MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• The Montana Clay Tour – 7/19-20 – Helena

  By inviting the public into our studios, we aim to create meaningful connections and enrich our communities.

• They’re Skipping Car Payments; That’s The Final Warning Sign

  This isn’t a macro panic call. It’s a window into structural pressure. The dislocation is real, and markets are still mispricing it. Timing matters.

• Montana Considers Killing Nearly Half Of Its Wolf Population

  Montana is considering setting a wolf kill quota of 500 for the 2025-2026 wolf seasons, nearly half of its wolf population. It would allow hunters and trappers to take as many as 15 wolves each.

• Canadian visits to the U.S. drop 33% in June, impacting Montana tourism

  The number of Canadians visiting the United States declined 33% in June, which followed a 38% decline in May according to a report from Forbes, citing Statistics Canada.

• Montana Department of Commerce Relaunches Wood Products Revolving Loan Fund with Streamlined Guidelines and Expanded Lending Options

  The program is designed to strengthen Montana’s natural resource-based economy by advancing wood products manufacturing, promoting economic diversification and supporting job creation and retention in rural and forest-dependent communities.

• Typical Montana home value up 66% in four years

  Factoring in higher interest rates, the cost of Montana home ownership is more than twice what it was pre-pandemic.

• With new online option and grant funding, Montana State aims to help rural Montanans access school counseling program

  The efforts are part of the MSU Department of Counseling’s ongoing work to train professionals to serve people in communities across Montana, said Rebecca Koltz, professor and head of the counseling department.

• Metaverse takes ‘guesswork’ out of Georgia city’s planning, official says

  Peachtree Corners, Georgia, now has a digital twin of its downtown in the metaverse, which it can use to make data-driven decisions.

Missoula Chamber of Commerce

• Video of Pat Williams Celebration of Life

  “Without freedom of expression, none of us are free. The arts and our basic rights are forever intertwined. Art can flourish without politics, the reverse is not true.” Montana Congressman Pat Williams

• Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Conference July 20 – July 23- Missoula, Montana

  We are excited to sponsor the 2025 WASHTO Annual Conference, July 20-23, 2025. Connect with us and industry transportation experts to exchange valuable knowledge and insights aimed at enhancing our transportation infrastructure and systems. Stop by our booth to explore how our cutting-edge technology solutions empower agencies to effectively plan, design, construct, and manage complex transportation systems through digital delivery.

Great Falls Development Alliance

• GFDA Wins 3 National Impact Awards

  Thank you and congratulations to our amazing staff team, partners, investors and clients!

• GFDA Quarter Index 2025Q2

  GFDA is a certified Community Development Financial Institution and a 501(c)3 charitable organization. High Plains Financial is a certified Community Development Corporation that offers SBA 504 loans statewide. GFDA and High Plains Financial are Equal Opportunity Employers, Lenders and Providers.

Montana Ambassadors

• MPG Ranch Newsletter Issue VI

  A Portable Structure for Identifying Wolverines and Canada Lynx using Integrated Cameras and Hair Snags

Montana Manufacturing Extension Center

• July 2025 Manufacturing News – Montana Manufacturing Extension Center

  Jobs with Manufacturers

Montana Business

• Accelerate MT – Welcome to our Quarterly Newsletter!

  After seven years of leadership, Paul Gladen is transitioning out of his role as Executive Director of Accelerate Montana. Paul will continue forging the path for Montana’s economic growth as Strategic Advisor to Accelerate Montana and the University of Montana’s Associate Vice President for Research & Economic Development.

Funding and Building your Business

• Idaho National Laboratory collaborates with Microsoft to streamline nuclear licensing

  “This is a big deal for the nuclear licensing process,” said Jess Gehin, associate laboratory director for Nuclear Science and Technology at Idaho National Laboratory. “Introducing AI technologies will enhance efficiency and accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies.”

Rural Communities

• Montana launches teacher apprenticeship program with $4M grant

  The program will provide aspiring K-12 educators with a paid, four-year apprenticeship. Participants will gain hands-on experience in classrooms under the mentorship of experienced teachers while completing their academic coursework.

YOUR CAREER

• ‘Magic mushroom’ ingredient may delay aging and extend lifespan

  Psilocybin, the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms, may have both anti-aging as well as mental health benefits.

Energy and Transportation

• How the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Impacts Transportation

  Five ways the bill negatively impacts U.S. transportation policy.

• Ford Plans To Bring Affordable EVs To Market

  “What we really need to be talking about is zero-emissions miles traveled,” he added, not just electric range.

• Costly Dirty Energy Bill – Guy Kawasaki

  The nearly 900-page bill that President Donald Trump signed on July 4, 2025, slashes incentives for wind and solar energy, batteries, electric cars and home efficiency while expanding subsidies for fossil fuels and biofuels. That will leave Americans burning more fossil fuels despite strong public and scientific support for shifting to renewable energy.

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

• Some small school districts blame new Montana law for enrollment challenges

  “Parents now have that choice of where to send their students,” the district’s post said. “Unfortunately, yes, this will cause an extreme hardship for the District, the Community, and for all Rural Schools in Montana.”

• A New Angle – Dr. Reed Humphrey on higher education, part one

  This week Justin speaks with Dr. Reed Humphrey, who sits at the threshold of retirement after a long and winding academic career. Reed has held nearly every academic position possible at the University of Montana, and there’s not much he hasn’t seen.

2025 Legislature and Politics

• Trump administration budget cuts wreak havoc on trail maintenance

  As tourism season begins, trail crews are facing disruptions in key trail maintenance projects.

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

• This AI Founder Became A Billionaire By Building ChatGPT For Doctors

  Daniel Nadler started OpenEvidence to help physicians sort through a deluge of medical research. Now, he’s raised $210 million at a $3.5 billion valuation.

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