Rural cities get a helping hand for tech workforce and economic development

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• For Tribal Communities, Self-Owned, Open-Access Networks

  Tribal communities are some of the nation’s least connected areas, making them fertile ground for innovative broadband deployments and tech. Speakers on a recent panel said open-access, tribe-owned systems may be best.

• This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors

  A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.

• The Wyoming Hospital Upending the Logic of Private Equity

  Instead of cutting services to cut costs, one rural hospital plans to thrive by offering more.

• Rural cities get a helping hand for tech workforce and economic development

  A public-private partnership to help rural Americans obtain tech skills and jobs is looking to support workforce growth and economic development in small towns.

• Want More Women in Leadership? Tell Them They’re Losing Out

  A Wharton study found that highlighting the gender gap in competition on a job platform increased women’s applications for leadership roles by over 20%.

• 20 Grants You Can Apply For to Fund Your Business

  These grant programs offer an alternative to debt and equity investments.

• “The List” June 2025 10 Things Butte Local Development Corporation Checked Off Our List in the Last Month

  Business Recruitment is Heating Up We refined our recruitment marketing materials with new data sets and stats on Butte. We also responded to several Requests for Information from the Montana Department of Commerce business attraction team in collaboration with BSB Community Economic Development.

• Interior Secretary Burgum Wants Foreign Visitor Fees, $1B Cut To National Parks

  “I have a lot of friends who are Canadians, and I can tell you their distaste for the attitude of the administration toward them is already palpable, and it seems to be spreading around the world.” Sen. Mike Gierau

Northwestern Energy

• NorthWestern Energy Outlines How $1 Billion of Investments Deliver Direct Benefits in Safe, Reliable Power for Montana Customers

  “While there is a lot of noise and opinions about the decisions NorthWestern makes, we take our responsibility seriously to keep the lights on and the heat flowing,” Norcott said. “The evidence in this case will show that the decisions NorthWestern has made over the last two years were prudent and comply with Montana law. What I ask is that you hear the evidence, you remember the reasons NorthWestern made these decisions – to provide safe, reliable and affordable utility services.”

Big Sky Economic Development

• Economic development leaders, legislators, weigh in on NorthWestern Energy rate case

  “It’s reliable baseload like Yellowstone (the Yellowstone County Generating Station) that keeps us in business and keeps the economy moving,” said Paul Green, executive director of Big Sky Economic Development Authority.

Great Falls Development Alliance

• GFDA Top Ten for 6-15-25

  Do you know of any commercial properties with the potential to drive catalyst redevelopment in our community? We are actively seeking properties that could serve as a spark for broader revitalization—such as a conference hotel, sports complex, or market-rate housing development—that could inspire additional investment in both our local and rural areas. If you’re aware 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 transformational opportunities for our region.

Prospera Business Network

• Prospera Navigator Upcoming Events

  Business trainings and Networking Events

Housing

• Unanimous Approval: Meadowview Village Attainable Housing Community Moves Forward in Great Falls

  Located near Central Avenue and 46th Street South, Meadowview Village will offer 163 single-family homes at a variety of sizes and price points, allowing residents to own both their homes and the land beneath them—a crucial step toward building long-term equity and financial stability. The community is tailored for Great Falls’ workforce families, teachers, first responders, and retirees, offering high-quality, energy-efficient homes at attainable price points.

Funding and Building your Business

• This simple template can help you answer any job interview question

  This four-part method can aid you when replying to any question you get asked—even the unexpected ones.

Regional Economic Development

• Wyoming Business Council Proposes Major Changes to the State’s Largest Economic Development Fund

  Program rule changes are intended to better align with the Council’s mission of reversing economic decline and building strong, self-reliant communities.

City Club Missoula

• City Club Missoula hosts wildfire preparedness forum with expert panel

  The forum not only highlighted the expertise present in Missoula but also served as a call to action for residents and policymakers alike. As wildfires continue to pose a significant threat, the discussions underscored the need for ongoing community engagement and proactive planning to safeguard lives and property.

YOUR CAREER

• Amid recruiting challenge, Missoula City Attorney’s Office looks to fill positions

  The two divisions of the Missoula City Attorney’s Office are working a growing number of cases while seeking to fill vacant positions at a time when netting qualified candidates remains challenging.   Full Story

Energy and Transportation

• Two new laws look to protect motorists, pedestrians

  The misdemeanor offense carries an initial fine between $25 and $100. Subsequent offenses carry higher penalties. If a person hits one of the beacons, or crosswalk devices, they are also now liable for the damage to them.

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

• AI in education needs more than innovation–it needs intention

  The future of AI in education will be shaped by the values we embed in the systems we build and the choices we make today

• Missoula Teacher Clears the Air About Artificial Intelligence

  “That starts with teachers starting to explore those tools themselves, and even if they don’t use a single AI tool with students, I think there’s some really interesting and amazing things that that teachers can use these tools for that not only gives them some frame of mind, such as understanding how the tool works, but more importantly, helps them start to develop strategies based on their seat of the pants wisdom of teaching, to know when to advise a student, perhaps to use an AI tool and when to hold it a bit away, because it’s going to compromise the learning environment.”

2025 Legislature and Politics

• Trump just got OK to shrink (or abolish) national monuments

  The opinion “lays the groundwork for unravelling national monuments and dismantling the Antiquities Act, a bedrock conservation law that grants presidents authority and discretion to protect lands with historical, cultural and scientific significance,” stated the Wilderness Society.

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

• New Research Finds That AI Is Creating More Jobs and Higher Pay

  One reason for that increased pay was surging productivity, with the companies having embraced AI the most quadrupling their output compared with slower adopting businesses.

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