Montana Economic Development

For some who served on MAEDC’s volunteer board, though, King’s description doesn’t begin to approximate the disaster that left them little choice but to shut the organization down.

To their credit, local elected leaders have been proactive in trying to create a more business-friendly climate. And at least some developments on the local economic front indicate that it is working.

With laser intensity – Optics community rooted at MSU drives Bozeman, Montana’s local industry and is recognized globally

Montana CDC’s $17 million Stinger Welding expansion project in Libby, Montana received the top award for best use of New Markets Tax Credits among projects from across the country.

"We were very pleased, along with our co-sponsors, to bring Emerging 200 and its MBA-style environment and program, to small businesses in Montana," Joe McClure, District Director of the SBA’s Montana District Office, said. "We had a fantastic Class of 2011 and we appreciate their dedication to the program. We feel that each one of them will have a brighter future as a result of their participation, and that the local and state economy will benefit as well.

Senator Tester hosted a roundtable in Bozeman to explore the role of universities in federally funded research in capital formation and job creation. This site will share video and legislative solutions from the event.

There will be a series of free seminars that businesses can take part of to gain valuable insight
on topics such as "Marketing on a Shoestring Budget", "Ways to Motivate Employees" and other
valuable topics for small businesses. Building Success will run from 8:30 to 11:30 AM also at the
Crowne Plaza Hotel.

In the last 18 months, the city has hired an economic development director, created an economic development council, joined an economic development district, streamlined the planning process, altered the zoning process, jump-started two-year programs at Gallatin College and mended damaged relationships with businesses and other governmental bodies.

And so far it’s worked.

MCDC works to develop businesses using the cooperative business model, both to keep businesses open and to establish new ones, typically in rural communities. In a cooperative, customers are owners of the business and share in its profits.

Tough financial times and a changing economic development scene in Missoula, which includes the addition of the Missoula Economic Partnership to the mix, forced the organization to make the decision to dissolve.