Flathead Business Watercooler

Whitefish Credit Union giveaway recognizes 'unsung heroes'

Whitefish Credit Union is giving away eight pairs of VIP weekend passes to the Under the Big Sky Festival, which will take place at the Big Mountain Ranch the weekend of July 16, to recognize "unsung heroes" in the community. Examples of unsung heroes include child care workers, maintenance workers, food service employees and other underrecognized community members.

The first Unsung Hero was Erin Shappell, manager of Super 1 Foods in Columbia Falls.

The giveaway will run through June 17. More information can be found at whitefishcu.com/weseeyou.

Kalispell 2021 construction season underway

The Montana Department of Transportation is working on numerous construction projects throughout the Flathead Valley.

Projects include the Kalispell Bypass-Foys Lake Road interchange, the roundabout at Dern and Spring Creek roads, Kalispell concrete rehabilitation, Lakeside North and South, projects to improve accessibility in Kalispell, the installation of low-noise rumble strips on highways throughout western Montana, and construction along U.S. 2 from Hungry Horse to Stanton Creek.

All of the projects are either under construction or will be starting this summer and continue into the fall. A map of the projects in the greater Kalispell area is available at bit.ly/kalispellprojectsmap.

USDA seeks applications for placemaking grants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for up to $3 million in grants under its Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge program. The funds may be used to enhance broadband access; preserve cultural and historic structures; and support development in transportation, housing and recreational spaces.

Each applicant may receive up to $250,000 must provide a %15 funding match.

Applications can be submitted via grants.gov no later than July 26. Questions can be referred to [email protected]. The USDA also will hold a virtual workshop at 4:30 p.m. on June 24.

Montana ranks first in nation for increase in vehicle travel

A report released this week by the National Transportation Research Nonprofit says Montana is leading the nation in the increase of vehicle miles traveled since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Montana, motorists traveled 13.3% more miles from March 2019 to March 2021. South Dakota had the next-highest increase, at 12.7%, and Idaho came in third with an 11.7% increase. The nationwide average during that period was a 3.0% decrease.

The report can be found at tripnet.org.