Elmo
Elmo, MT · Business
Hungry Horse News
CFAC will pay millions to clean up old aluminum plant. It fought in court to pay far less
Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. has agreed to pay $57.6 million to clean up the former smelter site in Columbia Falls, according to a proposed agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency, though the previous owner ARCO, will ultimately reimburse the company 35% of that cost. The cleanup plan includes placing a slurry wall of bentonite around the wet scrubber sludge pond and west landfill where leachate and spent pot liner from the plant was dumped for years. Both areas have been found to be leaking high amounts of cyanide and fluoride into the nearby groundwater, though by the time the groundwater reaches the Flathead River, the concentrations have been shown to be greatly diminished, according to tests done by the company and vetted by the Environmental Protection Agency and state Department of Environmental Quality. The proposed consent decree marks a milestone. The property was listed as a Superfund site in 2016 and it has taken a decade to finalize the cleanup plan. In addition to the $57 million, Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. has also agreed to pay the EPA $1.8 million in past and future response costs and will also reimburse Montana for “any independent state future response costs incurred by
KPAX
Two Montana nonprofits help Kalispell mobile home residents own their land
NBCMontana
EPA inks clean-up agreement with Columbia Falls aluminum plant
COLUMBIA FALLS, Mont. — The owner of a sprawling, long-shuttered aluminum plant in Columbia Falls has agreed to pay $57.6 million to mitigate pollution associated with decades of aluminum smelting. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a statement Tuesday applauding an agreement with Columbia Falls Aluminum Company that outlines...
Flathead Beacon
Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Agrees to $57.6 Million Cleanup Plan at Superfund Site
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday announced that Columbia Falls Aluminum Co., LLC (CFAC) officially agreed to the roughly $57.6 million price tag attached to the Superfund cleanup plan at its former site north of the Flathead River. In the consent decree finalized with the responsible parties —...
NBCMontana
Flathead Electric upgrades underway to meet growing demand
KALISPELL, Mont. — Flathead Electric Cooperative is making major investments to keep up with northwest Montana’s rapid growth. Co-op leaders say the upgrades are about preparing the power grid for the region’s future. This summer, crews are working on substation upgrades, new transformers, underground power lines, and...
Flathead Beacon
Flathead Cherry Producers Say Harvests are ‘Hit or Miss’ this Summer
After an early spring cold snap froze a portion of Flathead cherry buds at the start of the fruit’s bloom, producers say this year’s crop is “hit or miss” on the east shore while a low supply from Washington will raise prices in northwest Montana. Brian...
Flathead Beacon
Floor Space: What You Can Buy for About $800,000
This home has filtered views of Flathead Lake and an expansive floor plan, vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. It also features a chef’s kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Outside is a massive deck overlooking a level lawn and fully fenced backyard. Performance Real Estate. MLS...
Whitefish Pilot
Why resilient commercial buildings are becoming a community priority
Focusing on more resilient commercial buildings means protection for workers by reducing accident risk. These spaces are also safety refuges during emergencies such as local grid failures during heatwaves or temporary shelter from storms, in part due to backup solar generation and reinforced entryways. When businesses don't have to shut down for extended periods by being in more resilient buildings, it also protects the local economy. The Center for Sustainable Systems reports that by 2050, commercial floor space is expected to reach 143 billion square feet, a 38% increase from 2024 . Warehouses have the most space, and such buildings can include gymnasiums, hospitals, and retail, making them ideal candidates for resilient design. Why Is There a Greater Focus on Sustainable Architecture? Secure community infrastructure is a necessity as extreme climate events occur more frequently and at greater intensity. These events include longer, more severe heat waves and larger hurricanes, which can be highly destructive through shattered windows, blown-off roofs, and flooding. In other words, traditional building codes are no longer enough to guarantee safety in a structure. More commercial properties must be able to withstand the impact from fierce weather events since they are part of the urban ecosystem
Flathead Beacon
The Face Behind Kalispell Montana Hidden Gems
Emilie Sangimino started Kalispell Montana Hidden Gems with a simple mission: to help promote the local businesses and places she loved in the Flathead Valley. Fast forward, and the social media accounts Sangimino started on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok have a combined following of more than 113,000. Per analytics, the content she shares to highlight businesses in the area get upward of 1.5 million views per month. She’s expanded beyond her own base of Kalispell, highlighting businesses that are “hidden gems” in Billings, Missoula and Bozeman, with the help of local managers in each area. Hidden Gems has its own website as well, featuring businesses across several sectors like health & wellness; food & drink; places to stay; fun & adventure; shopping; professional services; and events.
NBCMontana
Flathead Electric upgrades power system across Northwest Montana to meet demand
KALISPELL, Mont. — Flathead Electric Cooperative is making major upgrades to its power system across northwest Montana to keep up with growing energy demands. The work includes substation upgrades, new transformers, underground line projects and power line repairs in Whitefish, Bigfork, Lakeside, Hungry Horse, Kalispell and the Swan. The...
NBCMontana
Coal Bank Salvage Project to help restore the Flathead National Forest
KALISPELL, Mont. — The Flathead National Forest announced the Coal Banks Salvage Project. This will take place in three areas. There will be 110 acres of salvage harvest and active management at Coal Creek, 37 acres near Firefighter Mountain, 81 acres near Spotted Bear airstrip summing roughly 228 acres of commercia harvest and post-harvest fuel treatments.
Flathead Beacon
Floor Space: What You Can Buy for About $750,000
Where: 14000 North Fork Rd. This 5-acre wilderness retreat is set in the coveted North Fork Valley along Glacier National Park’s western boundary. The property includes a log cabin, guest cabin, oversized double garage and a pole barn. The main cabin has an open layout, remodeled bath, mud room and storage. PureWest Real Estate.
Whitefish Pilot
Concerns with energy resource plan
Even though the Flathead Valley has some of the cheapest energy in the region supplied by Flathead Electric Co-op, there are many good reasons residents should write the PSC to comment on Northwestern Energy’s 20-year plan, or Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). Northwestern Energy’s intent to invest in the most expensive and polluting power plants to increase profits on the back of rate payers and the environment hurts all Montanans. Looking back from 2009 to 2026 Northwestern Energy’s rates have increased 99%. This IRP is no different than past IRPs with Northwestern favoring coal, gas and now nuclear over renewables like wind and solar. Their models devalue renewable energy, battery storage and transmission making coal, gas and unproven nuclear look more desirable and affordable. They do not address climate change impacts and other external costs to Montanans such as radiation, as the Department of Energy slashes regulations on new nuclear plants allowing less stringent radiation containment. The PSC needs to hear from you with your concerns about the IRP. To get informed you can go to https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/cz2RCgJODRTPwlZkFNfOc450Es?domain=meic.org, or the MEIC YouTube site. The comment period ends July 28. Steven Martinez, Kalispell
businessdailynetwork.com
Kalispell Farmers Market on July 18, 2026
The Kalispell Farmers Market offers the freshest produce grown in the Flathead Valley and an array of locally made goods. Every Saturday during the summer and fall from 9 am to 12:30 pm, local farmers sell everything from meat and eggs, fruits and vegetables, to baked goods, native plants and trees. Shop for handmade jewelry, pottery, soaps, paintings, and many more creations by the region’s talented artisans.