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Mid-year survey from Kalispell Chamber of Commerce indicates strong growth trend for the remainder of 2014

Chamber announces third and fourth quarter events designed to enhance anticipated growth

KALISPELL, Mont. (July 29, 2014) The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce http://www.kalispellchamber.com/ today announced the findings of its mid-year business survey indicate Kalispell businesses anticipate strong growth in the third and fourth quarters of 2014.

Data for the mid-year survey was collected from 205 owners and managers of businesses in Northwest Montana. Key findings include:

* 30% expect to add employees through the end of the year

* 62% expect to maintain their current level of employees

* 73% expect the business climate to improve throughout the end of the year.

"There are several factors driving this optimism. In 2014, we have seen an increase in local construction employment and a strong start to our 2014 tourism season," stated Joe Unterreiner, president for the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. "One of the valley’s largest industries, manufacturing, is gaining momentum at both the local and national level. Additionally, the Kalispell Chamber is tracking 553,000 square feet of commercial construction projects in process in 2014 that have a combined value of $168 million."

The Kalispell Chamber announced it is also ramping up for a strong second half with numerous initiatives designed to stimulate business growth and tourism.

"The Kalispell Chamber will use its efforts to accelerate these positive growth trends with two major tourism events: the Mountain Madness Air Show http://www.montanaairshow.com/ and the Dragon Boat Festival http://montana.racedragonboats.com/ ," continues Unterreiner.

In addition to tourism, the Chamber will also launch several initiatives to benefit other key industry sectors. These events include Flathead Manufacturing Day http://www.mfgday.com/?utm_source=MFGDAY.com&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Attendees%20Campaign and the Timber Tour, both scheduled for October. In November, the Chamber will organize its second annual Small Business Saturday, building on the success of last year’s event.

For those interested receiving a statewide economic update, the Ninth Annual Mid-Year Economic Outlook Series hosted by the University of Montana and the Montana Chamber Foundation will be held on July 31 at the Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell. The event will start at 12 p.m. and is open to the public. For more information or to register call 406-442-2405.

About the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitor Bureau

Since 1904, the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce has been a leading voice in strengthening our community and the local business climate, making Kalispell and the Flathead Valley an ideal location to live and work. The Chamber consists of 700 businesses and organizations, which employ over half of the workforce in Flathead County, Montana. http://www.kalispellchamber.com/

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The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce is the longest-standing and leading advocate for the Flathead Valley community and business climate.

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