Mentors, Networks Help Montana Businesses Gauge when to take the Next Step

When Ken and Lynnette Lutz of Hamilton needed to re-evaluate the future of their business, Sapphire Studios, they joined a local business mentor and networking group. After meeting once a month over beers with other small business owners, the couple felt much more comfortable in facing the challenge of expanding their operation. See http://www.matr.net/article-12456.html for the full story.

By Colin McDonald for The Missoulian

Similar resources are available for businesses all across western Montana and usually can be contacted via area chambers of commerce.

Here’s a short list of resources to get you started:

The Hamilton Business Mentor and Networking Group with board: http://www.bitterroot.net/bng

Russ Fletcher and the Montana Associated Technology Roundtables: http://www.matr.net 542-9395 [email protected]

The Ravalli County Economic Development Authority: http://www.rceda.org 375-9416 Betty Davis

The Montana Cooperative Development Center: http://www.mcdc.coop

The Montana Jobs Network http://www.montana-jobs.net and Come Home Montana http://www.comehomemontana.org Julie Foster [email protected] 777-7185

The Montana Community Development Corp. http://www.mtcdc.org