The IT Open- Technology and Business Opportunities showcase in Eastern MT

The IT Open, an event held in Williston, ND to showcase the
technology and business opportunities available in eastern Montana
and western North Dakota, concluded July 17. It was a huge success,
and as a planner I want to personally thank Business Montana for
their contribution.

A huge display was up throughout the three-day event offering ink
pens, Montana pins, and chocolates in the shape of the state. We had
Jason Hanson and Quinn Ness from the Governor’s Economic Opportunity
Office as panelists during one of the session’s. They did an
excellent job portraying what Montana has to offer to an expanding
business. Our Montana Senator’s, along with the Senator’s from North Dakota, also joined us via video conference one
morning.

A majority of the thanks needs to go to Tod Kasten (Eastern Region Economic Development Director)and Mike Carlson (Eastern
Plains RC&D)for spearheading the marketing effort on the golf course during the tournament held in conjuction with the
event. With Business Montana and local organizations as a sponsor of a hole, they organized a showcase of the best
Montana has to offer to the guests attending from Colorado, Texas, California, North Dakota, and Montana. With the help of
Ray Trumpower (EPRCD), Linda Twitchell and Jay Boysun (Great Northern Development), and Dave Billihus from Nemont, they
served delicious prime rib sandwiches featuring Montana beef, sauces bottled in Montana, Wheat Montana bread, and
tomatoes grown in the state. They also served Montana bottled spring
water. The golfers could sign up for a drawing featuring Made in Montana items. The drawing was held during the awards
ceremony and featured coffees, pasta, huckleberry syrup and other
Made in Montana products.

Spread the word about the economic development efforts taking place
throughout our region, and thank those people responsible.

Shelly Weight
Rural Technology Development
Miles Community College

Shelly Weight
Miles Community College
Center for Technology and Learning
2715 Dickinson
Miles City, Montana 59301
(406) 234-3547
[email protected]