Newsmakers

Glacier Bancorp Inc., a bank holding company headquartered in Kalispell, was awarded the 2017 Montana Lending Institution of the Year Award By the Montana & Idaho Community Development Corp.

The company has helped connect Montana businesses and projects with more than $48 million in capital – more than any other commercial lender in the state. Glacier Bancorp did this by referring clients to the Missoula-based nonprofit development corporation’s small-business lending program or by partnering together on tax credit financing for large-scale development projects. Among the clients supported in 2017 were the Missoula Food Bank, a Bozeman motel and an artisanal cheese maker in Sheridan.

Montana & Idaho Community Development Corp. is a nonprofit financing company that provides capital to businesses, projects and communities that need some additional help to get their projects financed. Its programs include lending to small businesses including some “nearly bankable” businesses, many of them startups, and lending through New Markets Tax Credits, a federal program designed to incentivize investment in economically underserved areas.

Glacier Bancorp’s operating divisions in Montana include Glacier Bank in Kalispell, First Security Bank of Missoula, Valley Bank of Helena, First Security Bank in Bozeman, Western Security Bank in Billings and First Bank of Montana in Lewistown.

Lisa Kelly of Kalispell has been appointed to the state 911 Advisory Council by Gov. Steve Bullock. Kelly is an account manager for CenturyLink and will represent Montana telecommunications providers on the state council.

BJ and Joli Johnson of Sea Me Paddle and Spoke and Paddle recently were named Chamber Members of the Year by the Lakeside-Somers Chamber of Commerce. The Johnsons, who both previously worked as guides in Glacier National Park, opened Sea Me Paddle in 2013, offering kayaking and stand-up paddle-board tours and rentals. Last year they expanded, opening Spoke & Paddle in Somers, which includes bike rentals and vacation rentals along with kayak and paddle-board rentals.

Sam and Sue Bagley recently were named Community Service Volunteers of the Year by the Lakeside-Somers Chamber of Commerce. Sam started a community basketball program in Lakeside and has spearheaded an effort to bring an auditorium to Lakeside. Sue is actively involved with the West Shore Community Library and the Lakeside Elementary School library. She has been involved with HolidayFest and serves senior lunches in Lakeside.