MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• TODAY !   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.

• What’s your funding strategy? – The Business Lifecycle Masterclass Series at Montana West Economic Development, Kalispell

  The Business Lifecycle Masterclass Series — a first-of-its-kind program designed to equip Montana businesses with practical tools from startup to succession. From foundational planning to advanced growth strategies, the series is a must-attend for anyone serious about building a resilient and successful enterprise in Northwest Montana.

• 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.

• Census Bureau: New arrivals drive Montana’s growth, deaths outpace births

  Deaths in Montana continue to outnumber births. The Census Bureau reported last year that seniors outnumber children in Montana – one of only 11 states where that’s the case.

• Bozeman, Montana introduces citizen request traffic calming program for safer streets

  Residents can apply to have temporary traffic calming measures such as traffic circles, curb extensions or splitter islands installed in their neighborhoods.

• Helena Area Chamber of Commerce hosts inaugural ‘State of the City’

  Monday, the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce held its inaugural State of the City event. The chamber brought together city officials, community partners, and economic development leaders to share updates, answer questions, and discuss the future of Helena.

Northwestern Energy

• NorthWestern Energy President and CEO Brian Bird tells audience that data centers will extend fossil fuel usage

  NorthWestern Energy President and CEO Brian Bird acknowledged the potential effects of data centers, but also described them as an opportunity for utilities after years of relatively flat demand.

• Northwestern Energy CEO talks future of energy in South Dakota

  “All utilities are trying to get cleaner, and at some point nuclear, which is carbon-free and can provide the same capacity that coal plants and gas plants provide today. Looks like a great alternative in the future. We’re dealing with cost issues and newer technologies today, but I would imagine in 10 years, you could see nuclear in South Dakota,” said Bird.

Great Falls Montana Development Alliance

• 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.

Kalispell, Montana Chamber of Commerce

• 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

• Don’t Miss Out: Strengthen STEM in Our Valley! – 2/17 – Kalispell, Montana

  If you’re interested in education, workforce development, or the long-term vitality of our community, this is a great opportunity to stay informed and connected. Reserve your seat and join the conversation.

TechLink

• Which Technology Transfer Agreement is Right for You?

  A Business Guide to Technology Transfer Agreements

• Montana’s TechLink – DoD expects AI-powered database of patents ready for industry by year’s end

  All too often, DoD Technology Transfer director Steve Luckowski told Breaking Defense, “we build fragile supply chains we’re the only customer for.”

Montana Bioscience Cluster Initiative

• Evidence is accumulating that the shingles vaccine also protects against Alzheimer’s disease—and can slow biological aging.

  Today in Lancet Neurology, another Shingles vaccine natural experiment was reported that had unique features to help establish cause-and-effect for the vaccine (Zostavax, the live attenuated virus vaccine) and reduction of dementia.

Prospera Business Network

• Prospera Navigator Feb/March 2026 Events and Trainings

  Business Trainings and Networking Events

Montana Business

• 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.

• ‘Unprecedented and a mess’: Sweeping new rules restrict nearly all aspects of national park communications

  ‘It’s getting more f—ked up every day’

• Montana Career Opportunity – Climate Reporter – Montana Free Press/Mountain Journal/Grist

  The climate reporter covers the complex intersections of climate change, land, water, energy, agriculture, and rural life across Montana, with attention to how these issues connect to regional and national climate trends. Through a partnership with Grist, the reporter produces in-depth, contextual stories on how climate change is reshaping ecosystems, economies, infrastructure and governance, and what those shifts mean for communities across the state. As part of an innovative climate and environmental reporting team, the reporter pursues local and statewide reporting, while contributing to collaborative projects that deepen understanding of climate science, climate policy, adaptation, mitigation and solutions. Experience with…

Montana Housing

• 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.

• Historic Toole home in University District hits the market for $3.5M

  A stately home listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the University District hit the market by Sterling CRE Advisors this month for $3.5 million.

Regional Economic Development

• The First Vertical Hydroponic Greenhouse in North America Is In Wyoming

  In downtown Jackson, Wyoming, a small plot of land, 30 by 150 feet, produces 100,000 pounds of produce a year, thanks to a farm that soars in the air. Correspondent Martha Teichner looks at the growing industry of locally-sourced vertical farms for urban communities.

City Club Missoula, Montana

• February News for Montana Nonprofits

  For those of you joining us for Nonprofits by the Numbers presentations in Kalispell, Missoula, Bozeman, and Billings this week — we’re looking forward to hanging out! If you’re not able to make it to an in-person event, be sure to check out the virtual presentation on Thursday (Feb 18) next week.

• City Club Missoula hosts Missoula first responders leadership

  Missoula law enforcement and fire addressed the community during City Club, updating the public not just on priorities for their agencies.

Montana’s American Prairie

• Backing bison: American Prairie, tribal coalition file protest over rescinded grazing rights

  Calling the proposed decision to rescind bison grazing permits on federal land “unlawful, factually incorrect, and procedurally deficient,” the Bozeman-based nonprofit conservation group American Prairie on Friday filed a protest with the Bureau of Land Management.

YOUR MONTANA CAREER

• Teens can join Yellowstone National Park’s summer conservation program, apply by March 1

  The park is now accepting applications for the Youth Conservation Corps Program this summer. The month-long program offers students aged 15 to 18 a chance to work on conservation projects like trail rehabilitation and campground restoration. Participants will also collect data for science projects. Mark Rattner NonStop Local Digital Journalist

• Here are 10 six-figure jobs you can get without a college degree

  And what is a new-collar job? Resume Genius defines it as a profession that stresses work experience and nontraditional educational paths, including academic certificates and online training.

Montana Energy and Transportation

• Missoula’s Russell Street Planning Open House – 2/18 – Salvation Army Building

  A section of Russell Street and West Broadway Street has been under design, and the early plans are now ready to be shared with the public.

Montana Government News & Events

• Montana Dept. of Labor warns of email phishing scam

  DLI is aware of an email scam that some Montanans may have received, claiming to be from “DLI Code Enforcement.”

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

• Is Your Ring Camera Watching for Puppies or Someone Else…? Super Bowl Commercial Gets People Howling

  Critics describe the feature as a gateway to broader surveillance capabilities, particularly since some users reported the feature was enabled by default. That approach fuels distrust, especially in a state like Montana where skepticism of centralized control and outside corporate influence runs deep.

• You eventually start to realize, no job is safe with AI

  They’re making a robot for everything…..

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