MONTANA

Better mousetrap builders – How small-time inventors – alone or in clubs – make widgets for fun (and maybe a profit).

Some weekend inventors fly solo. Many others now join inventor clubs to share lessons and tactics, gaining group-rate access to patent services. Surprisingly – in what one might imagine is an inherently secretive world – many even talk over specific ideas with peers, and the ideas flow.

Governor Schweitzer says Judith Gap wind farm is just the beginning in Montana

After Schweitzer announced his determination to put Montana in the energy-producing business, the crowd greeted his suggestions with enthusiastic applause.

"Old" Coal-to-fuels process big polluter

"The governor has said from the beginning, if this cannot be done cleanly, he’s not interested in it," said Eric Stern, senior counselor to the governor. "The question is: Does the party doing it make that commitment? We’re going to make that commitment."

Kalispell businessman, David Tacke of VenueTech gets prison

"The government is very pleased" with the sentence, said prosecuting U.S. Attorney Kris McLean of Missoula. "It sends the right message … scam artists beware."

Butte-Silver Bow County seeks economic development proposals

“There was definitely a seed planted in our community and it was well worth it,” Penn said of the council’s decision to request proposals.

Investment community failing start-ups says report – Mature Companies Attract Bulk of Venture Capital

According to the report, produced by a joint working group set up between the US Department of Commerce and the European Commission, this lack of investment in early-stage start-ups represents a "fundamental market failure."

Montana Dept. of Commerce Awards $800,000 to Roosevelt County and the Town of Culbertson

Governor Schweitzer strongly supports assistance to local agricultural companies. “Helping Sustainable Systems, LLC will keep good paying jobs in Roosevelt County,” said Anthony J. Preite, Director, Montana Department of Commerce. “The purchase of Montola will help sustain the grain market for current local growers.”

Opening doors for business in the Flathead. "Montana West Economic Development"

"We’re much more sophisticated now," said Liz Marchi. "We have a forward-looking sense of the economy as well as of the educational and developmental partnerships that will move the Flathead from survival to success. We also have a board that’s looking for an expanded agenda of economic development."

Montana upstart business going national with string of 400 franchise restaurants – Grains of Montana

Kyle and Travis Nielsen have signed a 50/50 partnership with Cromwell Corp., of Denver to open 400 Grains of Montana restaurants in the next five years.

Missoula, Great Falls and Billings Ranked in Entrepreneur Magazine’s "Hot Cities for Entrepreneur’s 2005" Rankings

How does your city measure up? Check out the best U.S. cities for entrepreneurs.

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Welcome to MEDA: Leadership Dedicated to Building Montana's Economy

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As the hub of learning, creativity and innovation in Northwest Montana, Flathead Valley Community College is expanding

Montana Bioscience Cluster Initiative - Collaborative program design and execution and integrated programs fostering innovation, technology commercialization, entrepreneurship and sustainable small businesses

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