The new SpringHill Suites Hotel when under construction
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About FCEDAFCEDA collaborates with corporate professionals, developers, local units of government, and community organizations to strengthen the Flathead’s business and lifestyle assets. As Flathead County’s economic development arm, FCEDA responsibly invests public funds into local projects that produce a strong return in job retention and creation, and in infrastructure that attracts or retains business. The FCEDA board is comprised of individuals possessing years of combined business and real estate experience with a track record of success in entrepreneurial endeavors.
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How is FCEDA structured?
The Flathead County Commission voted to create the Flathead County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) in 1999 to stimulate local and regional commerce, create jobs, and strengthen the county’s tax base. The commission appoints a volunteer board of seven county residents to explore economic development opportunities and manage Authority funds to be directed toward those opportunities.
Collaboration between county government and private business allows for an effective public-private partnership that works on behalf of taxpayers. Montana West Economic Development, a private nonprofit, is contracted by FCEDA to provide management and administration services, creating a streamlined alliance that oversees budget, personnel and efficient execution of the board’s economic development mission.
Collaboration between county government and private business allows for an effective public-private partnership that works on behalf of taxpayers. Montana West Economic Development, a private nonprofit, is contracted by FCEDA to provide management and administration services, creating a streamlined alliance that oversees budget, personnel and efficient execution of the board’s economic development mission.
The historic courthouse in South Kalispell
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The Alternate Route Project under construction
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How is FCEDA funded?The Flathead County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) is supported by a two mill levy, set in place by the Flathead County Commissioners. Additionally, FCEDA works with outside funding sources to procure dollars for economic development projects, including state resources such as the Montana Board of Investments and the Montana Department of Commerce's Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund Program.
The City of Kalispell and FCEDA were instrumental in obtaining a highly competitive $10 million federal TIGER grant for Kalispell’s Core & Rail Redevelopment, which relocated the city’s railroad tracks, stimulated investment in Kalispell’s Core Area, and constructed an industrial business park for rail served businesses. FCEDA’s philosophy is to invest in projects that offer strong returns, in the form of economic growth, jobs, and an expanded tax base, for the communities where the projects are located and the county as a whole. The board has an annual budget and funds projects based on priority. Its mission is to spur private investment. To date, FCEDA investments have helped to create thousands of jobs and stimulate numerous sectors of the economy, including major achievements with Glacier Park International Airport and key companies such as SoClean, Learned Reality, Nomad Global Communication Solutions, The ZaneRay Group, Total Label USA, TTech, SmartLam, ViZn Energy Systems, and more. |
SmartLam
Proof Research
Flathead Valley Community College
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