Senator Baucus Launches Montana Jobs Economic Engine Initiative

Senator Highlights Montana Business Creating Jobs in an Area of High Unemployment

Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus http://baucus.senate.gov/ launched his "Montana Jobs Economic Engine" initiative today aimed at highlighting the work of companies driving the state’s economy forward.

Today, Baucus recognized Columbia Falls-based Nomad Global Communication Solutions http://www.nomadgcs.com specialty manufacturing company is his inaugural Montana Economic Engine for providing jobs in one of the highest unemployment regions in the state.

"Nomad is providing a world class product while providing jobs in an area of the state that’s been dealt a harsh blow as a result of the recession. My number one priority is Montana jobs and doing everything I can to make sure businesses have the right environment to succeed and grow," Baucus said. "I’m proud to highlight Nomad Global Communication Solutions and applaud them for being an economic engine in Flathead County."

"It’s heartening to know Senator Baucus recognizes the risks we’re taking and the hard work we’re doing to create nationally competitive jobs in the community in which I grew up and love. Nomad is strategically moving forward, growing our company and doing everything we can to put Montanans to work in the Flathead, while providing industry leading, innovative communication solutions for the nation’s emergency responders, mobile telemedicine providers and remote business applications," said Will Schmautz, President, CEO and- owner of Nomad Global Communication Solutions.

In the last year and a half, Nomad Global Communication Solutions has increased its workforce by over 300 percent, currently employing nearly 80 skilled manufacturing technicians, Integrated Communication Technology experts, product design engineers and professional support staff.

Baucus’ Montana Jobs Economic Engine initiative is designed to elevate the profile of Montana businesses that are finding innovative ways to grow and move forward during challenging economic times.

The effort builds upon Baucus’ ongoing legislative work to support Montana’s businesses along with his Montana Economic Development Summits that have resulted in key connections for Montana businesses such as attracting investors and new business partnerships that have directly led to new Montana jobs.

One year ago this month, Baucus’ Small Business Jobs Act became law which included key provisions to help businesses create jobs including:

* $12 billion in tax cuts;

* 100 percent exclusion from capital gains taxes on investments in small businesses;

* A $10,000 tax deduction for start-up expenditures – doubling current levels;

* Increased Section 179 expensing, permitting up to $500,000 in capital investments that business can expense;

* New tools to help small businesses export which will leverage more than $1 billion in exports;

* Increased Small Business Administration (SBA) loan limits and improved access and lower costs for small business to access SBA loans;

* A targeted $30 billion Small Business Lending Fund to provide small community banks with capital to increase small business lending; and

* $1.5 billion in grants to support $15 billion in new small business lending through already successful state programs.

A complete summary and more information on the Small Business Jobs Act is available on the Finance Committee website HERE http://finance.senate.gov/legislation/details/?id=da799068-5056-a032-5229-92cebbd2b7a0 .

Contact: Kate Downen 406-224-5056/Kathy Weber 406-329-3123/Jenny Donohue 202-224-2651