Governor Bullock Launches Bottom-up Economic Development Initiative – The Main Street Montana Project- Schedule of Roundtables Set

As Montana develops its economic development plan, Governor Bullock will incorporate the recommendations and action steps into his economic policy agenda to ensure that Montana continues to have a business‐friendly climate that fosters innovation, opportunity and investment in quality jobs and thriving business on Montana’s Main Streets.

Montanans have proven they are national leaders in business ingenuity and hard work. Because of the
actions of hard‐working Montanans, the state is ranked as the best state for entrepreneurship and
business start‐ups.

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The scheduled roundtables are:

* Billings, May 28: 2 p.m. at the Broadway Downtown Center, 2804 Third Ave. N.

* Missoula, June 4: 2 p.m. at the University of Montana University Center, Third Floor Meeting Room.

* Great Falls, June 12: 2 p.m. at the Great Falls Civic Center, Missouri Room.

* Miles City, June 19: 2 p.m. at Miles Community College, Room 106-107.

* Bozeman, June 25: 2 p.m. at the Montana State University Strand Union Building, Ballroom A.

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Montana is also one of two states that maintained a budget surplus through the
recession, and maintained an unemployment rate two percentage points below the national average.
Governor Steve Bullock recognizes the experiences and strengths that the men and women of Montana
bring to the table, which is why he is launching an initiative to coordinate and capitalize on the business
know‐how of Montanans who drive this state’s Main Street prosperity.

The Main Street Montana Project, led by some of Montana’s most well respected business leaders,
will seek input from all corners of the state to build a bottom‐up economic strategic plan to grow and
sustain Montana’s economic vitality.
Written by Montanans for Montana, this plan will build on the strengths that have made Montana
great, develop solutions to hurdles that have challenged business growth, and identify sector‐specific
and locally relevant action steps to attract and retain new businesses in local Montana communities.

This project is co‐chaired by Larry Simkins, CEO of the Washington Corporation, and Bill Johnstone, CEO
of D.A. Davidson & Co. These forward‐thinking business leaders are supported by Montana Chief
Business Officer John Rogers, Commissioner of Labor Pam Bucy and Director of Commerce Meg O’Leary.

Governor Bullock knows that the best ideas for Main Street Montana come from Main Streets all over
Montana. This is why the Main Street Montana Project will be going directly to local business leaders
and innovators to hear first‐hand their ideas to expand economic opportunities. The first set of these
Business Roundtables will be launched on May 28th in Billings, with Roundtables continuing throughout
the state in June.

The roundtable discussions will kick off an in‐depth comprehensive and collaborative approach to
economic development. Governor Bullock envisions a bottom‐up process where local communities
drive their own economic development and where their local efforts are supported by seamless
communication and coordination from state, local and federal support agencies.

As Montana develops its economic development plan, Governor Bullock will incorporate the
recommendations and action steps into his economic policy agenda to ensure that Montana continues
to have a business‐friendly climate that fosters innovation, opportunity and investment in quality jobs
and thriving business on Montana’s Main Streets.

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Gov. Bullock, CEOs unveil economic plan for Montana

Gov. Steve Bullock and two of Montana’s top business CEOs on Monday unveiled their road map for a state economic plan they said won’t just “sit on the shelves.”

“I really think something will come of this,” said Bill Johnstone, chairman and CEO of D.A. Davidson & Co., a financial services firm based in Great Falls. “It’s pragmatic, it’s nonpartisan. It’s driven by business-people, by business managers from throughout the state.”

Johnston and Larry Simkins, president and CEO of the Missoula-based Washington Companies, joined Bullock at a Capitol news conference to announce the plan, dubbed the Main Street Montana Project.

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