MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• States finding ways to solve the childcare challenge

  Many of these efforts align with recommendations from home-based providers themselves, as outlined in a Home Grown report that highlights three promising strategies for addressing the shortage.

• Remote work becoming more important and implemented in Montana

  Montana workers account for 16% of the more than 30,000 hours worked nationwide in remote or hybrid models, according to the U.S. Department of Labor and Statistics.

• Microsoft rolls out initiative to limit data-center power costs, water use impact

  “Especially when tech companies are so profitable, it’s both unfair and politically unrealistic for our industry to ask the public to shoulder added electricity costs for AI,” Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith said in a statement.

• Gov. Gordon asks lawmakers not to defund Wyoming Business Council

  Some legislators are questioning the role and necessity of the state’s top economic development shop ahead of the budget session.

Big Sky Economic Development Montana

• $18.5M Pentagon investment to bolster production for Bozeman-based Lattice defense manufacturer

  Lattice Materials, a Bozeman-based manufacturer known for custom-grown silicon and germanium crystals and precision-machined components, plans to expand its operations with a new 80,000-square-foot facility that is expected to create 50 jobs over the next three years.

Great Falls Montana Development Alliance

• GFDA Top Ten (really 19…) for 1-11-26

  GFDA enters the year focused on keeping deals moving. Progress depends on capital, coordination, and follow through. We’re off to a great start with our investors and partners at the table. Learn more about them by viewing this video. Recent investments include: Pioneer Division—Culligan Water of Great Falls/Malsam Water; Advance Division—TD&H Engineering and TDS Telecom; Pacesetter Division—Aquasource Drilling; Community Division—Geranios Enterprises, Inc. and Harp Financial Group. Thank you for your support! To learn how you can support our work, reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or [email protected].

Prospera Business Network

• Prospera – 2026 Events and Trainings

  Member Meetups and Business Tours are always free for current Prospera members to attend. Starting in 2026, non-members will be charged $20 to attend. Not a current Prospera member? Join today!

Montana Business

• Montana Tech partners on $1 million sustainable cement research project

  Project leaders say the technology could play a key role in building resilient infrastructure, particularly in post-disaster and wildfire-prone areas.

• New Helena mayor Dean delivers first “State of the City” address

  “With continued focus, collaboration and innovation, we are building a Helena that not only is a special place to live today, but an exceptional city for generations to come,” she said. “Let’s embrace this opportunity and move forward together and make 2026 a year of purpose and progress. Thank you, and let’s get to work.”

• Proposed AI data center sparks debate in rural Montana

  A proposed AI facility promises jobs and new energy options, but some residents question water use, taxes and trust.

Funding and Building your Montana Business

• Now there’s a club for lonely business founders.

  The community aims to offer a rare space where founders can speak openly about what’s really happening behind the scenes.

• Broadband Funding Is Approved. Now Comes the Work.

  After years of work, states and territories are closer than ever to building new networks under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. But internet for all requires more than money: The hard work is far from done.

Regional Economic Development

• Washington D.C. Career Opportunity – Senior Vice President of Conservation Programs – The Wilderness Society

  About The Wilderness Society The Wilderness Society is a national conservation organization dedicated to uniting people to protect America’s wild places. We have been involved in virtually every major public lands or wilderness victory since our founding in 1935, helping to protect over 100 million acres of public lands. Through science, advocacy and partnerships with communities and policymakers, we champion the protection of wilderness, national parks, forests, and other public lands that provide clean air and water, wildlife habitat and the freedom to connect with nature. For more information, visit http://www.wilderness.org. Position Overview  This is a Washington, DC based position. The salary…

• Utah Full Steam Ahead On Nuclear Industry While Wyoming Avoids and Montana???

  The 2026 legislative season is ramping up, and Utah lawmakers are fully embracing the nuclear industry while Wyoming legislators appear to be avoiding the subject.

• Putting Wyoming’s Founders on the Map: Startup Wyoming Launches Statewide Initiative

  Wyoming Business Council, Silicon Couloir Partnership launches statewide effort to support entrepreneurs and map innovation across all 23 counties.

City Club Missoula, Montana

• City Club Missoula – Missoula leaders outline vision for growth and infrastructure at the Wye

  Community and economic development director Andrew Hagemeier said the county is addressing two urgent issues at once—a persistent housing shortage and a dwindling supply of industrial land—while planning decades into the future, noting that Missoula’s high quality of life continues to drive growth and demand.

Hellgate Venture Network

• Jill Demers Garland, co-founder of ReWild Ranch to Present at Hellgate Venture Network on Jan 15 in Missoula

  Hi, I’m Jill Demers Garland, co-founder of ReWild Ranch, a regenerative farm and agritourism project west of Missoula on the Clarkfork River, rooted in the belief that healthy people depend on healthy soil.

Tell Us Something

• Tell Us Something – Every story matters. It’s self-evident. You know there is an event next week, right? RIGHT? And you have your tickets, right?

  Tell Us Something has always been a place for us to come together as a community to listen to one another share our truths. To me, it’s self-evident that we all have a story to share, and that everyone’s story matters. It’s self-evident that by joining together in community to share stories, we are stronger, and better able to get out there and make a difference in the world. The stories go beyond mere entertainment.

YOUR MONTANA CAREER

• Have you had a neighborhood pot luck meal together?

  It’s not that hard.

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

• State requirement of fingerprinting every volunteer costs Missoula schools $20,000 per month

  The Montana Department of Justice charges $30 per background check.

  The law requiring volunteer fingerprinting didn’t come with any additional funding for schools.

• Blue & Gold News from Montana State University President Tessman

  There’s a sense of promise and potential in the air on campus, and I can’t wait to see this semester unfold and to join all of you in our community in writing another chapter in MSU’s history.

• Montana State’s quantum research facility awarded $31.5 million for sponsored research, test bed expansion

  “It opens doors for students to establish career paths with diverse emerging and established industry sectors, including the photonics, vacuum technology, cryogenics and materials industries located in Montana,” Rupavatharam said.

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