“Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves.  Living for others is a rule of nature.  We are all born to help each other.  No matter how difficult it is… Life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you.”  Pope Francis

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• The Nonprofit Producer Partnership donated nearly 250,000 pounds of Montana-raised animal protein to the Montana Food Bank Network, Montana Schools and other charities across the Big Sky State.

  Our nonprofit organization partners with livestock producers across the state by processing donated livestock into top quality protein and providing it to food banks to help those in need. Local producers, and food centers working in partnership to provide Montana protein to those individuals and families with food insecurity. This is the spirit of Montana neighbors helping one another.

• MEDA is excited to announce that applications for Montana Community Reviews are now open!

  For those unfamiliar, a Community Review is an in-depth peer assessment designed to create a strategic game plan for your community’s economic development. Experienced economic developers will immerse themselves in your community, learning all there is to know and helping to craft actionable strategies

• Remote Work Extends to Factories and Farmlands – Digital Twins

  Digital twin technology can ultimately extend the opportunity of WFA to all kinds of new industries, tasks, and frontline and desk-less workers in factories, warehouses, farms, hospitals, airports, and power plants, among other settings. Implementing digital twins requires a strategic plan focused on up-skilling, re-skilling, and retrenchment of workers.

• Sabey Data Centers, a Washington state company secures land, seeks power for Butte data center

  Kristen Rosa is Butte’s Economic Development Coordinator. She told commissioners the project had been thoroughly vetted by local officials and that the county has a provision to reacquire the land if Sabey’s plans fail to materialize.

Big Sky Commerce

• Missoula community unites for Reserve Street Bridge cleanup

  Kevin Davis, host of the Reserve Street Public Working Group, shared his thoughts on the importance of this event. “As challenging as Reserve Street can be… For a lot of people, it’s also a vital part of our transportation system and so we can neglect it, or we can focus on it and make it better for everyone,” he said.

Big Sky Economic Development

• Youth Employment Programs in Billings

  Develop work skills, expand professional connections, and build your resume!

  One application = many opportunities

City of Bozeman Economic Development

• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Montana State to host virtual Friday Forum on Bozeman’s long-term water supply plan – 5/9 – Online Zoom

  The forum will feature a presentation and analysis of Bozeman’s long-term water supply and related planning efforts. A short overview of the city’s current water supply sources will be followed by recommendations for future use and sustainability.

Great Falls Development Alliance

• International Economic Development Council 2025 Rural Retreat June 23–25 | Great Falls, Montana

  Rural Recharged: New Energy, New Possibilities Join us in Great Falls, Montana—the Electric City—for a conference created by rural leaders for rural leaders. This first-of-its-kind event will bring together a community dedicated to creating new energy and opportunities for rural and tribal places across America.   Register Now

Kalispell Chamber of Commerce

• As the ‘Silver Tsunami’ Hits the Flathead Valley, Dementia Diagnoses are Rising While Caregivers Reach a Breaking Point  

  An estimated 2,000 people with dementia live in Flathead County, overwhelming the region’s scarce resources and shrinking workforce as the baby boomer generation continues to age

Montana Manufacturing Extension Center

• April 2025 MMEC Manufacturing News

  As a manufacturer, there’s a good chance that you’re trying to pivot some aspect of your operations to tackle a sudden new challenge or take advantage of an unexpected opportunity.  It’s a good time to remind you that MMEC is here to help.

Prospera Business Network

• Prospera Navigator – Upcoming Events

  WE HAVE BACON!!

  Pancake Breakfast

Montana Business

• Kaleidoscope Group – A creative process toward a shared vision

  Kaleidoscope Group is an experiential marketing firm, headquartered and operated in Montana and 75% women owned. We are known for our unique approach to projects, combining neuroscience, environmental design, proven business theory, and the five senses to help organizations move beyond status quo and create a personality that is special, refreshing, and relevant.

• Skydiving comes to Stevensville with Drop Zone Opening Friday – 4/25/25

  Elizabeth and Luke Short, the owners of the new drop zone, decided to open in Stevensville after realizing the potential for skydiving in this part of the state.

Funding and Building your Business

• Rebel Founders Wanted | Master Your Pitch – $220,000 Available

  Today, Techstars is introducing an improved accelerator investment offer for companies accepted into our future accelerator programs. This improved offer of a $220,000* investment comes with all the benefits of our 3-month mentorship-driven accelerator program, valuable perks from our partners, and access to our world-class network of investors, partners, mentors, and alumni.

City Club Missoula

• City Club Missoula – The State of the Community – Missoula leaders: Federal cuts won’t derail local progress on diversity, affordability

  “It is our time here locally to lead with vision, focus and our values,” Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis said.

Energy and Transportation

• Sleek, Stylish Curbside EV Charging (Bring Your Own Cable), Coming Soon To A City Near You

  The company’s sleek-looking charging stations look sleek because they are not draped with clumsy-looking charging cables. EV drivers who subscribe to the service receive their own charging cable, which they carry with them.

• Earth is headed toward several catastrophic climate ‘tipping points,’ study warns. Happy Earth Day…..

  “It is clear that we are currently on a dangerous trajectory – with tipping points likely to be triggered unless we change course rapidly.” Tim Lenton, from the University of Exeter’s Global Systems Institute in the United Kingdom.

21st Century Education Initiative – “You Should Care…”

• 47 University of Montana employees laid off after $6.5 million federal cut

  According to UM spokesperson Dave Kuntz, the Defense Critical Language & Culture Program is a “pretty unique” program that educates U.S. Armed Forces on the language and culture of the countries they will likely deploy to.

• Finalists announced for Montana State’s $100K Venture Competition

  The competition provides entrepreneurs the opportunity to present their business ventures, receive feedback and compete for startup funding.

VR/AR, Blockchain, Bitcoin, Artificial Intelligence and The Internet of Things

• 60 Minutes – What’s next in artificial intelligence according to a tech visionary who may hold the cards to our future

  Artificial general intelligence, in which computers have human-level cognitive abilities, is just five to 10 years away, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis predicted in an interview with 60 Minutes.

MATR Newsletter Supporters: