalispell Applied Materials, shares the how the bold move to establish a semiconductor industry in the Flathead has created a thriving high-tech sector and opened doors for future growth opportunities.
Ep. 40 - The Headwaters Tech Hub with Dr. Tim VanReken, Executive Director and Regional Innovation Officer
Discover how Montana is blazing a trail in tech innovation with the dynamic Headwaters Tech Hub (HTH). We sit down with Dr. Tim VanReken, the visionary Executive Director and Regional Innovation Officer of the HTH. We uncover the strategic impact of the Chips and Science Act and a transformative $41 million boost from the US Department of Commerce, setting Montana on a path to become a leader in smart photonic sensing systems.
Ep. 30 - Mastering the Move to Montana
Bill Moseley, CEO of GL Solutions, shares how he pivoted from the world of law and government to the tech frontier, crafting software that transforms regulatory operations. Bill recounts GL Solutions' move from Bend, Oregon to Kalispell, with first-hand insight into the trials and triumphs of transplanting a thriving business and nurturing its growth in its new Flathead Valley home.
Ep. 29 - Big Sky Business with Todd O'Hair
Join us as we visit with Todd O'Hair, the President and CEO of the Montana Chamber of Commerce, in this week's Venture Boldly episode where we dissect the multitude of strategies fueling Montana's economic engine. Our discussion spans the state's urban-rural divide and the Chamber's pivotal role in shaping a robust economic landscape through the Envision 2026 plan.
Ep. 28 - Steady as She Grows: Analyzing the Flathead Valley Economy & Housing Market with James Williamson of Sage Appraisal and Strategy
Dive into the hidden dynamics of the Flathead Valley's economy and housing market as we team up with James Williamson from Sage Appraisal and Strategy. With James's expert analysis fresh from a presentation at the University of Montana's local BBER presentation, we dissect the local economic trends that show a slight deceleration yet maintain an upward momentum. We discuss local population growth, revealing its impact on the economic pulse of Kalispell and the Flathead.
Ep 27 - Venturing Boldly in 2024
Join us as Lorraine Clarno, President and CEO of the Discover Kalispell Chamber, shares an exciting look into the Chamber's 2024 initiatives. From the strategic relocation to Main Street to a strong emphasis on a vibrant downtown and a focus on education, this episode is your personal roadmap to understanding the growth and vitality being cultivated in our town.
Ep. 26 - A Game Plan for Sports Tourism, with Evan Eleff
Evan Eleff from the Sports Facilities Companies joins us to dissect potential impact of a tournament-quality sports facility in the Flathead Valley. We'll touch on the economic, social, and community benefits that such a development would entail—not just a mere venue for sports, but a powerhouse for local businesses during shoulder seasons and a catalyst for stronger community ties.
Ep. 25- Banking on Montana with Mike Smith, Glacier Bank
In today's episode we talk with Mike Smith, the influential Market President of Glacier Bank. In this wide-ranging interview, we discuss the history of Glacier Bank and its relationship with Glacier Bancorp, new technology, consumer behavior, fed rates, 2024 projections and more. We also learn about Glacier Bank's substantial investment in the community through its thousands of volunteer hours, hundreds of thousands of dollars donated annually, and lending for impactful community projects.
Ep 19 - Unraveling Workforce Trends in Flathead County: A Conversation with Laura Gardner from Job Service Kalispell
Are you curious to uncover the hidden dynamics of workforce trends in Flathead County, Montana? Today, we're giving you an exclusive seat at our table as we talk with Laura Gardner from JobService Kalispell. With her robust 40 years of experience with the Job Service, Laura brings forth fascinating insights into how reduced business hours, low unemployment rate, and population influx are shaping the local labor market.
Ep 18 - Innovative Strategies in Workforce Development and Career Discovery with FVCC
Ever wondered how education systems are evolving to meet the dynamic needs of industries and businesses? Let's explore the innovative strategies being implemented by Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) to fulfill these transformations in this fascinating conversation with Lisa Blank, the Executive Director of Workforce Development.
Ep. 11 - Discover Kalispell - Diane Medler, Executive Director
As the snows of winter fade in the Flathead and tourism to the valley picks up as we head toward summer, Venture Boldly takes time to talk with Diane Medler, the Executive Director of Discover Kalispell, a destination marketing and stewardship organization as part of the Discover Kalispell Chamber. With top tourism destinations such as Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, and Whitefish Mountain Resort in our backyard, tourism and its related dollars represents a significant industry in the Flathead Valley.
Ep. 1 - Venturing Boldly with the Discover Kalispell Chamber
In this episode we're talking about the Kalispell Chamber, its core programs, and its Venture Boldly initiatives.