Montana Economic Development

Hotel owners will have another opportunity to learn the facts about TBIDs and discuss their concerns at an upcoming meeting slated for March 11. It would be a good idea for both supporters and protesters to attend, and help bring this unnecessary impasse to an end.

These Southern communities changed their fates after recognizing some hard truths. To stay vibrant they would have to reinvent how they attract and retain businesses, and to do that, they would need outside help.

Great Falls Development Authority leaders believe the community is in good shape to charge ahead when the national economy brightens.

The mission will help Montana companies develop relationships with new clients through prearranged one-on-one meetings. It will also provide an opportunity for companies already doing business in the region to cultivate stronger ties with business partners.

Just saving American business from catastrophe was a heroic enough task over the past two years. Now, however, the focus has shifted to that one-syllable mantra that is the fundamental building block of economic growth: jobs.

"Since I first started hosting these summits ten years ago, they’ve just gotten better and better. I have a feeling this is going to be our best summit yet. More than ever before, Montanans are working together to get our economy back on track. We are working to create good paying jobs that will keep Montana families right where they belong- here in Montana."

It’s a dog-eat-dog world, and these days, jobs may be the bone.

It’s up to the cities and businesses to help themselves, Fisher stressed, and the time to start is now.

"Well, it would be nice to have a business person on his cabinet," Sen. Baucus said in pointed criticism. "We have all those people there, and not one of them has run a business or had to meet a payroll."

“The Level Playing Field Act will open the door for smaller companies to get some skin in the game,” Tester said. “All too often we see the bigger firms at the head of the pack, competing for—and winning—the biggest contracts. This bill will change that.”