What’s Happening at Prospera November 2021? …. We’re Moving!

Prospera Moving to New Business Development Center

Prospera Business Network will be moving into new offices on 865 Technology Blvd. in December. Located next to College Avenue and the emerging MSU Innovation Campus, the new location will offer more private meeting space for clients and a new training center for business development programs and events.

“This move will help us expand our business development services for entrepreneurs and business owners who are starting or growing their business. We are also adding a new business center for professional trainings and events so we can provide more in-person and remote learning opportunities for Montana business owners.”

Paul Reichert, Executive Director

Prospera Business Network

Build out is underway and the move and new space should be fully operational starting in January 2022.

Three Forks to Get New Eye Clinic

With the help of a Prospera business loan, Gallatin Valley Vision (GVV) will be opening a new eye care clinic in Three Forks, MT. Dr. Jessica Lemon, Optometrist, and owner of GVV started planning for her business expansion during the middle of the Covid pandemic. She noticed that many of her clients came to her from rural areas, so with the help of Prospera’s revolving loan funds was able to purchase a building in downtown Three Forks and is opening a new clinic that can serve a growing community. Coming soon.

A company called “Industry” is entering the Montana market with a new location at the MSU Innovation Campus. The company has locations in Salt Lake City, Denver, and Detroit which have been successful locations serving a mixture of small and mid-size companies under one roof.

The Bozeman location will feature a similar approach with multiple office arrangements for companies and a combination of shared spaces for gathering and collaboration. Industry selected the MSU Innovation Campus because it will focus on assembling a diverse mix of tech-businesses and researchers with connections to MSU.

The Montana Women’s Business Center at Prospera is launching a new program in 2022 to connect women business leaders and mentors in every county in Montana. 56Strong is tapping into our peer network of business development and community leaders from across the state.

“We are excited to be launching this new mentorship program for women in Montana. Our goal is to not only empower women entrepreneurs and business owners but to bridge the gap between urban and rural communities. Business resources are not the same in each county and by connecting women from all 56 counties we can be a catalyst to propel their business, create new jobs, and gain access to capital.”

Value-Added Food Businesses

Prospera’s Food & Ag Development Center (FADC) now in its 3^rd year has added an independent contractor Ali Moxley as our business specialists who is focused on assisting area food businesses. This Fall Ali has been busy helping 11 local businesses apply for Growth Through Agriculture grants from the Montana Department of Agriculture and the USDA.

Covid has only accelerated those interested in diversifying the local food supplies. Farmers, ranchers and food processers are among a list of area businesses that are adding value to agriculture products and Prospera is working with this industry segment to find ways to improve their business.

Ali is also wrapping up her graduate degree from the MSU Sustainable Food Systems, and we are glad she can put that degree to quick use helping local businesses.

Bozeman Fiber is a non-profit open-access fiber optic network that any internet service provider can use to bring service to a customer. In October, Gallatin County Commissioners approved a $65 million industrial revenue bond to expand the fiber network through out the city and beyond. The goal is to connect every home and business to a gigabit level internet service across the city.

While this type of open network system is used in other states, it’s the first of its kind in Montana. With this new investment it means the whole community will have access to the infrastructure needed to bring high speed internet to everyone who needs it. It also means that areas outside the city will eventually be able to connect to or benefit from this open access fiber network.

The Montana Photonics Industry Alliance (MPIA) will be hosting business and academic leaders from around the world who have selected Big Sky for their next CLRC Conference June 26-30, 2022. MPIA has successfully elevated Southwest Montana and MSU as home to one of the top photonic industry business clusters in the US.

More than 30 local companies and the MSU OpTec Center are expecting 500 people to attend the CLRC – bringing new focus to Montana’s growing tech sector. The conference aims to share the latest in business applications and academic pursuits using light and lasers in industry applications.

If you are in business, expanding or have entrepreneurial aspirations contact our business support team at [email protected] or call 406.587.3113.