Flathead Valley Community College opened the doors to the Wachholz Innovation adn Entrepreneurship Center on Thursday, aiming to cultivate solutions and foster business innovation.
The center’s director, Eric Harry, who has a background in founding companies and leading strategic operations, wants to demystify the term “entrepreneur.”
“Are you building something or solving problems?” harry asked during a fireside chat following the grand opening. “Then this place is for you. Our goal is to help people build solutions to problems.”
The center will serve as a hub for both new and seasoned entrepreneurs, providing knowledge, resources, connections, and support to launch or expand business endeavors, according to college officials.
Local businessman Paul wachholz donated $4 million in 2023 to launch the center on the Kalispell campus. He also funded the nearby Wachholz College Center, which features a performing arts center, gymnasium, music practice rooms, an art gallery, an outdoor amphitheater, and a fitness center.
Before cutting the ribbon alongside FVCC President Jane Karas, Wachholz reflected on his own business ambitions, starting wiht a newspaper route and selling laundry soap. He later started a lawn mowing business, and a client, a professor at Northeastern Junior college, encouraged him to pursue higher education.
Wachholz moved to Kalispell in 1967 and retired from banking before founding a real estate firm. He also started Fun Beverage, which he owned for 44 years.
Looking out over the center’s 7,000-square-foot conference room, Wachholz said many people have great ideas, but executing them is the challenge the center will address.
“We don’t know what terrific businesses might come out of hear, but I guarantee you that a lot of small businesses will.”