Dale Detrick’s departure leaves a void at the MMEC in Billings, Montana

Business owners and economic development specialists expressed shock and sadness after learning that Dale Detrick is no longer working for the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center. http://www.mtmanufacturingcenter.com/

Detrick worked from the office of Big Sky Economic Development, Yellowstone County’s economic development agency, in Billings. During more than 11 years with the MMEC, Detrick logged thousands of miles, providing guidance to a wide range of Montana manufacturing firms. He’s well-respected within Montana manufacturing and economic development circles.

Steve Holland, Detrick’s boss and director at the MMEC at Montana State University, said he was forced to cut the agency’s field offices from five to four because state and federal funding could no longer keep up with the cost of running the program. In the end, Detrick’s position was the one identified for elimination, a process that Holland described as "one long nightmare."

By Tom Howard

Full Story: http://billingsgazette.com/business/columns/from-the-editor/from-the-editor-detrick-s-departure-leaves-a-void-at/article_a7e5a12f-5d05-56c6-94ba-6adb68fc8c50.html#ixzz2MJOHzviR