Billings last (NOT The LAST ONE!! Butte-Missoula-Whitefish still coming) stop for governor’s economic development road show

Gov. Judy Martz’s economic "listening sessions" have provided good discussion on what’s needed to fill
in the specifics of her economic development plan, said David Gibson.

(There will still be the following sessions- See http://www.MATR.net for info.- Russ)

Office Of Economic Development Road Tour- Butte 3/11 9:00AM

Office Of Economic Development Road Tour- Missoula 3/15 8:00AM

Office Of Economic Development Road Tour- Whitefish 3/15 4:00PM

By JIM GRANSBERY
Of The Gazette Staff

Gibson, the head of the new Office of Economic Opportunity, and Martz will be in Billings Thursday for the
final session with the public before putting together a game plan for state economic development. It will include
a legislative package for the next session of the Montana Legislature.

The response has been "all local," Gibson said, but applies across the state.
He said good ideas specifically have arisen in two areas – workforce development and local business
recruiting capacities. Ascertaining the needs of workforce training has focused on local universities, colleges
and technology schools. Gibson defined capacities as the ability of city and county officials to work together in
recruiting businesses and the availability of local infrastructure.

He used Malta as an example.
"They have a million dollars available for funding a business park and recruiting," he said. "They have fiber
(optic cable) in the ground and a 10-acre site." A specific concern in Malta is changing Highway 2 across the
Hi-Line to a four-lane, he said.
He said a "great discussion" of the technology business took place in Bozeman. Key to local needs there
included changes in the banking laws, capital access and technology transfer.
Included in Thursday’s schedule is a 20-minute presentation on Montana’s tax structure by Kurt Alme,
director of the Department of Revenue. Gibson said one of the breakout groups will include a discussion on
taxes. The marginal rate of 11 percent on the state’s income tax and capital gains taxes have been topics of
previous discussions, he said.
Competitive transportation is an issue more attuned to the eastern portion of the state, Gibson said, and it
is not just rail rates.

"We are hearing about that a ton, but air transportation is also a problem," he said
Thursday’s hearing is the last in a series of 11, Gibson said. The listening session also provides an
opportunity for the public to ask questions.
A legislative package for 2003 is "a sure thing," he said, "but we will not get everything through the
Legislature in one fell swoop. There will 10 to 20 items.
"We will have to make the case why we need them, not all will need money and most should not be
controversial," he said.

The Billings listening session is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at the Big Sky Economic Development
Authority offices in the Granite Tower building at 222 North 32nd Street. Those planning to attend should
register by calling Kathleen Moran at the Big Sky EDA at 256-6871. Space is limited
Following opening remarks by Martz and Gibson, attendees will break into small issue groups to discuss
specific ideas for inclusion in the completed plan. The event closes at noon.

http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2002/03/06/build/local/80-martz.inc