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. 83 - Growing Flathead: Building for the Future with Pete Melnick, County Administrator
How does Flathead County manage rapid growth without losing its rural character or overextending taxpayers? Brenden Craig talks with County Administrator Pete Melnick about the pressures shaping local government, including rising service demands, land use, infrastructure, budgeting, and property taxes.
Ep. 74 - Smart Growth, Strong Community: Inside Kalispell’s Next Chapter with City Manager, Jarod Nygren
Kalispell is growing, and the decisions we make now will shape the next decade. In this episode, City Manager Jarod Nygren breaks down how the city is planning for infrastructure, housing, and downtown vitality to stay ahead of that growth. We discuss long-range planning, permitting timelines, and how clear policies create predictability for residents, businesses, and investors.
Ep. 70 - A Conversation with Kalispell Mayor-elect, Ryan Hunter
Growth is here, and today’s choices will shape Kalispell for decades. In this episode, Kalispell mayor-elect Ryan Hunter lays out a clear, practical agenda: protect waterways, expand attainable housing, improve street safety, and apply predictable standards that support a vibrant Parkline Trail—without overbuilding or fragmentation.
Ep. 66 - Beyond Capacity: The Need for a New Flathead County Detention Center
Sheriff Brian Heino doesn't mince words about Flathead County's jail crisis. The 1987 facility is bursting at the seams, with failing systems, inadequate space, and mounting safety concerns. With over two decades of law enforcement experience, Sheriff Heino offers a compelling insider's perspective on why a new detention center represents not just a building project, but a fundamental community investment.
Ep. 65 - Kyle Waterman: Candidate for Kalispell City Council Ward 3
Kyle Waterman, downtown business owner and former city councilor, is running for Kalispell City Council Ward 3. In this conversation, he shares how his past council experience and decades of community leadership shape his vision for a growing, business-friendly Kalispell.
Ep. 64 - Kisa Davison: Candidate for Mayor of Kalispell
Meet Kisa Davison, Kalispell mayoral candidate and recipient of the Kalispell Chamber’s endorsement. She joins Drew Zagorski to share her journey from business owner and community leader to candidate for mayor.
Ep. 63 - Pathways Beyond Prison: The Flathead Valley Reentry Center
Join host Drew Zagorski as he sits down with Brian Gootkin, Director of the Montana Department of Corrections, and Jim Sanderson, Operations Manager of the new Flathead Valley Reentry Center, for a revealing conversation about how we reintegrate formerly incarcerated individuals back into society. This isn't just another corrections facility – it's Montana's first-ever state-run reentry center.
Ep. 53 - This Levy Matters: What's at Stake for the Future of Kalispell Education
Join us as we tackle a pressing topic impacting Kalispell Public Schools—the upcoming high school levy vote. This episode features enlightening discussions with Matt Jensen, Superintendent, and Jinn Merriman, a dedicated school board trustee and parent. Together, we explore how this levy directly affects our students, families, and community as a whole.
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. 24 - City Management & Emergency Response Funding with Doug Russell, Kalispell City Manager
In this episode we're talking with Doug Russell, the Kalispell City Manager. Doug, a certified manager and public finance officer, navigates us through the world of local government management and the upcoming 2024 spring vote for a dedicated emergency responder levy in Kalispell.
Ep. 8 - 2023 Montana Legislative Update- Rep. Courtenay Sprunger
In this episode we’re diving deeper into specific legislation in this 68th Montana Legislative Session in our interview with Representative Courtenay Sprunger. Representative Sprunger, who is a former chair of the Kalispell Chamber board and is also the CEO and founder of Big Sky Public Relations, has sponsored a number of bills that have gained traction this session.
Ep. 7 - Montana Legislative Update
Learn more about current legislation that the Chamber is closely following right now on behalf of the business community with guest, Erica Wirtala, Chair of the Chamber's Government Affairs Committee. Erica will also share more about the Government Affairs Committee itself and how the chamber advocates on behalf of the business community.