Venture Boldly

Jennifer Cronk
  • 5.0 (6)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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A podcast from The Discover Kalispell Chamber about the initiatives, programs, people, news and businesses you need to know about in Kalispell and the Flathead Valley.

  1. Downtown Kalispell Forward: A New Chapter for Kalispell’s Core

    MAR 23

    Downtown Kalispell Forward: A New Chapter for Kalispell’s Core

    Send us your feedback! Downtown Kalispell is evolving quickly, and community leaders are working to ensure that growth happens with intention. In this episode, Brenden Craig of First Interstate Bank sits down with Lorraine Clarno, President and CEO of the Kalispell Chamber, and Gabe Mariman of Bias Brewing to discuss Downtown Kalispell Forward—a new alignment that brings the Kalispell Downtown Association under the Chamber. The conversation explains why this change matters now and how it creates a clearer, more coordinated voice for downtown businesses and partners. The discussion also explores what the merger means in practical terms for Main Street. From simplifying dues and reducing administrative overlap to strengthening event support and advocacy, the goal is a more efficient structure that helps downtown thrive. The group also looks ahead to the next 12–18 months, discussing how stronger collaboration can support business vitality, tourism, and talent attraction while shaping a vibrant, active downtown for residents and visitors alike. Downtown Forward - Kalispell Chamber Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  info@kalispellchamber.com

    29 min
  2. Smart Growth, Strong Community: Inside Kalispell’s Next Chapter with City Manager, Jarod Nygren

    MAR 9

    Smart Growth, Strong Community: Inside Kalispell’s Next Chapter with City Manager, Jarod Nygren

    Send us your feedback! Kalispell is growing, and the decisions we make now will shape the next decade. In this episode, City Manager Jarod Nygren breaks down how the city is planning for infrastructure, housing, and downtown vitality to stay ahead of that growth. We discuss long-range planning, permitting timelines, and how clear policies create predictability for residents, businesses, and investors. We also explore attainable homeownership options, workforce stability, and the role of parks, trails, and Main Street improvements in preserving community character. If you want a clear look at where Kalispell is headed—and how growth can be managed thoughtfully—this conversation is worth your time. City of Kalispell: Kalispell, MT | Official Website Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  info@kalispellchamber.com

    30 min
  3. Growing Roots Early Learning Center: A Conversation with Center Director, Leigh Ann Downie-Economy

    FEB 24

    Growing Roots Early Learning Center: A Conversation with Center Director, Leigh Ann Downie-Economy

    Send us your feedback! Childcare is essential workforce infrastructure. In this episode, Leigh Ann Downie-Economy, Director of Growing Roots Early Learning Center in Kalispell, shares what it takes to create a high-quality early learning center—from facility upgrades and safety requirements to hiring and retaining strong educators. We discuss how ARPA funding supported launch and expansion, the real cost of care, and where demand is highest in the Flathead Valley—especially for infants, toddlers, and after-school programs. This conversation offers practical insight for families, employers, and community leaders navigating today’s childcare landscape. Growing Roots Early Learning Center Immanuel Living Best Beginnings Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  info@kalispellchamber.com

    27 min
  4. Kalispell Education Foundation: Community Support, Classroom Impact

    FEB 10

    Kalispell Education Foundation: Community Support, Classroom Impact

    Send us your feedback! Public funding covers the basics in Montana schools, but targeted donations drive innovation. In this episode, Dorothy Drury of the Kalispell Education Foundation shares how Montana school funding really works and how the KEF's fast, teacher-driven grants are turning small dollars into real classroom impact.  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.   Tune in to learn more about the difference that the Kalispell Education Foundation makes in Kalispell Public Schools.  Links: Kalispell Education Foundation Thank you to our podcast sponsors, First Interstate Bank, Weyerhaeuser, and Nomad GCS for helping make this podcast possible.  Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  info@kalispellchamber.com

    29 min
  5. 2025 Business Person of the Year: Mark Johnson

    12/22/2025

    2025 Business Person of the Year: Mark Johnson

    Send us your feedback! 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 Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  info@kalispellchamber.com

    28 min
  6. A Conversation with Kalispell Mayor-elect, Ryan Hunter

    12/15/2025

    A Conversation with Kalispell Mayor-elect, Ryan Hunter

    Send us your feedback! 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. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  info@kalispellchamber.com

    26 min
  7. 2025 Rising Star Award Winner- Miles Terry

    12/08/2025

    2025 Rising Star Award Winner- Miles Terry

    Send us your feedback! Join us as we meet with Miles Terry, Vice President of Terry Homes and the Kalispell Chamber’s 2025 Rising Star.   As the VP of Terry Homes, a family-owned homebuilder that's been building homes in the Flathead for over 30 years, Miles discusses how a family builder can deliver attainable, high-quality homes without cutting corners—and his answer blends grit, data, and community. Miles takes us from early job site memories and into a modernization push that rethinks homebuilding from the studs to the software. He breaks down a closed-loop purchase order system, a 400-point quality and conditions inspection platform that slashes warranty claims, and customer-facing innovations like 3D photos, a home visualizer, and self-guided tours. We talk about the gap between construction costs and local wages, and why predictable, transparent permitting is essential for builders to plan responsibly and keep prices within reach. We also dive into leadership, tech modernization and the future of housing.  If you care about attainable housing, construction tech, or how policy and industry can work together to serve real families in the Flathead Valley, this conversation offers insights from a rising star in the Flathead. Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  info@kalispellchamber.com

    22 min
  8. 2025 Flathead Legacy Award Winner: Bob Nystuen

    11/10/2025

    2025 Flathead Legacy Award Winner: Bob Nystuen

    Send us your feedback! In this episode, we sit down with 2025 Flathead Legacy Award recipient Bob Nystuen to trace his path from North Dakota roots to leading Glacier Bank and shaping the Flathead’s business and education landscape. He shares how capital, culture, and service align: gather deposits, make sound loans, recruit great people, and share results so everyone rows together. When COVID-19 hit, that preparation helped his team process over 2,000 PPP loans—keeping businesses afloat through closures and uncertainty. Bob offers leadership lessons and steady guidance for today’s leaders facing AI, workforce shifts, and market change: be authentic, show gratitude, and lead with calm confidence. We also explore his deep ties to education, from FVCC’s growth to statewide efforts advancing healthcare, manufacturing, trades, and dual-credit programs that connect students to careers. Looking ahead, Bob shares his predications for the Flathead. His call to action—invest in education, civic leadership, and innovation—offers a clear path to a resilient future. If you care about community banking, workforce development, or Montana’s economic future, this episode delivers real-world insight and inspiration. Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help others find the show. Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  info@kalispellchamber.com

    39 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

A podcast from The Discover Kalispell Chamber about the initiatives, programs, people, news and businesses you need to know about in Kalispell and the Flathead Valley.

Information

  • Creator
    Jennifer Cronk
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    75
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Venture Boldly, The Discover Kalispell Chamber
  • Show Website
    Venture Boldly

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