Private sector now leading Missoula’s economic growth initiative – "Best Place Project"

Missoula Mayor John Engen’s initiative to bring more businesses to town and create high-wage jobs has taken a significant step forward.

As of last week, Engen’s Best Place Project http://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/index.aspx?nid=1004 is no longer being directed by city government – it’s now in the hands of the private sector.

Three men, all top executive officers of major Missoula businesses, have agreed to guide and develop the initiative to fruition as chairpersons of the Best Place Project’s 25-person board of directors.

At the helm of the city’s new economic development effort: Jeff Fee, president of St. Patrick Hospital; Scott Burke, president of First Security Bank; and Dirk Visser, CEO of Allegiance Benefit Plan Management, a Missoula-based third-party administrator for health care benefit plans in Montana and several other states.

By BETSY COHEN of the Missoulian

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_ead8f36e-b313-11df-9337-001cc4c002e0.html