Advocacy & Government Affairs

Serving as the Voice of Business for Kalispell & the Flathead Valley

The Discover Kalispell Chamber of Commerce advocates for businesses through a variety of strategic initiatives designed to enhance the economic vitality of the region.

As the regional trade center for Northwest Montana, the Chamber works closely with local and state governments to address key issues impacting businesses. Our advocacy efforts focus on several priority areas, including:

Workforce Housing: We play an active role in advocating for affordable housing solutions, which is critical for supporting the local workforce and ensuring businesses can thrive in the Flathead Valley.
Workforce Development: We are deeply involved in initiatives that build talent pipelines and address the challenges posed by demographic shifts. This includes partnerships with educational institutions and serve as the lead partner with to enhance career readiness.
Child Care: We advocate for affordable, accessible, and quality child care as infrastructure. Early educators and child care providers are the workforce of the workforce.
Energy: Our communities depend on energy that is reliable, affordable, and secure. Energy resources that can satisfy the present and future demands of businesses and individuals are essential for our economic health and well-being. Hydropower generation is carbon-free, reliable, and the key to keeping electricity affordable in the Valley.
Natural Resources: We support agricultural and forest management uses through careful management and planning while ensuring clean air, clean water, healthy wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities we all treasure.
Transportation and Air Service: Recognizing the importance of connectivity for the local economy, the Chamber advocates for improvements to transportation infrastructure, particularly in relation to air service at Glacier Park International Airport, which has a significant impact on tourism and local businesses.
Tourism: Is the backbone of our economy and we strive to be community stewards. Ensuring the maintenance of our pristine environment while balancing the needs of our local residents and small businesses that rely on year-round visitors to Kalispell and the Flathead Valley is at the heart of everything we do. Protecting bed tax revenue for its sole purpose is a priority.
Legislative Advocacy: We monitor and engage in legislative issues at both the state and local levels. We actively provide businesses with updates on policies and regulations that could affect their operations, ensuring that the business community has a voice in important legislative decisions.

Our advocacy work not only focuses on immediate business needs but also long-term economic development, such as broadband infrastructure and rural economic growth initiatives.

We proudly collaborate with the Montana Chamber of Commerce and the US Chamber of Commerce on issues when aligned.

2026 Government Affairs Meeting Dates

Government affairs meetings are the first Monday of every month from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.

Staff Liaison is Lorraine Clarno, President/CEO, 406-758-2804, EMAIL.

Kalispell Kind | Kalispell Chamber of Commerce

Our Advocacy goes further into effect with our Kalispell Kind Initiative

Kalispell Kind is a 15-year strategy of the Discover Kalispell Chamber to directly impact economic opportunity across Kalispell and the Flathead Valley.

Kalispell Kind includes four mutually supporting imperatives that tackle challenges impacting economic vitality, workforce & talent development, place-making downtown, and strengthening our advocacy role as the voice of business.

Check out Kalispell Downtown Forward Coalition to see how we are tackling multiple initiatives with our partners – Kalispell Business Improvement District, Kalispell Tourism Improvement District, Northwest Montana, Association of Realtors, Flathead Building Association, and Kalispell Downtown Association.

We invite your interest, input, and participation in the Kalispell Kind community stewardship initiative. We will only be successful if all do their part and engage in this effort in a manner that fits each organization’s interest in the economic strength and resiliency of our region – and all of Northwest Montana.

Grow family wage jobs, increase wages, prioritize business growth, be a a catalyst for innovation,and preserve quality of life factors.
Grow our talent to meet the needs of our employers and job seekers.
Vibrant cities are cities where residents and visitors feel “there is something exciting going on.”
Use our collective voice to influence issues and elected officials at the local, state and national level.