Montana West Economic Development - MWED

06/02/2026

RT-130 Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training

Montana West Economic Development and MT APEX, 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. Due to increased demand, we will host multiple sessions this year. These classes will be facilitated by Jim Maher with Peanut Pie Enterprises. You will be required to show your current government issued ID (i.e. - driver’s license) when checking in for the workshop.

WHEN:
• Saturday, March 14th from 9am-2pm
• Saturday, April 18th from 9am-2pm
• Saturday, April 25th from 9am-2pm *(Troy Christian Fellowship, 78 Lake Creek Rd,
Troy MT; walk/fit test will be at 8am at the Airport track in Troy)
• Saturday, May 16th from 9am-2pm
• Saturday, June 6th from 9am-2pm
• Wednesday, June 17th from 9am-2pm *(Lawrence Park Pavilion in Kalispell)

WHERE: MWED office, 44 2nd Avenue West in Kalispell (unless noted otherwise)

HOW TO REGISTER: send an email to - [email protected] with name, contact info. how many people you will have attending and which date you prefer

COST: $45 per person if we have 15-20 people attending total; $40 per person if the class has more than 20 people attending (you will pay Jim the day of the class)

Further information details on the RT-130 course and who is required to take it can be found at https://www.nwcg.gov/publications/training-courses/rt-130.

06/01/2026

Montana Business Acceleration and Marketing (BAM) Program
Applications Now Open! Due June 30th!

The Montana Department of Agriculture is excited to offer the GTA Business Acceleration and Marketing Program (BAM), to support businesses entering expansionary phases of growth and to aid in the access, development, and expansion of new markets. Funds are available now and are awarded on a quarterly basis, in the order the application is received, until funds are expended. These funds are to:

- Help businesses access and develop new and existing markets.
- Support businesses in overcoming market barriers
- Expand businesses' digital/web offerings
- Fund projects still in early expansionary phase of development
- Support startup businesses in minimizing time to profitability.
- Offer expanding businesses the ability to establish groundwork for capital expenditure.
- Accelerate new, innovative products up to commercialization.

Award Amounts:
Grants up to $10,000, 50% cost-share over a one-year grant period.

Applications are reviewed quarterly. Apply by June 30th to be in the next proposal review.

Learn more at: https://bit.ly/4dfWKv1

05/29/2026

MWED Member Spotlight: Backslope Brewing

Backslope Brewing is a Columbia Falls staple where craft beer, great food, and community come together. Known for a rotating lineup of house-brewed beers and a menu that goes beyond standard pub fare, Backslope leans into seasonal ingredients and creative flavors - making it an easy pick for lunch, dinner, or a post-adventure pint. As the Flathead continues to grow, places like Backslope help keep our small-town downtowns lively, welcoming, and locally rooted year-round.

Learn more: https://www.backslopebrewing.com/

05/28/2026

Join MWED member Flathead Valley Community College on their 2026 Farm Tours. Visit a variety of local farms and see firsthand how food, flowers, livestock and other products are grown and raised in Northwest Montana. These active walking tours offer a chance to explore each farm, meet the farmers, learn about their practices and experience different approaches to agriculture.

Join them for a valuable opportunity to connect with the people behind our local farms.

Learn more and register at: https://campusce.fvcc.edu/fvcc/course/course.aspx?catId=114&fbclid=IwY2xjawRV_A5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhdk12aGVFMUlEaFhUeTQ3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlGsXFiODFWkRe2W8sChFiNC9EDmZ_1DLlc3I9b9e7Ef8gJXdTDzf2bVXDhC_aem_LoDdFqEmHamm7xezw7MPgA

05/27/2026

Doing what's right for patients, every time- that's the principle behind MWED member Mountain Physical Therapy and Fitness Center in Evergreen. Owner Mireille Bierens and her team of five providers offer everything from manual therapy and dry needling to pelvic floor health and sports injury recovery, plus a 94-degree aquatic therapy pool that's their pride and joy. It's no surprise they were named the Kalispell Chamber's 2024 Small Business of the Year.

Read their story in the Daily Inter Lake:

She said owning a medical clinic is not for the faint of heart—there are hiring challenges, insurance payouts to wait on and costly equipment to repair. But, creating a place where patients feel comfortable has always been her goal.

05/26/2026

Raise a glass to FADC client Bias Brewing - a shining example of Flathead business done right!

Since opening in Downtown Kalispell in 2018, co-owners Gabe Mariman and Adam Robertson have built their brewery around one word: community. That commitment runs deep - over 8,000 volunteer hours and $300,000+ raised for local nonprofits, plus a fierce dedication to Montana agriculture, turning 52,000 pounds of Montana-grown grain into 32,000 gallons of craft beer in 2025 alone. They've even relaunched the beloved Kalispell Brewing Company, bringing back fan favorites like the Two Ski Brewski.

From supporting local farmers to showing up for the people they serve, Bias Brewing proves that great beer and strong community go hand in hand. 🌾

Read their full story: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/2026/may/10/manufacturing-alliance-crafting-beer-alongside-montanas-agricultural-roots/

05/25/2026

Montana Festival
June 11-12, 2026

Montana Festival brings together 1,000 of the top entrepreneurs, place makers, creators, and policy leaders from Montana and across America to dream, design, and build the future. Across three main stages, 50+ speakers, hands-on workshops, evening gatherings, and curated experiences, Montana Festival showcases bold ideas that create good jobs, design great towns, and serve as a model for America.

Montana Festival tickets are $300 but the first 250 folks to use our discount code PARTNERS250 will receive tickets for $250.

Learn more and register at: https://www.montanafestival.org/event/e503e5d4-aaba-4018-9bca-66888fd87124/summary

05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day! Today we honor those who served. Thank you for your commitment and sacrifice.

05/22/2026

🌾 Farmers Market Season Is Here in the Flathead Valley! 🌾
There's no better way to support local growers, makers, and small businesses than spending time at one of our valley's farmers markets. From fresh produce and Montana honey to handmade pottery and live music, there's a market happening almost every day of the week. Here's your 2026 guide to where and when to find them

🗓️ MONDAY
Bigfork Monday Market
📍 Downtown Bigfork — Lake Baked / River View Bar lot, 191 Mill St
🕔 5:00–7:30 PM | May 25–September 7

🗓️ TUESDAY
Whitefish Downtown Farmers Market
📍 Depot Park, north end of Central Ave, Whitefish
🕔 5:00–7:30 PM | June 2–September 29

🗓️ THURSDAY
Columbia Falls Community Market
📍 165 Veteran Drive, Columbia Falls
🕔 5:00–8:00 PM | May 14–September 24

🗓️ SATURDAY
Kalispell Farmer's Market
📍 FVCC North Lot, 777 Grandview Dr, Kalispell
🕘 9:00 AM–12:30 PM | May 2–October 17

🗓️ SATURDAY
Lakeside Farmers Market
📍 Treasure State Coffee, 7188 US-93 S, Lakeside
🕘 9:00 AM–1:00 PM | Early June–end of September

🗓️ SUNDAY
Badrock Farmers Market
📍 Lawn of Forage & Floral, Downtown Columbia Falls
🕙 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | June 7–October 11

💡 Pro tip: Bring cash and a tote bag, and get there early for the best produce!

Which market is your go-to? Tell us in the comments where you'll be shopping local this season!

05/22/2026

MWED Member Spotlight: American Bank

American Bank is a locally owned Montana community bank that’s been serving Montanans since 1947, focused on relationship banking and real-world lending for the way people live and work here. In Northwest Montana, they support local growth through their Whitefish branch and a Kalispell loan production office, helping businesses and families access financing for everything from commercial projects to real estate and construction.

Learn more: https://www.americanbankmontana.com/

American Bank is a locally-owned and operated Montana bank with branches in Bozeman, Livingston, Whitefish, Big Timber and Big Sky.