New Entrepreneurship Center Opens at Flathead Valley Community College
Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) yesterday opened the Wachholz Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, a new hub designed to foster business development and innovation within the community.
The 7,000-square-foot center, located on the Kalispell campus, will provide resources, mentorship, and connections for both aspiring and established entrepreneurs. A $4 million donation from local businessman Paul Wachholz in 2023 made the center possible, building on his previous support for the Wachholz College Center. Wachholz, reflecting on his own entrepreneurial journey which began with a newspaper route, stated, “We don’t know what terrific business might come out of here, but I guarantee you that a lot of small businesses will come out of here.”
The center’s director, Eric Harry, emphasized a broad definition of entrepreneurship, stating, “Are you building something or solving problems? Then this place is for you.” He explained the center aims to cultivate an innovative mindset across all disciplines, not just within traditional business programs, potentially impacting fields like nursing, trades, and culinary arts. FVCC President Jane Karas added that the center is “a place to learn, experiment and grow,” and will help turn ideas into opportunities. The rise of small businesses is a key driver of economic growth, according to the Small Business Administration.
The center will host a monthly “Brew x Build” coffee meet-up starting November 12th at 8:30 a.m., alongside future workshops and mentorship programs. More information about the center and its offerings can be found on the Wachholz Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center website.
Officials anticipate the center will serve as a catalyst for economic development in the Flathead Valley and beyond.
