Economic development groups get new leader

Today's unconventional business climate might be daunting to some, but not Christy Cummings Dawson.

On Thursday, she will assume the role of president and CEO at Montana West Economic Development and the Flathead County Economic Development Authority.

Despite the present challenges — recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, a gangbusters real estate market and a labor shortage — Cummings Dawson is enthusiastic about her new leadership position.

"There is no better place and time to do business than the Flathead right now," she said.

The two economic development organizations work in tandem throughout the valley to support business, spur redevelopment and encourage a robust economic atmosphere.

The organizations' most recent high-profile project was the creation of the Glacier Rail Park in northeast Kalispell. The new industrial park made it possible to relocate downtown rail-served businesses and start construction on Kalispell's Parkline Trail.

Cummings Dawson's predecessor, Jerry Meerkatz, helped bring in the final rail park tenant this spring at the end of his five-year tenure at the helm of MWED and FCEDA.

Now that the rail park is at capacity, Cummings Dawson wants to direct her focus to growing Montana West's membership.

THE BUSINESS group already boasts more than 100 member businesses, but she hopes to expand beyond that. The end goal, she explained, is fostering interconnectivity and finding collaborative solutions to issues such as labor, housing and childcare.

Cummings Dawson will take a two-pronged approach to growth, forging connections with businesses already in the area and working to attract new companies to relocate.

"I really hope that's going to force some creative solutions," she said.

With its 100-member roster, MWED is perfectly positioned to put together diverse members of the valley's business community. This year, the organization added a new membership director position to better facilitate those connections.

"We have a good networking tool here at MWED," Cummings Dawson noted.

She'd also like to encourage new businesses to put down roots here, in a way that meets the needs of locals and newcomers alike.

"We want to focus on companies that are a good fit," she stressed.

Cummings Dawson pointed to GL Solutions as an example of the kind of company she'd like to attract.

The Bend, Oregon, tech company moved its headquarters to Kalispell in April. To Cummings Dawson, GL is an example of a high-paying employer with an appreciation for the local lifestyle and the capacity to diversify Northwest Montana.

It's important, she added, to encourage growth among businesses that offer something new, but appreciate the Flathead for what it is.

"It's unfortunate when growth changes a place completely," she said.

SHE COMES to her new position with a mixture of local knowledge and outside perspective. Cummings Dawson served as MWED's Procurement Technical Assistance Center Adviser for the past two years, helping small businesses navigate government contracts.

Before that, Cummings Dawson worked as a community development director in her home county of Siskiyou in Northern California, just across the border from Oregon.

She described Siskiyou as a rural area with an industrial history built on lumber and agriculture — a lot like her new home in Kalispell.

But in Siskiyou, she said, the community "isn't seeing a lot of growth and development."

Cummings Dawson came to Kalispell because it offered an opportunity to keep up with her favorite outdoor pastimes without sacrificing some modern comforts.

"It's nice to be able to go to Costco without leaving the state," she said.

"It's the best of both worlds," she added. "I hope we get to keep a balance of that."

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at 406-758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com.