Flathead Business Watercooler

Hiring workshop

Expanding your workforce: Hiring from the reentry center is the topic of discussion at a Kalispell Chamber workshop July 8 from noon to 1 p.m. Meet in the board room at 2 South Main St., ste 205 in Kalispell.

Coffee Connect at the Inter Lake

The Daily Inter Lake hosts the next Coffee Connect on Friday, July 10 from 8-9 a.m. at the office at 727 E. Idaho in Kalispell. Coffee Connect is the Flathead Valley's premier morning networking and relationship-building event for local businesses. Non-member guests are welcome to attend up to two Coffee Connect events before joining the Kalispell Chamber. Contact Kirk Fritz at [email protected] or 406-758-5054.

Tourism survey

The Whitefish Sustainable Tourism Management Plan Committee is asking local residents and business owners to participate in an online survey in an effort to gain insights into the community's attitudes toward tourism. Deadline for submissions is July 15.

Economic update

University of Montana's Bureau of Business and Economic Research mid-year economic update is July 30 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell. Special focus on high tech, data centers and the digital economy. Learn how gas prices, inflation, interest rates and other factors are affecting the Montana economy, and what may lie ahead. economicoutlookseminar.com

Matching Funds program

The Montana Department of Commerce's Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Funds Program will be open for applications on July 1 and close on April 30, 2027. The Matching Funds Program assists technology-based Montana companies by providing additional funding that can be used for technology development or other uses. Grants of up to $30,000 are available. For more information, contact Grants Coordinator Kathy Bartlett at [email protected] or 406-841-2792. 

Wood Products Revolving Fund 

The Montana Department of Commerce's Wood Products Revolving Loan Fund is accepting new applications. The program offers a loan participation structure for requests up to $2 million and continues to provide direct loans to eligible businesses for amounts under $1 million. The application portal will remain open until all available funds are committed, with approximately $1.4 million currently available. For more information, contact Program Specialist Chris Ryan at [email protected].

Coffee with the chamber 

The Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce holds Coffee with the Chamber at 8:30 a.m. on July 7 at Farming for the Future Academy, 400 Veterans Dr., Columbia Falls. Business networking followed by introductions of all attendees.