Decentralized Economic Development Nonprofit Network Earns $116 Million in 2024

A network of regional nonprofits has nearly doubled its footprint by independently managing rural infrastructure and ecological projects without direct federal funding. Since the 2011 phase-out of federal administrative funding, the top 50 councils have generated 93% of the network’s $116 million revenue by managing rural infrastructure, public health, and ecological projects. This model offers a new path for sustaining critical public services in rural areas like Montana.

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What should I ask my candidate? Register for our September 28 Webinar!

When a candidate comes to your door asking for your vote, what will you ask them? Join us to get ideas on what you can ask candidates about healthcare, school funding, taxes, and more.

Missoula Talent Available – Successful technical leader with over twenty years of experience in innovative research, development, design, manufacturing, testing, and management

Technical leader and PhD mechanical engineer with 20+ years of product development, process development and optimization, designing products, executing verification and validation (V&V) programs, and independently assessing technology and manufacturing readiness across highly regulated, multi-domain environments — medical devices, in-line pipeline inspection, X-ray imaging systems, diagnostic instrumentation, and biomass processing.

Montana’s ‘Check This Out’ – Text your guests. Keep your seats full.

New restaurants are closing at record rates, and waiting for walk-ins is waiting to fail. We make filling seats quick, easy, and profitable. Check This Out lets you send texts to your guests in seconds, offer smart incentives, and grow your guest list—without constantly managing it.

Butte, Montana will be special focus of statewide historic preservation economic study

“Butte is kind of a perfect test case for all that this study will examine,” Brown said, adding many communities around Montana may have one of those characteristics, but few have all of them.

Initiative banning corporate money in elections gets a spotlight in Billings

Montana Chamber of Commerce backs out of debate, gets roasted.

$45,000 grant helps Eastern Plains Economic Development begin work on next five-year economic development strategy

According to Terra Burman, executive director for EPEDC, the funding will aid the organization’s effort to create its 2027-32 comprehensive economic development strategy document — or CEDS — by allowing it to hire a consulting firm to handle the compiling of data. Although Prairie County is named as the recipient of the $45,000, Dawson, Wibaux, Carter and Fallon counties will also benefit from the award.

$5M STEM Grant to Boost Graduate Student Education at University of Montana

UM graduate programs are poised to address this need for workforce growth by helping low-income students – who make up a quarter of Montana’s university population – succeed in their pursuit of advanced degrees by providing financial support, as well as structured mentoring to address barriers faced by students in rural areas.

Montana’s Bridger Photonics – Industry-Leading Emissions Data You Can Act On

Bridger delivers the most accurate, audit-ready data in the industry—trusted by top energy producers worldwide.

Film explores cross-border impacts of Canadian mine waste on Indigenous communities

Pollution from mining activity in British Columbia is ending up downstream in Montana and Idaho, threatening the health of these shared waterways. A new film by the Idaho Conservation League highlights Indigenous communities impacted by it and solutions in the works. MTPR’s Caroline Weiss caught up with the director, Jennifer Ekstrom.

Microsoft Expands Nature-Inspired Designs to Over 20 Datacenters

Microsoft is scaling its biomimicry approach to datacenter design across the U.S. and Germany, integrating ecological research and community input to create sustainable habitats. This shift redefines how technology infrastructure can coexist with and support the environment.

Montana Career Opportunities – Senior Strategic Finance Analyst, Senior Legal Counsel, Senior PR Manager and More… – onXmaps

At onX, we believe unique perspectives make us stronger. Different experiences, ideas, and ways of thinking help us build better products and move our mission forward. We’re working to awaken the adventurer in everyone, and…

Montana Career Opportunity – Vice President, Legal – Submittable

At Submittable, we are transforming how organizations create social impact. Our platform empowers thousands of mission-driven organizations, from nonprofits to government entities, to make a difference in their communities and beyond. In 2024, our innovative…

Stellantis Unveils Driverless Electric Delivery Vehicle Concept

The idea is aimed at the last mile, but Stellantis is also looking at places where the autonomous vehicle can operate in a more controlled environment. Factories, hospitals and airports are among the possible applications.

Farm Electrification Needs Tailored Energy Solutions Beyond Tractors

Effective farm electrification depends on addressing diverse equipment and operational demands rather than just replacing diesel tractors. Montana’s agricultural sector could benefit from a staged, needs-based approach aligned with local infrastructure and energy use.

Over 150 Tribal Leaders Unite at the Flathead Reservation to Tackle Cross-Border Mining Pollution

Over 150 Indigenous and government representatives gathered to address mining contamination threatening waterways along the U.S.-Canada border. The conference highlighted the urgent need for accountability and restoration efforts to protect shared river ecosystems.

NIH Funding Lawsuit Halts Over 4,000 Research Projects Nationwide

“This isn’t just illegal, it hurts every person served by this research and unravels years of work by the scientific community,” Shalini Goel Agarwal, special counsel at Protect Democracy, said. A class action lawsuit claims NIH blocked grants opposing certain political views, canceling thousands of projects. Montana researchers may face similar challenges if such screening practices spread.

Cost of liquor licenses in Missoula may be affecting local businesses

Going out to eat and enjoying a cold beer or cocktail is a classic tradition. However, serving and selling that beverage in Missoula takes more work than consumers realize.

J. Vader Consulting – Helping nonprofits, small businesses, and startups untangle operational challenges and build practical systems

You started this for a reason. Somewhere along the line, the day-to-day got in the way.

Montana State to present research at Red Lodge community event Oct. 6

“This is an inaugural event to bring research happening on campus and in our research facilities around the state to communities throughout Montana,” Veselik said. “We look forward to engaging with cities, towns and communities around the state to have conversations about MSU research and how we are impacting the lives of Montanans.” 

Cryogenics boot camp at Montana State’s QCORE provides students with intensive training

The camp was developed in response to a growing need for professionals experienced in operating, maintaining and troubleshooting the ultra-low temperature, low-noise environments in which quantum technologies operate.

Nearly 75% of Montana voters oppose new AI data centers due to electricity and local concerns.

A recent poll shows nearly 75% of Montana voters oppose new AI data centers due to fears of rising electricity costs and environmental impacts. This opposition is influencing legislative efforts and could shape the future of AI infrastructure in the state.

Carroll College Inaugurates Jennifer Glowienka as 20th President

Carroll College formally inaugurated Dr. Jennifer Glowienka as the school’s 20th president, marking a historic milestone as she becomes the first woman fully appointed president in the college’s history.

Montana State to host expansive career fair in Bozeman on Sept. 30 – Career Events from Sept. 15 to Oct. 1

Montana State University is hosting an expansive university career fair on campus this fall, upholding an annual tradition that showcases both student talent and the many employers from industries across the state seeking to employ Bobcats.  

The Snowbird Fund – Addressing the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women in Montana

The Snowbird Fund was established at the Montana Community Foundation by Montana businesswoman Whitney Williams. Whitney recently opened the fund, the first of its kind in Montana, after hearing from, among others, a Crow tribal member, Grace Bulltail, whose 18-year-old niece, Kaysera Stops Pretty Places, was found murdered in Big Horn County in August 2019.

Trillium Cooperative – A Native-led, women owned cooperative helping communities and organizations

Trillium Cooperative is built on the foundation that stronger communities are created when people come together. As a worker-owned team, each of us brings unique experience and equal voice to our work, ensuring collaboration, equity, and accountability at every step.

Your coffee adventure(s) start here. Treeline Coffee

Enjoy a damn fine cup of coffee, gear up with our top of the line brewing equipment, or style your next quest with our custom swag.

Montana State University will host a free, public lecture focused on school funding in rural states on Monday, Sept. 28, on the MSU campus.

The free event is open to the public and will begin at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28. An online viewing option will be available.

City reaffirms contract with Missoula Economic Partnership

“MEP has been a crucial partner for the city as we have created a much more diverse economic base in our city compared to decades ago, when it was not diverse and recessions could hit the city very hard,” said council member Gwen Jones.

GFDA Somewhat Quarterly Investor Letter

With Labor Day behind us, we’re quick-marching forward. Our window of opportunity is wide open. We are determined to make the most of it and keep opening new windows of opportunity for the Great Falls region.

This startup just raised $32 million to build solar farms using robots—and much less land

Planted’s approach doubles how much solar power is produced per acre.

Data Centers in Montana:  The Pros and Cons – 10/27 – Bozeman

Join us for an informative evening presentation by regional experts and moderated by MSU Prof. Eric Raile highlighting the various elements involved in building and maintaining data centers here in Montana. Can data centers be good neighbors?

Join us for Prospera’s Women’s Business Showcase in Downtown Bozeman on September 30th from 4:00-7:00 PM!

Join us to hear from experienced women entrepreneurs and to learn how to grow the business skills you didn’t know you need!

Montana Heritage Center Unveils $107M Renovation with Indigenous Focus – Its Smallest Room Says a Lot About the Thought That Went Into Designing the Space

The Helena museum expanded by 70,000 square feet and integrated Indigenous perspectives throughout its exhibits. A Tribal Stakeholders Group helped select artifacts and shape interpretive text, embedding Native values into the architecture and displays.

Glacier Processing Co-op Revitalizes Montana’s Only USDA Meat Plant

The cooperative’s $200,000 upgrade and planned expansion will boost local processing capacity and support 40 Montana farms. This effort addresses long-standing bottlenecks and strengthens regional meat supply chains.

Montana Tech has named its first chief artificial intelligence officer

Professor Chad Okrusch will lead Montana Tech’s approach to artificial intelligence, from classroom guidance to preparing students for careers increasingly shaped by AI. “AI is a unique disruption to both the social and technological system,” Okrusch said. “It’s changing everything we do in higher education.”

Tell Us Something is in 9 days! We’re so excite to be sharing these stories “Pursuit of Happiness.”with you! 9/23 –

From hilarious misadventures to heartfelt breakthroughs, come experience the transformative power of human connection and authentic community.  

Did you know there were 3 Headwaters organizations focusing on economic development in Montana?

We really must love the name Headwaters.

UMaine-led $20 million EDA Tech Hub investment fuels Maine’s forest economy

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced today that Maine’s Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub has been awarded $20 million to accelerate commercialization of advanced forest bioproducts and strengthen Maine’s forest economy.

Montana middle school educators invited to apply (due Friday, Oct. 2) for a free quantum curriculum and training program from Montana State

Through QuantumClub, educators from five Montana organizations will receive free virtual training on an engaging science, technology, engineering and mathematics – or STEM – curriculum that aims to introduce quantum science and technology concepts and careers in an accessible way. The program features collaborative learning, discussions, and hands-on art and science projects.

Missoula’s Sunday Streets creates people-powered Higgins Ave – 9/20 – Bring your bike

Missoula is proud to be part of this rich tradition of reframing one of our city’s largest public spaces – our streets!  Join us for this year’s event which returns to downtown along Higgins Ave. and Beartracks Bridge, bringing the street to life on Sunday, September 20th from 12 to 4 p.m.