Montana West Economic Development (MWED)

Congratulations to Our Local Montana Beer Award Winners! We’re excited to celebrate some outstanding local breweries recognized at the recent Montana Beer Awards! This statewide competition showcases the best craft beers from across Montana, and we're proud to see several of our MWED members and clients among the medalists: Congratulations to MWED member Backslope Brewery, and MWED clients Bias Brewing, and Tamarack, Sacred Waters and Patriotic American Backslope Brewing (Columbia Falls) 🥇 Gold Medal for Sour Ales, Wild Ales & Fruited Sour Ales: "Opulence" 🥈 Silver Medal for Belgian & French-Style Ales: "Up From the Roots" Bias Brewing (Kalispell) 🥇 Gold Medal for Hop-Forward Pale Lagers: "Rice, Rice, Baby Lager" 🥉 Bronze Medal for Amber Ales & Hybrid Styles: "Fife’n Irish Red Ale" Sacred Waters Brewing Co. (Kalispell) 🥇 Gold Medal for Vegetable & Spiced Beers: "Lil’ Salmon Fire" 🥉 Bronze Medal for American & International Pale Lagers: "Snow Dust" Tamarack Brewing Co. (Lakeside) 🥇 Gold Medal for Smoke & Wood Flavored Beer: "Old Stache Porter" Patriotic American Brewery (Kalispell) 🥉 Bronze Medal for Vegetable & Spiced Beers: "Fire in the Hole!" Congratulations!!! Your passion and craftsmanship continue to elevate Montana’s thriving beer scene. Cheers to your incredible achievements and continued success! Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/g5NpJPr5 #MWEDMembers #MWEDClients #MontanaBeer

RT-130 Fireline Safety Training – Sign Up Now! Montana West Economic Development and Montana APEX Accelerator , formally PTAC, is pleased to announce that we will once again be hosting RT-130 training classes for our clients ahead of the upcoming fire season. Class Dates: ✅ Feb 22 | ✅ Mar 22 | ✅ Apr 19 | ✅ May 17 | ✅ June 18 Annual Fireline Refresher Training is designed to provide up-to-date fireline safety information to employees holding Incident Command System qualifications requiring this training per the PMS 310-1, Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide. The class, facilitated by Jim Maher, contains four components: Entrapment Avoidance; Current Issues; Fire Shelter Training; and other hazards and Safety Issues. This course meets all requirements as identified in the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book), Chapter 13. Location: MWED Office, 44 2nd Ave W, Kalispell (except June session) To Register: Email jill@dobusinessinmontana.com with attendee details & preferred date. 🔥 Stay prepared. Stay safe. Secure your spot today! Further information details on the RT-130 course and who is required to take it can be found at https://lnkd.in/gZSnBXdb. #MWEDPartners #FirelineSafety #RT130Training

Scaling Montana Speaker Series: Leadership Transitions in High-Growth Tech Companies 📅 Weds, April 16 🕐 Noon Online and at MWED Join us on April 16 at noon for the next Scaling Montana Speaker Series, featuring Pete Roos, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Bridger Photonics, Inc., and the company's new CEO, Ben Little. This session will explore how and when a company should transition leadership during a scale-up phase, particularly in deep-tech and engineering-driven organizations. They will offer a first-hand account from a company who is actively undergoing the transition. Bridger Photonics has experienced record growth in the methane detection industry, prompting a strategic leadership shift to support its next stage of expansion. Pete and Ben will provide insights for technical founders and entrepreneurs on: ♦️ Why: leadership transitions can be critical for scaling a technology company ♦️ How: founders can decide when to bring in a new CEO ♦️ What: skills are needed at different phases of growth ♦️ Lessons learned: from the early stages of Bridger Photonics leadership’ transition This discussion will be especially valuable for founders, technical leaders, and entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of scaling a company beyond its early stages. RSVP at: https://lnkd.in/gN24dshf Scaling Montana

Join MWED member-investor Flathead Electric Cooperative for their Annual Meeting & Energy Expo on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the FVCC Wachholz College Center! Drop in anytime between 3:30–7:30 PM to enjoy interactive booths, energy insights, dinner, prizes (like an iPad, electric leaf blower, a $500 bill credit and more!) and a chance to connect with your Co-op. 📍 Energy Expo starts at 3:30 PM 🗓 Business Meeting: 5:30–6:30 PM 🍽 Dinner served all evening A fun and informative event for the whole family! Full event details at: https://lnkd.in/dd9ZNGpb #FlatheadElectric #EnergyExpo2025 #CoopCommunity #MWEDPartners

Early season snowpack and enough intermittent snowfall near season's end made for a winner of a 24-25 ski season at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Top it off with bluebird weather for closing weekend and pond skim, and we've got to say that this year was one for the books. Congrats to Whitefish Mountain Resort and all the snow shredders on another great winter season! https://lnkd.in/gWZWn-UH #MWEDPartners #SkiWhitefish

Applications Open for Value Added Producer Grants Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPGs) help agricultural producers generate new products, create or expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income. Here are some examples of value added activities: • Jams and jellies made from produce grown on your farm • Textiles woven from fleece harvested on your ranch Who can apply? • Agricultural producers and associated groups • Farmer and rancher cooperatives • Majority-controlled, producer based business ventures Maximum Grant Amount: Planning Grants $75,000; Working Capital Grants: $250,000. How may funds be used? Grant and matching funds can be used for planning activities or for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product. Examples of planning activities include: Conducting feasibility studies. Developing business plans. Developing marketing plans for the proposed value-added product. Examples of working capital expenses include: Processing costs. Marketing and advertising expenses. Some inventory and salary expenses. Electronic applications will be accepted via the VAPG application portal until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 17, 2025. Apply at: https://lnkd.in/gUCSEcWv Fact Sheet: https://lnkd.in/gfEeWZDD #MWEDPartners #USDARuralDevelopment #ValueAddedProducerGrants

The Flathead Valley is a significant hub for firearms manufacturing in Montana. In January 2025 MWED President/CEO Christy Cummings Dawson attended SHOT Show in Las Vegas with the Montana Department of Commerce to staff the state booth and talk with people and companies looking to expand their business into Montana. #MWEDPartners #MTjobs #MTManufacturing

The Northwest Montana Job & Opportunity Fair is back! Thursday, April 17 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds Trade Center hosts one of the largest in-person job fairs in the region — a powerful platform for job seekers and employers to connect and grow! 🕘 9:00–11:30 AM – High School & College Career Fair Students: Explore career paths, internships, and summer job opportunities! 🕑 2:00–6:00 PM – Community Job Fair Open to all ages and experience levels—whether you're looking for your first job, a career change, or new hires for your business, this event has something for everyone. Hosted by Job Service Kalispell, Flathead Valley Community College, the Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, and WorkForce Flathead. 👉 Learn more or register: workforceflathead.com 📞 Call 406-758-6250 for questions #FlatheadJobs #JobFair2025 #WorkForceFlathead #CareerOpportunities #MWEDPartners

MWED warmly welcomes our future Fire Chief, Jay Hagen, who joins us from Bellevue, Washington, bringing over three decades of firefighting experience back to western Montana, where his career began. We also extend heartfelt thanks to retiring Chief Dan Pearce for his dedicated service, leadership, and pivotal role in strengthening our community’s emergency response capabilities. Here's to continued excellence and safety under Chief Hagen’s leadership! Learn more about Chief Hagen: https://lnkd.in/gWZ8t3a3 #WelcomeChiefHagen #ThankYouChiefPearce #KalispellFireDept #CommunityLeadership

Celebrating 20 Years of Freedom Bank! 🎉 Please join us in congratulating Don Bennett and Freedom Bank on 20 years of serving Columbia Falls and the Flathead Valley! From humble beginnings in a trailer to a thriving, independent community bank with over $140 million in assets, Freedom Bank has become a cornerstone of local economic growth and community support. Under Don’s visionary leadership, the bank has issued more than 4,200 loans, supported countless local businesses, and donated generously to local nonprofits and causes. His story is one of true entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the community. Here’s to two decades of impact — and many more to come! Read the full story of Don's inspiring journey at: https://lnkd.in/gZ3V4FsA #FreedomBank #20YearsStrong #CommunityBanking #ColumbiaFalls #MWEDPartners #LocalLeadership