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March 2003 Newsletter- Economic Development Resource Center- Montana Tech of the University of Montana

March 28, 2003 /

MATR Sponsor (view all)

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What Have We Been Up To?

The past two months have been busy and successful for the Economic Development Resource Center. We have a new student assistant, we’ve attended seminars and presentations around the state, and have been busy planning our first seminar.

Evan Stockton has joined the Center as our Student Assistant. Evan will be here to assist the center and can provide help when needed. Welcome Aboard Evan!

We recently completed a display for the Jefferson Local Development Corporation for their use at the Tourism Seminar in Helena March 24th and 25th. We provided them with a PowerPoint presentation containing information about recreational and tourism related activities in Jefferson County. This was a very successful project. If you ‘d like to view the PowerPoint presentation, please visit our website.

We have teamed with NorthWestern Energy, Headwaters RC&D, and the Butte Small Business Development Center to host a FISH! Philosophy in the Workplace seminar for area businesses. The seminar will be held in the Copper Lounge in the Student Union Building on April 8, 2003. Please see page 3 of the newsletter for more information.

We are in the process of developing a partnership with Mainstreet Butte and the Butte Local Development Corporation to assist with the data collection and input for the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity’s "Searchable Properties Database." The database will enable local economic developers to promote their available commercial properties to expanding and relocating businesses. Using only a connection to the internet, a local economic developer in Montana will be able to create economic opportunity by advertising local commercial properties to businesses around the nation and world.

We have been asked to participate in the Blueprint For Change Economic Development subcommittee and have attended our first meeting. Blueprint for Change is an effort being spearheaded by the Montana Standard with sponsorship of Town Pump, MSE, St. James Healthcare, and BP Arco.

We are in the process of forming the EDRC Advisory Board. Invitations will be sent to local business leaders, economic developers, and Tech representatives asking for their participation in the Board. The Advisory Board will provide feedback on what the center is doing, recommend changes in our strategies, and tell us what we can do differently to be more successful. If you are interested in serving on the Advisory Board, please let us know.

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Tech Spotlight: CAREER SERVICES

Montana Tech Career Services staff provides a variety of services to those companies interested in hiring either full-time employees or summer (or longer term) interns. We publicize all announcements through e-mailings to students, postings on campus bulletin boards, listings in the campus newspaper, and notifying appropriate faculty members. We will, at your request, collect resumes and application materials from interested students and send you a complete student package for review. On-campus recruiting visits, and telephone and video interviews can be arranged. Our process for scheduling on-campus interviews is simple and flexible to meet your recruiting needs. Call Montana Tech Career Services to find out how easy it is to connect with Montana Tech students and graduates!

4th Annual Montana Tech Career Fair – September 11, 2003

Another way to connect with Montana Tech students

and promote your company!

or call for a brochure at (406) 496-4140.

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Focus on: Jefferson Local Development Corporation

The JLDC is a private, non-profit corporation formed as the lead countywide entity in economic development in Jefferson County. It is governed by a board of nine elected Directors and made up of an unlimited number of interested Jefferson County businesses and residents. The JLDC mission is to improve Jefferson County’s employment opportunities, incomes, and well being by identifying local economic needs and priorities and supporting, strengthening, and coordinating economic development activities throughout the county. The primary focus shall be to leverage available business and government resources to provide information, assist with business finance solutions, and develop programs to encourage the growth of business in the county.

Functions and Purpose

* Existing Business Retention & Expansion

* Business advocacy

* Business Finance assistance

* Business Technical assistance

* Entrepreneur Training

* Business Recruitment

* Business Infrastructure Improvement

* Real Estate Redevelopment

* Retail Trade enhancement

* Community Enhancement

* Business Relocation Assistance

JLDC is online at: http://www.co.jefferson.mt.us/business/devcorp.shtml

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FISH! Philosophy in the Workplace Seminar

Headwaters RC&D, the Small Business Development Center, North Western Energy, and the Economic Development Resource Center of Montana Tech will host a ‘FISH! Philosophy In The Workplace’ Seminar on Tuesday, April 8, 2003 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Copper Lounge on the campus of Montana Tech. Cost is $10.00 per person and includes a Play!book and continental breakfast. Pre-registration is required.

This program started in Seattle by WORLD FAMOUS PIKE PLACE FISH MARKET. It is a business model based on five simple principles – Choosing Your Attitude, Creating a Condition for Real Communication, Building a Team, Delivering Service That Makes a Difference, and Retaining Employees. FISH! is a tool designed to help you lead people toward creating that environment using the FISH! Philosophy: "Catch the Energy, Release the Potential!"

This seminar is intended for business owners, managers, supervisors, and human resources managers to use in the operation of their business to improve employee moral and enthusiasm for their job, improve customer service, and increase profits.

The video FISH! is about a fish market where the energy is so infectious, business people spend their lunch hour just watching the action and absorbing the energy. The World Famous Pike Place Fish Market has not always been such a place. Years ago, the dreariness of long hours and cold lockers was reflected in the workers’ attitudes. Yet, by changing the attitude they bring to their work, the fishmongers at Pike Place have created a totally different environment and a new philosophy of work. We call this the FISH! Philosophy.

FISH! is a tool designed to help you lead people toward creating that environment using the FISH! Philosophy: "Catch the Energy, Release the Potential!"

For more information, please call Kim Robinson (496-4480), John Donovan (782-7333), Rick Edwards (497-3621) or Julie Becker (497-4103).

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This U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Grant SBAHQ-02-I-0004 is funded by the SBA. SBA’s funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services. All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

Kim Robinson

Deputy Director

Economic Development Resource Center

ELC 332

1300 West Park Street

Butte, MT 59701

Phone:

496-4480

Fax:

496-4485

E-mail:

[email protected]