“The Mountains and Plains Innovation Alliance, by coordinating state and university investments in research, training, and business development, aims to attract these once-in-a-generation federal investments to the region.”

Thirty years ago, Bozeman, Montana hosted five small optics and photonics technology companies. Since then, wise investments by Montana State University and the local community have made Bozeman one of the largest hubs for optics and photonics work nationally, with more than 40 companies and a similar number of faculty and research staff at the University working to develop and deploy the latest in laser, light, and sensor technologies.

The optics and photonics cluster in Bozeman, unfortunately, is a rare example of rural mountain west and plains communities developing the technologies that will, increasingly, shape the economy of the next fifty years.

The Mountains and Plains University Innovation Alliance, which includes universities in Idaho, Wyoming and the Dakotas, will support coordination and collaboration to attract and expand industries aligned with the member institutions’ strengths in research and education, according to Alison Harmon, MSU’s vice president for research and economic development.