“The grants have always been a huge component of our growth in bringing jobs to Missoula and Montana,” said Carey Davis, director of operations for the local office. “We’ve been lucky to hire many talented individuals. Most of them are from all corners of Montana, or want to move back to Montana.”

“One of the flagship reasons was the strength of the Missoula office, the relationship we have with the community, with UM, and with the state grants program,” Stergios said. “We’ve become one of the fastest growing locations for Cognizant. They’ve been putting in a tremendous amount of investment.”

The Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund grants promote job growth and training. They’re awarded by the state and administered locally by the Missoula Economic Partnership and Missoula County.

The grants are awarded to firms that export a product and pay a living wage at or above $14.45 an hour, according to Thursday’s grant application.

By Martin Kidston