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The next Kalispell Chamber of Commerce Thinking Thursday is 8:30 to 10 a.m., Feb. 21.

Jennifer Crowley, owner of Eagleview West, will speak about how aging demographics provide opportunities for entrepreneurs, community partners and stakeholders.

Explore information about the latest technology and innovations improving the lives of older adults. This seminar helps prepare business owners with information and tools to assist their older adult clients.

Eagleview West is a leader in the aging industry.

This free event is limited to 35 participants. Call 758-2800.

Nominations now accepted for Employer of Choice awards

The Flathead Job Service Employers Council recognizes businesses that create great workplaces with the Employer of Choice award. The deadline for nominations is March 1.

Businesses will be scored on four criteria — employee benefits/initiatives. leadership and workplace culture. employee training and development, and community orientation

Awards will be given to one employer in each of three categories — businesses with fewer than 25 employees, those with 25-50 employees and those with 51 and more employees.

Pick up a nomination form at the Job Service Kalispell office, 427 First Ave. E., or to receive an email form, call Betsy Nelson at Job Service Kalispell at 758-6200.

For more information, call Nelson or email betsy.nelson@mtL.gov

Apply soon for Leadership Flathead program

Applications for Leadership Flathead are due May 1.

Leadership Flathead develops leadership skills, increases awareness of significant local issues, and builds a network of community leaders.

Sessions will focus on topics such as education and workforce training, public safety, culture and tourism, human services, and planning, growth and government.Skill-building includes conflict resolution, strategic planning, organizational change, collaboration and more.

Applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the program in July and will begin their two-year commitment with an overnight development retreat in September, followed by nine monthly skills-building sessions through June 2019.

To supplement the training, participants will assume a leadership role with a community organization or engage in a community project during their second year.

For more information on the program, and for the online application, visit www.kalispellchamber.com/leadership-flathead.

Tourism awards recognize state’s industry leaders

The Montana Department of Commerce recognizes the best events, people, places and projects representing the tourism and recreation industry each year.

Categories include the Heritage and Cultural Tourism Award, Marketing Campaign of the Year, and Tourism Ambassador as well as two new categories: Outstanding Tourism Volunteer Award and Private and Public Collaboration Award. The Montana Film Office will select a Film Community of the Year.

Online nominations will be accepted through Thursday, Feb. 28. To submit a nomination, visit the Montana Tourism Awards website at MTGovernorsConference.com.

Judges from across the state will review the nominations and select up to four finalists per category. Winners will be announced during the April 14 banquet held as part of the Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Recreation in Butte.

Montana Tourism Awards winners from 2018 were Visit Billings for Marketing Campaign of the Year, Red Ants Pants Music Festival for Event of the Year, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center for Heritage and Cultural Tourism Award, Dillon and Virginia City for Film Friendly Community, Ovando for Community of the Year, and Edward Des Rosier for Tourism Ambassador.

Learn to create a workplace for all generations

A focus on hiring and retaining employees of all generations will be the topic of the next Job Service Kalispell Blueprint for Business Success from noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Flathead Valley Community College.

Every generation has its own way of thinking, working, communicating and processing information. As a business owner, hiring manager and supervisor, how can you effectively engage and encourage all your employees to work as a team?

Presenter Jordan Nelson will discuss characteristics of generations in the workplace, how to improve communication and team work and suggestions for overcoming generational differences. Nelson is Managing Partner at Express Employment Professionals.

There is no cost to attend. Register at blueprintforbusinesssucess.eventbrite.com

For more information call Job Service Kalispell at 758-6200.

Grants awarded to agricultural organizations

Gov. Steve Bullock and the Agriculture Development Council recently announced the recipients of $447,300 in grants to agricultural businesses and organizations. A total of 20 businesses and organizations were awarded funds through the Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program.

The GTA program was established by the legislature to strengthen and diversify Montana’s agriculture industry by developing new agricultural products and processes. GTA funding requires the investment of at least $1 in matching funds for every $1 in grant or loan assistance received.

Grants for Northwest Montana:

Native Seed Foundation, Polson, $16,500 to assist with the purchase of seed processing equipment and training costs.

Fat Robin Orchard, Polson, $17,700 to assist with the construction of a new value-added cherry processing facility.

Mountain Kind Farm, Somers, $35,000 to assist with the expansion and processing equipment costs for the vegetable farm and livestock operation.

Limberlost Brewing Company, Thompson Falls, $19,000 to assist with construction costs for a new brewery sourcing Montana-grown ingredients.