For four years, one of the best marketers on earth grew almost entirely by charging more. That just stopped working.

 People are still buying, but they won’t keep paying more just because the label is familiar.

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What Would A Montana Data Center Cost? 10% of a data center’s total cost would go toward Montana jobs and goods.

The University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research estimates a $20 billion data center would support 750 jobs and generate $33 million in local property taxes. However, concerns about water use and rising utility costs have sparked opposition in several communities.

Which Montana County has a state-licensed gambling machine for every 24 residents?

Approximately 16,500 state-licensed machines operated statewide in Montana. Are we gambling away our future?

Public Rally Supports Hamilton, Montana’s Rocky Mountain Lab Scientists Laid Off Because of Federal Budget Cuts

On June 26, community members rallied to support employees affected by federal funding reductions.
Community members rallied in support of Rocky Mountain Lab scientists laid off due to federal budget cuts that have impacted the lab. In early May, 41 employees were let go or had their contracts canceled and research budgets were cut.

“Our Youth in the Age of AI” Code Girls United – Aug. 27 – Whitefish, Montana

Code Girls United (CGU) is proud to announce its upcoming event, \”Our Youth in the Age of AI\”, an interactive reception and panel discussion scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the O’Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center in Whitefish, at 5 p.m.

406 Transfusion: Injecting youth into the care continuum

This dynamic two-day event brings together key partners to strengthen the Montana healthcare talent pipeline through creative solutions and career-connected learning.

National park ranger quits, tours visitor centers to fight Trump censorship

She’s committed to fighting censorship across the National Park Service by talking about what the Donald Trump administration has omitted.

Flathead Valley Food Banks Face Rising Demand Because of SNAP Cuts

Food banks in Flathead, North Valley, and Bigfork report increased visits as SNAP recipients are kicked off the roles due to new work requirements and paperwork. Rising food and gas prices, along with funding losses, are adding to the challenges these organizations face.

California Hits 51 Percent Solar Power for Entire Month

In May, solar panels generated over half of California’s electricity, marking a major shift in energy production. This milestone was enabled by a dramatic increase in battery storage capacity that allows solar power use even after sunset.

Medicare Part D subsidy program: Why Trump is ending it and what it could mean for prescription drug costs

A Biden-era program meant to help seniors save money on prescription premiums is ending in 2027. Here’s what we know.

Judge Certifies Price-Fixing Lawsuit Against Major Meatpackers

A federal judge approved a class-action suit accusing four meatpackers of manipulating cattle and beef prices from 2015 to 2020. Montana ranchers and policymakers are watching closely as the case could impact the state’s beef market and industry consolidation.

National Parks Traveler Shuts Down After 21 Years of Coverage Due to Trump Pressures and Media Struggles

If properly appreciated, National parks, he said, “are so important in helping people reconnect with themselves, with forgetting about checking their email, checking their texts.” And that’s only the beginning of their value. With high burnout and low morale, he believes the park service is in danger of lasting. And because the agency has drastically scaled back communications, trying to report on it is very frustrating. It got so bad that Traveler reporters couldn’t even secure interviews on stories of park service successes, he said.

The DoorDash Drones are Coming

Sending deliveries by drone is hard. DoorDash’s secret sauce may be its software.

Over Half of Missoula Renters Struggle with Housing Costs

A recent survey shows 53% of Missoula renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, with rising rents and limited tenant protections worsening instability. Local advocates are pushing for stronger protections and innovative solutions to address these challenges.

Are Your Employee Social Media Stars Your Best Marketing Opportunities?

Companies are using more of their marketing budgets to utilize store staff and micro-creators into brand ambassadors—and it’s outperforming traditional mega-influencers.

“Look Ma- No Steering Wheel or Pedals” – Zoox Wins First Federal Approval for Driverless Robotaxis

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration authorized Zoox to operate up to 2,500 fully driverless robotaxis annually. This landmark approval allows Zoox to charge for rides starting in Las Vegas while meeting strict safety reporting requirements.

Sharing Shack Offers Free Camping Gear to Glacier Park Visitors

The Sharing Shack in Columbia Falls lends essential camping equipment at no cost to Glacier National Park visitors. This donation-based program aims to ease access to the wilderness while honoring local ambassador Mia Totten.

The Coming Food-Stamp Crisis

Enrollment in SNAP, America’s signature food-aid program for low- and no-income people, has sharply declined. States now face a deadline that could spell the end of the program for millions of Americans next year.

Montana Employment Law Seminar – Parsons Behle & Latimer – 9/15 – Missoula

Please join Big Sky SHRM and Parsons Behle & Latimer for the Montana Employment Law Seminar, geared toward providing contemporary legal information in employment and labor matters to business owners, human resource professionals and corporate counsel.

GFDA Quarter Index 2026Q2 Numbers to Celebrate

Our Mission

Grow diverse economic opportunities that enhance quality of life.

GFDA is a certified Community Development Financial Institution and a 501(c)3 charitable organization. High Plains Financial is a certified Community Development Corporation that offers SBA 504 loans statewide. GFDA and High Plains Financial are Equal Opportunity Employers, Lenders and Providers.

I’m the CEO of ClassPass and live in Missoula, Montana. I love CrossFit and fly-fishing meetings — here’s my routine.

I moved to Missoula about eight years ago, after we opened a ClassPass office here. My wife and I bought a home thinking it’d be a vacation home, and then we moved here full-time.

First US Case Charges American Citizen with Phone Data Wipe Using Duress Passcode While Entering the US

Samuel Tunick faces prosecution for allegedly erasing his phone at a border inspection using a duress passcode. This case raises important questions about digital privacy and legal rights at the border. With the number of border searches of electronic devices increasing every year, how can travelers keep their digital data safe?

Montana Sees Surge of Young Adults Moving to the State for Jobs

Young adults aged 18 to 24 are leading in-migration to Montana, driven by strong economic growth and expanding job opportunities in areas like Great Falls. This influx could reshape local labor markets, though challenges remain with many youth still disengaged from work or education.

Montana places near the bottom in new national ranking for childhood education – “The State With the Best Education Wins!”

WalletHub recently conducted a study on early education and ranked each state using 12 key metrics. Montana ranked 45th overall.

Federal Cuts Threaten Rural Maternal Healthcare Access and Safety

Rural mothers face higher mortality rates and hospital closures worsen care access. Federal policies raising costs and cutting Medicaid risk deepening these critical healthcare disparities. Care will be in shorter supply, travel distances will stretch farther, and high-risk situations will more likely result in tragedy.

Montana SMART Manufacturing Roadshow – 8/26 – Helena

WHO should Participate? Manufacturing Leads, Supervisors, Managers, and Leaders who want to discover potential applications of advanced technologies and data integration across all aspects of manufacturing operations.

2026 MEDA Fall Conference – Sept. 22-24 – Sidney, Montana

Join us in Sidney, Montana, for two days of networking, collaboration, professional development, and engaging discussions focused on strengthening economic development across Montana. Connect with colleagues, community leaders, and industry partners while exploring innovative ideas, sharing best practices, and building valuable relationships.

MEDA is currently accepting speaker proposals for the Fall 2026 Conference Sept. 22-24, Sidney, Montana!

We’re looking for speakers who can share real-world experiences, practical strategies, and ideas that can help strengthen community and economic development across Montana.

Montana and Wyoming SBIR Discovery Webinar – Cost Proposals & Government Accounting – 8/4 – Online

Join us next Tuesday August 4, 2026 to gain confidence in tackling your SBIR/STTR Cost Proposal! Jim Greenwood will lead an all-day workshop hosted by Montana Technology Innovation Partnership powered by MSU TechLink Center and…

What’s coming out of Silicon Valley that’s making doctors nervous? Is more data about your body always good?

Doctors are being very wary that data can sometimes cause more harm than good, and folks on the tech side saying basically, how can more data ever be bad?

When the AI Bubble Bursts What Industry Will Be San Francisco’s Next Great Economic Engine?

The ingredients are already here. The talent. The institutions. The innovation. The leadership. Now is the time to turn those strengths into San Francisco’s next great economic engine.

Be very careful what you say and do at the next company retreat.

A company retreat built around openness just cost one Netflix executive his job.

Bogotá Transforms Housing and Transit for 34,000 Families By Putting Housing, Transit and Public Space First

In addition to a Department of Transportation or a Department of Housing, the Colombian capital of eight million people has a Sector Habitát, or Habitat Department, that combines urban renewal, transit-oriented development, civic works, and affordable housing into community-first development that centers public transit. Nearly 4,000 housing subsidies are linked to transit stations, supporting a comprehensive urban development strategy.

The U.S. Government is “Selling the Seed Corn” of research and development of our future.

Last year, the Secretary of Health and Human Services cancelled half a billion dollars of mRNA research and called it savings. To understand what he actually cancelled, you need to hear about a physicist who never once thought about medicine.

Fight Forest Fires with Heat Pumps

Switch out your gas furnace and you save 4 to 8 tons of heat-trapping, wildfire-causing CO2 a year. Switch out your water heater and you save another one to two. Electrify your transportation and you are keeping another 5+ tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere. Put solar panels on your house or buy community solar and you’re ensuring that all of your electric appliances are as clean as possible.

UC Berkeley Studies Psilocybin’s Impact on Older Adults’ Brain Health

Previous work has shown that psychedelics can reduce negative mental states like depression, anxiety, stress and rumination, and that these negative mental states may be linked with accelerated aging. This research could reshape approaches to cognitive health in aging populations.

Montana Cuts Primary Residence Taxes but Raises Second Home Rates. She Inherited the Family Cabin. Montana Now Taxes It Like a Second Home

Starting in 2026, Montana will lower property taxes on primary homes by 18% while increasing taxes on second homes by 68%. This change impacts heirs and seasonal residents who do not meet occupancy or rental requirements for exemptions.

Montana takes next step on experimental therapies

After more than a year of anticipation, Montana’s most closely watched longevity law has moved from legislation to implementation.

Montana Secures $781,000 to Increase International Sales for Local Small Businesses- Attend the webinar on August 12 to learn more

These federal grants will help small exporters in Montana increase international sales by reimbursing marketing activities.

Apply for Leadership Missoula!

Missoula is a dynamic and energetic community. Such vitality and growth present many opportunities and
challenges for the citizens of Missoula. Keeping our community vibrant and healthy requires insightful leaders
who have the ability to communicate and work effectively with others. LEADERSHIP MISSOULA is
designed to facilitate the development and growth of tomorrow’s leaders, provide opportunities to interact with
different community members while exploring issues relevant to our community.
Leadership Missoula is a program of the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce

A Stanford Business School Professor Just Gave the Best Definition of Leadership I’ve Ever Heard

It has nothing to do with strategy, charisma, or vision. It’s about something much simpler.