by John Dowd
The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority (RCEDA) are teaming up to bring business training classes back to the Bitterroot Valley.
The Business Basics Classes are designed to provide local business owners and entrepreneurs with practical instruction on topics ranging from marketing and financial management to human resources and business planning.
The program is being brought back with the help of a Montana Department of Commerce Opportunities in Rural Economies Capacity Building Grant. Julie Foster helped secure the grant for RCEDA, which is partnering with the Chamber to offer the classes.
RCEDA previously offered quarterly business instruction before the COVID-19 pandemic, covering topics such as business planning, financial projections, marketing and human resources. The program was moved online during the pandemic, but attendance declined and instructors found the Zoom format less effective.
Now, RCEDA and the Chamber are bringing the in-person program back. “We are excited to be able to provide it at a really reasonable cost,” said Jodi Mitchell, executive director of the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Classes will be held in the RCEDA conference room and will be taught by local
instructors with real-world experience. Each class costs $25 to attend.
The next class, scheduled for Oct. 15, will focus on social media for businesses. While registration for that class may have passed by the time this article is published, additional classes are planned throughout the year.
An AI basics class for businesses is scheduled for Oct. 22. Future topics are expected to include QuickBooks, public speaking, grant opportunities, human resources and other areas important to starting, expanding and operating a business. “We are kicking off with a multi-course curriculum covering business planning, financial management, and all things marketing — including AI and social media platforms like YouTube,” Foster said.
Additional classes will be announced on a rolling basis through June 2027.
The organizers plan to offer classes throughout the year, primarily outside of the summer months. Several courses will also be offered again in the spring, giving business owners an opportunity to refresh their knowledge or attend classes they may have missed.
Foster said the program is intended to provide businesses in the valley with additional support as they navigate the challenges of operating in a rural community. “The Bitterroot Valley is really blooming and the businesses here get fantastic support through awareness with the Chamber and all the partners,” Foster said. “It is a challenging time for businesses and I’m so happy that through the Tourism RLF we can help support with a leg up on projects!”
RCEDA also plans to connect some of the training classes with its Outreach and Networking Lunch and Learn events. Those events will be held at businesses that have received loans through the authority, allowing participants to hear directly from business owners and lenders about the relationship between training, financing and business success.
Those interested in upcoming classes can find registration information through the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce website, at bitterrootchamber.com.
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