MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• Montana Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd O’Hair Argues for Consideration of Statewide Sales Tax

  Todd O’Hair’s comments came alongside analysis of the state’s economic status from other experts at a mid-year update from the University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research

• “The Real Yellowstone” movie – 8/24 in Missoula (and many other Montana Communities)

  The Real Yellowstone delves into the lives of ranching families who find themselves at the heart of a complex struggle. As stewards of both livestock and wildlife, these ranchers, whose families have worked the land for generations, face a web of rising real estate prices, predator attacks, and a powerful conservation movement that seeks to reshape the landscape they call home.

• Montana health insurers propose double-digit rate increase for 2026

  One company suggested an average 30% rate increase for individual plans purchased through the federal Marketplace.

• Rocky Mountain REACH Announces the 2025 Pilot Award Projects!

  After receiving 11 promising applications to the 2025 Pilot Awards, RMT-REACH has awarded funding to the following four projects:

• The Missoula Economic Partnership Indicator

  Dare to Lead™ Training Opportunity This Fall

Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority

• Rail Customers Urge Regulators to Block Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Deal

  Senator Chuck Schumer called the merger a ‘hostile takeover of America’s infrastructure.’

• Opinion: Ohio is the Poster Child for Why We Need a Stronger Federal Approach to Passenger Rail

  Ohio’s reluctance to build new passenger rail has made them a bottleneck in the national network, and an emblem of bigger national problem.

Missoula Chamber of Commerce

• Where Coffee Meets Adventure – Planetary Design

  Planetary Design was founded on a simple mission: better coffee, anywhere

Great Falls Development Alliance

• Montana APEX is hosting an exciting, in-person state-wide government contracting event,  Montana APEX GovMatch 2025, on August 13th, 2025 – Great Falls

  Great Falls Development Alliance is proud to host the Great Falls Regional APEX Accelerator Service Center. The government buys everything! Montana APEX offers FREE services to help businesses navigate the intricacies of government contracting and position themselves to sell. APEX Advisors throughout Montana provide consulting, training, and tools for those interested in contracting with government agencies at local, state, and/or federal levels.

• GFDA Top Ten for 8-3-25

  We seek properties across Cascade County—including Great Falls, Belt, and Cascade—that have the potential to spark catalyst redevelopment and transform surrounding neighborhoods. We are specifically looking for sites suitable for a state-of-the-art sports complex, modern market-rate housing, or a conference hotel, each of which can serve as a powerful driver of economic growth, investment, and community revitalization. These high-impact projects have the potential to attract new talent, support workforce needs, and energize both urban and rural areas. If you know of a property that fits this vision, please contact Christian Nichols at [email protected] or 1-406-788-9385. Let’s work together to unlock the next major opportunity for growth in our region.

Montana Ambassadors

• Hey Everyone! Join Us for an Evening with the Montana Ambassadors! – 8/19 – at Planetary Design in Bonner, Montana

  Curious about the Montana Ambassadors?  Please reach out to Jennifer and Tracy (emails above) to learn more about our Missoula chapter.

Montana Manufacturing Extension Center

• This Female-Led AI Company Helps Fix Manufacturing Problems in Real Time—Or Before They Happen

  SixSense is developing “factories that think” to bring what it calls “intelligent automation” to the incredibly complex and important semiconductor industry, according to its website. What this means in practice is that the company’s AI platform leverages data to ideally catch issues early, improve output and increase control over production.

Montana Bioscience Cluster Initiative

• Welcome to the July Edition of Biowire – Montana Bioscience Alliance

  A Montana-grown medical technology company is taking bold strides to solve one of the deadliest and most costly healthcare challenges in the country -and the rest of the nation is beginning to take notice.

Montana Business

• The 1 Big Mistake Companies Are Making by Adding AI to Customer Service

  Does the AI solution provide your customers with a more personalized experience, or does it just infuriate them further?

• New fleet of planes – New machine expanding Missoula, Montana based Neptune Aviation’s manufacturing capabilities for aerial firefighting

  The Hermle will help Neptune make the customizable parts needed to transition their fleet to the Airbus A319 in late 2027.

Regional Business News

• Hawaii’s film economy is collapsing

  Hawaii is in crisis as the industry comes to a sudden and screeching halt

Hellgate Venture Network

• Hellgate Venture Network – Guest Speaker Amy McQuilkin – Clark Fork Yacht Club – 8/21

  AHOY MATEY! COME FLOAT WITH US! No tubes? No wheels? No problem! Clark Fork Yacht Club is Missoula’s new way to float the river. An inspired and fun solution to the slog of car transport and the drudgery of tube wrangling, the Yacht Club provides everything you need to float the river (minus the hassle), from flamingo pink tubes complete with a butt hammock to a quick shuttle trip in a flashy painted van. The Yacht Club is conveniently headquartered steps from the river in an alley on the Hip Strip and also provides storage of your sh*t while you…

YOUR CAREER

• As ADA turns 35, groups fighting for disability rights could see funds slashed. Disability Rights Montana 

  Congress is considering proposals from President Donald Trump to slash funding for disability rights centers in each state, and advocates worry that they could lose more than 60% their federal dollars

• July news for nonprofits – Montana Nonprofit Association

  In case you missed it, yesterday we opened registration for our annual conference. As anyone who has put together a large event like this can attest (gala hosts, we’re looking at you 👀), this is a nerve wracking time! We’ve spent months planning a compelling theme, thoughtful and helpful sessions, delicious lunches, and so much more. We really hope that you take a look at what we’ve put together, and that you agree: this might be our best conference yet.

• How to Build A Life

  A column about pointing yourself toward happiness

Energy and Transportation

• Political headwinds turn against wind farms in southeast Montana

  In July, Congress cut by half the royalties owed to federal and state governments for coal mined on federal land and ended production tax credits for wind and solar projects. Trump followed up by instructing the U.S. Treasury to strictly limit qualifications for the tax credit in its final months.  The Glendive Wind leaseholders were being left in the lurch.

• If John Locke Pulled Up to the Curb and Found No Space
  The truth is that both sides have a Lockean point.
  Requiring parking helps protect shared curb space from overuse and conflict.
  Removing parking rules frees communities from waste, rigidity, and unproductive expansion.

2025 Legislature and Politics

• Group releases text of proposed Montana Constitutional amendment to curb dark money

  Initiative aims to curb political power through the state’s ability to grant charters

Social Media, Connectivity & Communications

• Montana Public Radio Says Thank You!

  Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered and sent words of encouragement this week. You raised nearly $495,000 (and our spirits)! Our funding challenges are far from over, but your generosity gives us room to maneuver as we navigate the new public media landscape. Supporters like you are why public radio works. Thank you!

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