Regional Economic Development

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Is your state ready to handle the influx of federal funds for expanding broadband?

The US$42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, known as BEAD, requires each state to generate a five-year action plan laying out how it will use the funds, including a process for prioritizing locations that are classified as “unserved” or “underserved.”

How States Are Using Pandemic Relief Funds to Boost Broadband Access

This funding is separate from the recently enacted Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which will provide an additional $65 billion to help policymakers address high-speed internet access and adoption.

What is Starlink? Inside the satellite business that could make Elon Musk a trillionaire.

Starlink is a broadband internet service, specializing in the expansion of coverage to rural and remote communities. It accomplishes this by launching a “constellation” of satellites into low Earth orbit via SpaceX rockets.

Great Falls Economic Development Top 10 for 12-5-21

Here is our Top 20 for this week celebrating work and successes to grow and strengthen the Great Falls regional economy — Montana’s Golden Triangle. And, sharing business resources and skill-building opportunities to empower your success.

Own Nothing and Love It

The conversion of the high-rise office space into what urbanist Richard Florida describes as the “the last relic of the industrial age“ suggests a future more likely dispersed than concentrated. The shift to remote work covers a large part of the workforce which historically filled high-rise offices—media, analysts, programmers, marketers, and designers.

Headwaters Economics – Outdoor economy, funding equity, Indigenous areas, new staff

Using new data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Headwaters Economics updated its analysis of the outdoor recreation economy. Interactive maps, charts, and graphs make it easy to see the impacts of the outdoor economy in every state. While this sector declined by 19% from 2019 to 2020, it is still one of the most significant in the U.S. economy.

Communication is key: Montana Language Services in Bozeman provides translations as Montana and Northern Rockies become more diverse.

With Montana’s growing population there has been more of a need for language accessibility and Montana Language Services in Bozeman aims to help businesses and people as well as the community across Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, get that language access.

Public Q&A with Karhu Koski Distillery in Choteau! – 12/7 – 7PM

Karhu Koski Distillery is holding a public meeting at the Stage Stop Inn on December 7th, 2021 at 7 pm. Refreshments will be served and a Q&A session will be held after the main presentation.

Senator Tester says small communities should “reach out” and start planning infrastructure projects

“This money is going to flow through traditional mechanisms they’ve been using forever. So, I would get in contact with the folks with the Revolving Water Fund if you’ve got sewer and water needs. I’d get in contact with the Montana Department of Transportation if you’ve got highway and bridge needs. And just go down the list. And the end results going to be pretty good projects. And the reason is because this bill’s going to be over five years.” – Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)

Great Falls Montana Trade Area Growth Highlights

Home to one of the 5 most extraordinary bars in the world (Artful Living)

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Faster, Cheaper Internet in Missoula

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It is simply amazing, without reserve, and the best piece of fine furniture we have ever encountered. ​-Ted LaCriox Arlee, Montana

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Montana West Economic Development - Mission: To cultivate growth through the support of new and expanding businesses in the Flathead Valley