Northwest Montana Joins the Rural Innovation Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 21, 2026

[Kalispell, Mont.] — Northwest Montana has joined the Rural Innovation Network, a national initiative led by the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) that connects rural communities working to build stronger innovation economies through entrepreneurship, tech-based economic development, and local ecosystem building.

CORI is a national nonprofit that helps small towns and rural regions create more economic opportunity by supporting entrepreneurship, expanding tech talent development, and strengthening the local systems that help innovation take root and grow. Through the Rural Innovation Network, community leaders across the country share strategies, learn from one another, and build the relationships needed to grow durable, inclusive innovation economies in rural America.

Northwest Montana joins the Network with a strong foundation of regional collaboration and entrepreneurial momentum, anchored by partners including the Wachholz Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center, Flathead Valley Community College, and the Montana High Tech Business Alliance. Together, these partners are helping create pathways for founders, students, and communities across the region to build and grow in place.

For Northwest Montana, joining the Rural Innovation Network brings new opportunities to connect with peers across the country, strengthen local entrepreneurship support systems, tap into the extensive research and data resources that CORI offers, and contribute to a growing national movement focused on rural innovation as a long-term economic strategy.

“The Flathead Valley is not short on founders with big ideas and a willingness to build; what we’ve lacked is connection to a national community of practice that takes rural entrepreneurship seriously as economic strategy, not just inspiration,” said Eric Harry, Founding Director of the Wachholz Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center

“Northwest Montana brings so much to this Network, strong regional leadership, a passion for place, and a clear commitment to building an entrepreneurial ecosystem where trust, belonging, and warm connections to people and resources are at the foundation,” said Leah Taylor, Director of Community Experience at CORI. “We are excited to welcome Northwest Montana into the Rural Innovation Network and to support the region as it continues to strengthen the relationships, strategies, and systems that help rural entrepreneurs thrive.”

Through participation in the Network, Northwest Montana will have opportunities to exchange ideas with fellow rural leaders, access national peer learning, and further elevate the region’s work to support entrepreneurs and innovation-driven growth.