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Public funding covers the basics in Montana schools, but targeted donations drive innovation. In this episode, Dorothy Drury of the Kalispell Education Foundation explains how levies fit into school funding, why they are not enough, and how a fast, teacher-focused grant process delivers both microgrants and larger annual awards that directly improve classrooms.

She shares the growth of the foundation’s impact—from under $10,000 serving about 1,000 students to roughly $50,000 reaching more than 5,600 students. Many grants fund durable tools that benefit students for years.

Community partnerships make this possible, including strong local bank support and a $25,000 Applied Materials gift launching a STEM fund for larger workforce-aligned projects. Listeners can help by staying informed on levies, donating to the foundation or STEM fund, and giving through matching campaigns to multiply impact.

Links:

Kalispell Education Foundation

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© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

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A bitter cold snap can turn the grid into a high-wire act, and few people understand those stakes like Mark Johnson, CEO and General Manager of Flathead Electric Cooperative (FEC) and the 2025 Kalispell Chamber Business Person of the Year. Mark's 25+ years at FEC brings decades of steady leadership to keeping power reliable and rates stable as the Flathead Valley grows. In this conversation, he explains the role of hydropower, the limits of transmission, and how long-term planning and a service-first mindset support affordable, dependable electricity.

Beyond the grid, Mark is deeply committed to community service, with long-standing volunteer leadership roles that reflect the cooperative model in action. He shares lessons from guiding organizations through challenging times, including Flathead Electric’s four-year rate freeze during COVID. The discussion also looks ahead to wildfire mitigation, grid modernization, and the need for meaningful local generation, offering practical insight into how thoughtful leadership and community engagement will shape the region’s energy future.

Flathead Electric Cooperative: Home - Flathead Electric Cooperative

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© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

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Growth is here, and today’s choices will shape Kalispell for decades. In this episode, Kalispell mayor-elect Ryan Hunter lays out a clear, practical agenda: protect waterways, expand attainable housing, improve street safety, and apply predictable standards that support a vibrant Parkline Trail—without overbuilding or fragmentation.

Drawing on six years on City Council and a background in land conservation, Ryan focuses on near-term action. He explains the need for stronger river and wetland buffers, outlines how “missing middle” housing can fit established neighborhoods, and discusses zoning updates tied to state timelines, including SB 382. He also shares why form-based codes may offer a more flexible, neighborhood-friendly approach.

Transportation and public investment round out the discussion. Ryan supports safer, multimodal streets that balance access and mobility, and he is direct about fiscal discipline: no subsidies for private projects the market already supports. Instead, he argues for investing in public infrastructure and targeted housing solutions. We close with how he plans to stay engaged—through open communication, regular updates, and expanded community forums.

City of Kalispell: Kalispell, MT | Official Website

Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber, and on twitter @KalispellChambr.
© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com