Universities and Economic Development

Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.

K-12 public school cuts will darken University of Montana and Montana’s future – The State with the Best Education Wins!

Not only do these cuts make it less likely for students to pursue creative careers through the University, they also hurt new graduates’ abilities to find teaching jobs in Montana.

UM and Wells Fargo Launch Rural Entrepreneurship And Leadership Co-Lab for Women

Since 2020, women have created about half of new businesses filed in the U.S. up from about 29% previously, according to a 2023 U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship report. As women continue opening businesses, this initiative recognizes the importance of prioritizing rural communities across the nation and aims to address the growing need for solution-finding for rural economies.

MSU’s Montana Innovation Partnership adds new consultants for regional Montana technology companies

The three consulting firms will work with MTIP to support Montana companies applying for Small Business Innovation Research, or SBIR, and Small Business Technology Transfer, or STTR, funding by providing coaching, reviews and other assistance.

Montana State University receives ten-million dollar grant in “The Mountains and Plains Thriving Communities Collaborative”

The grant is “to bolster the capacity of groups and individuals in Region 8 to solve local environmental and energy challenges, particularly in the case of underserved communities and places that have excessive environmental burdens or have experienced environmental racism.”

BUSINESS BRIEF: Headwaters Tech Hub Letter from Grant Kier of Missoula Economic Partnership

The Headwaters Tech Hub (HTH) recognizes and seeks to extend our region’s leadership in photonic sensing, accelerate our ability to commercialize technologies at scale, and increase our ecosystem’s technology footprint into sectors vital to the national and economic security of the United States.

Spring Enrollment Figures Highlight University of Montana’s Continued Growth

UM reports 10,349 students enrolled in classes this spring, a 2.4% increase over the spring 2023 semester. More students are enrolled at UM for spring semester than any year since 2019.

Blue & Gold News from Montana State University President Cruzado

Today I’m delighted to share fantastic news about your university: Spring enrollment at Montana State set a new all-time record, with 16,110 students attending classes at the state’s largest university.

CyberMontana Advances University of Montana’s Mission to be Cybersecurity Hub for Treasure State

CyberMontana offers Montanans access to K-12 cyber education, hosts STEM summer camps for aspiring cyber professionals, security awareness training, as well as supports UM’s cybersecurity degree programs.

University of Wyoming Is doubling down to support economic growth in Wyoming

The Equality State’s lone four-year public university is performing research and launching initiatives that bolster existing industries while encouraging new ventures.

This is why immigration in the U.S. is so vital to our future. How, where, and why Montana became the grayest state in the West

People like to talk about new technologies and innovations, because that’s fun. Demographics aren’t fun. But they’re going to be as important, if not more, to overall economic growth than most innovations over the coming decades.

MATR Sponsor (view all)


The MDT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program encourages and supports the participation of companies owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in transportation contracts.

MATR Supporters (view all)


Great Falls trade area. Competitive for food, ag, bioprocessing, energy, and support. Closest U.S. metro area to Calgary. Untame Your Entrepreneurial Spirit!

Prospera helps businesses and communities find their pathway to success, acting as the navigator, problem solver and catalyst for a strong Montana economy.

The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce is the longest-standing and leading advocate for the Flathead Valley community and business climate.