October Economic Development Meeting

Join us for our monthly economic development meeting put on by the Columbia Falls Area Chamber. Coffee is on the Chamber and breakfast is available for purchase. 

Event is open to the public and Chamber members.  

Featured Speaker - Deanna Morrow, Brownfields Coordinator, Montana West Economic Development

Presentation Description - In 2023, Montana West Economic Development received a $500,000 Brownfields Assessment Grant from the U.S. EPA. These funds can be used to help assess Brownfields sites throughout Flathead County, identifying contaminated industrial and commercial properties that may be cleaned up and returned to productive reuse and redevelopment. Example properties include abandoned gas stations, underused industrial or commercial properties, buildings where lead-based paint or asbestos are a concern, meth-impacted buildings, and vehicle/equipment maintenance facilities. MWED is actively seeking feedback from the community regarding potential brownfield sites that may be prime for reuse or redevelopment.

Speaker Bio- Deanna joined the Montana West Economic Development team as the Brownfields Coordinator in October 2023, but she has a long history of supporting economic development initiatives in communities across the country. In her most recent past role with the Montana World Trade Center, she worked alongside the Montana Department of Commerce and other economic development organizations across Montana to attract international investment into the state. In her free time, Deanna and her family enjoy gardening, hiking, and cycling, and is eager to learn cross-country skiing this winter.