Flathead Business Watercooler
‘Startup roadmap’ helps start new businesses
America’s Small Business Development Centers–Montana is hosting a “Startup Roadmap” event from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on March 17. The free event will be hosted via Zoom videoconference. The event is designed for individuals who would like to start their own business. It provides an overview of things to know about start-up costs, financing options, and business planning. To register, go to https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/5250.
Workforce Flathead sign-ups open
The WorkForce Flathead Summer Jobs Program is accepting business sign-ups and student applications for its inaugural summer. Businesses provide a summer job lasting a minimum of six weeks for a student, ages 16-19, and student participants commit to investing their time in pre-employment essential skills training and weekly mentoring provided through the framework of the program. Workforce Flathead is looking to place up to 32 students from throughout the Flathead Valley with summer jobs that match their interests, with the goal of fostering their learning, skills, and professional contacts. To learn more about signing up, visit https://www.americanjobs4youth.org/sjpemployers.
Job fair opportunities open
Sign ups are now open for the 2022 NW Montana Job & Opportunity Fair, held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 14 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds Expo and Grandstand Buildings. A partnership between the Kalispell Job Service, Flathead Valley Community College, the Daily Inter Lake, and Discover Kalispell Chamber, this year’s fair has invited local high schools to bring students for career exploration from 9 to 11 a.m., Veterans and Encore workers (retirees/seniors looking to re-engage in the workforce) for the 11 a.m. to noon hour, and is open to the general public from noon to 4 p.m. Exhibition spaces in the Expo building are limited. Sign up at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPxo2FkCFKaxJIB3BJWEEkI5C3PtNfiRcMKdfCXSpIkMpWAw/viewform.
Chamber to debut workforce initiative
The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly Business Matters luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on March 15 at the Hilton Garden Inn. The luncheon will announce the debut of Workforce Flathead, a comprehensive initiative to address local workforce challenges. To register, go to https://kalispellareachamberofcommerce.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/Dr6ZYNRr?sourceTypeId=Website&mode=Attendee.
MSU offers retirement planning course
Montana State University will host a four-week course on planning and investing for retirement. The course will be held Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. April 6-27 in Animal Biosciences Building room 138 on MSU’s campus. Instructor Ed Tompkins will educate attendees on today’s investment landscape as well as principles to improve their planning for retirement.
The course is $79 per person or $129 if two people register together. Interested individuals can register at ato.montana.edu/enrich or call MSU Academic Technology and Outreach at 406-994-6550.