Regional Economic Development
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Data centers and Montana’s energy future – Northwestern Energy
Data centers bring new jobs, tax revenue and long-term investment to towns and cities.
Nominations are now open for the Fire Within 2026!
We are looking for women who:
Have started or purchased and are running a business in North Central Montana.
Have been in business over one year.
Who are impacting our region with their goods and services.
Submitting is easy. We want their name, business name, email, phone, and for you to tell us why you believe they should receive the Fire Within Award. You can nominate yourself! All submissions must be made prior to March 31.
Montana Department of Commerce Weekly Roundup – Volume 3, Issue 6
The Weekly Roundup is a summary of events, news and information important to Commerce’s constituents this week. Click on any topic for more information.
Data center tax break proposal fails in South Dakota legislative committee
At least 37 states offer some sort of data center incentive, ranging from sales and use tax exemptions to property tax abatements, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Housing prices in Montana cooling, but still out of reach for many
Housing remains a stubborn problem unlikely to get solved anytime soon without seismic shifts in the market or supply because the average home price still far outpaces the average resident’s ability to pay.
As AI investors eye Montana for new data centers, communities brace for water impacts
Massive data centers could more than double Montana’s electricity needs. Here’s what we know about how three are expected to impact local water supplies.
Slow, Sustained Economic Growth Expected to Continue in Flathead County
At the annual University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) seminar in Kalispell on Feb. 10, experts forecast Flathead County to continue following statewide trends of increasing jobs, steady construction and strong wage growth as the local economy stabilizes
Polson chamber hosts business prosperity conference Thursday 2/12 – Red Lion
Polson is known for its beautiful views of Flathead Lake, making it a popular tourist destination for years and now, the Polson Chamber of Commerce wants to help local businesses thrive beyond the summer months.
GFDA Data Center Task Force – We Need Your Input – 2/23 – Great Falls College MSU – Heritage Hall
Data centers have been around for decades. Many of these data centers have been great community partners. In the past three years some data centers have built negative reputations for their resource use and community interactions. As the surge in data centers continues, we know our community will be approached again.
We need your help to identify in advance what questions to ask potential projects, what would make for an exciting project we can be proud of, and what do we want to avoid.
The trillion-dollar question for AI business models. What about the Data Centers They’re Paying For?
Investments in AI companies have surged, but profitability remains out of reach for many, prompting concerns about future business models.



