Business
The latest business news from Northwest Montana and beyond. In-depth coverage of local enterprises, economic trends, market updates, and entrepreneurial success stories.
US home sales flat in April as lackluster spring homebuying season lurches forward
Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes were essentially flat in April, another lackluster showing for the housing…
Kalispell retail shop focuses on handcrafted goods
Handcrafted goods are on full display at a new retail shop in downtown Kalispell.
Montana’s tourists are getting older, richer and rarer
The number of people who visited Montana last year declined by 3.6% to 13.8 million compared to 2024.
Flathead Business Watercooler
Events related to business in the Flathead Valley
Kalispell tourism saw decline in international travel in 2025
International visitor spending in Kalispell declined significantly in 2025, reflecting a sharp drop across the country in overseas inbound travel, according to…
Montana’s tourists are getting older, richer and rarer
While Montana saw fewer tourists in 2025, they came with more gray hair — and more dollars for Montana businesses.
Montana-Canada border traffic falls sharply in 2025
Container crossings fell 21% and inbound visitation dropped 29% over the first 11 months of the year.
Whitefish Liquor Store pours into new, larger location
For many years, the Whitefish Liquor Store’s general manager, Jen Hurlbert always knew when Manager Jared Zuege was in the building because her schedule, held …
Flathead Business Watercooler
Happenings related to business in the Flathead Valley
Landmark Whitefish bars listed for sale
The Great Northern Bar and the Remington Bar are for sale.
Wellness and recovery facility opens inside Bigfork's Montana Athletic Club
The Elysian Institute offers 15 new therapies for wellness and recovery — including cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen, IV nutrient therapy and red light therapy.
Four years of legalized adult-use marijuana in Montana produces more than $1 billion in sales
Adult-use sales remain on a growth trajectory while medical sales fell over 70%.
Flathead Business Watercooler
Happenings related to business in the Flathead Valley
Taiwan hails its ‘best’ trade deal with US, as China protests
Taiwan's premier has hailed a new trade deal with the United States as the "best tariff deal" enjoyed by countries with trade surpluses with Washington, while …
Chinese EVs are making inroads in North America. That worries industry experts
China's rapid development of electric vehicles had competitors concerned even before Canada this week agreed to cut its tariffs on EVs in exchange for concessi…
Logan Health primary care providers approve unionization
A solid majority of Logan Health primary care providers voted Thursday to unionize.