MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• Fed Report: Non-Metro Financial Conditions Are Worsening

  According to the Fed’s survey, the gap between metro and non-metro residents’ economic well-being continues to widen.

• A Montana Giant Has Passed – John Patrick “Pat” Williams October 30, 1937 – June 25, 2025

  May his life inspire us to work for the public good, take care of each other and remember we have much more in common than that which divides us.

• Family Homesteads With Tangled Titles Are Contributing to Rural America’s Housing Crisis

  The question isn’t whether design can respond to these challenges, but how it can lead by pushing antiquated regulatory and legal frameworks to evolve.

• IEDC Economic Development Practitioners 2025 Questionnaire Survey

  Your insights are our most valuable resource! Economic development navigating unprecedented challenges—from data center infrastructure demands to workforce shortages, housing affordability to new impact measurement approaches.

• National public lands are vital to local economies

  Access to public lands has helped communities diversify their economies, mitigating the market and employment fluctuations characteristic of mining, timber, oil and gas development, and related natural resource industries.

• Why Some Travelers Choose Not To Revisit Montana

  By identifying these barriers and motivators, this report offers insights into
  Montana’s tourism industry. The goal is to indicate opportunities that can help the
  state position itself as a high-quality, inclusive destination that invites travelers back,
  while enhancing Montana’s reputation as a place of natural beauty, culture, and
  welcoming communities.

• ‘Big Beautiful Bill Act’ -Nearby ski areas, hot springs eligible for sale under Senate bill

  Luxury log homes sprouting up along the trail to Jerry Johnson Hot Springs? Real estate developments crowding in along the ski runs at Lost Trail and Lookout Pass ski areas?

• Innovative IEDC rural development summit arrives in Great Falls, Montana

  This unique summit, hosted by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and the Great Falls Development Alliance , aims to foster collaboration and progress in rural and tribal communities across America. Attendees will engage in a cross-sector exchange to enhance understanding and practices in rural economic development.

• Bitterroot Early Learning Network, RCCA offering businesses increased access to child care

  To help get RCCA get off the ground by making it easier for businesses to participate, the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce and Roots to Rise Collective have received $70,000 in grant funding from Zero to Five MT.

• Building Thriving Communities – An On Demand Summit on Economic Mobility

  Local leaders are pivotal in shaping many systems and experiences that impact economic mobility, from workforce development to education, transportation, and housing. These leaders are eager for evidence-based tools they can use to improve economic mobility for people in their communities.

Great Falls Development Alliance

• 400 rural leaders meet in Great Falls to discuss economic development

  Around 400 leaders, including economic officials, developers, and partners, took part in the retreat hosted by the Great Falls Economic Development Alliance.

Montana Business

• Alpine Touch Seasoning – Montana’s Special Spice

  The legacy of Alpine Touch lives on, and its devoted customers can’t get enough.

Housing

• Has Bozeman’s rental market finally flipped?

  A glut of new ‘upscale’ developments is driving prices down from pandemic highs; city officials hope the surplus will have far-reaching effects in one of the state’s most expensive places to live.

Funding and Building your Business

• What’s the Best Strategy to Grow Your Business?

  A little patience and a lot of experimentation can help startups scale successfully, according to a study by Wharton’s Ronnie Lee and Danny Kim.

Rural Communities

• What is the meaning of 3-7-77 in the state of Montana?

  “I was wanting to know what 3-7-77 means on the highway patrol cars and their uniform patches. No one seems to know for sure what 3-7-77 means, or where it even comes from. I was wondering if you could help find out that mystery.”

City Club Missoula

• City Club Missoula Presents: Planes, Plans, and Automobiles Day: Monday, July 14th 2025

  Our panel of local leaders and planners will walk us through the vision, the timelines, and what it all means for residents, businesses, and the future of Missoula.

YOUR CAREER

• Montana Career Opportunity – Missoula County Democrats Organizer – Missoula

  In partnership with the Montana Democratic Party, the Missoula County Democrats are seeking a year-round Organizer to launch our organizing program to strengthen our grassroots and community presence across the county. This position will help leverage the untapped energy and skills of Missoula’s residents to help elect great Democratic candidates locally as well as share our capacities throughout the state. A successful candidate will be an experienced political organizer with a history of building strong relationships with allies and sustainable volunteer teams.

Energy and Transportation

• The EV “Charging Divide” Plaguing Rural America

  With “the deck stacked” against rural areas, will the great electric American road trip ever be a reality?

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

• Education summit underway in Kalispell, focuses on student success

  “If you look at the valley around us and what’s happening in Missoula right now there’s youth mental health issues. Issues among the youth getting along, stuff like that,” said Sandro Pipolo, recent Flathead High School graduate. “Growing up around that, I’ve realized that is something that the curriculum doesn’t really cover directly and when I heard about this, I realized that this is the opportunity to attack that.”

• How student-run security centers can help state and local governments find cyber talent

  Higher education institutions are turning to their students to meet their cyber needs, while simultaneously developing a tech-savvy workforce for the public sector.

• UM Launches New Major in Entertainment, Events and Sports Management

  While the UMEM certificate will still be available, the new EESM major will offer a wider range of topics such as talent management, event planning and execution, athletic administration, sponsorship and revenue development, and venue and facility operations. It also will train students interested in the fast-growing film and television production industry in Montana.

2025 Legislature and Politics

• Trump to rescind Roadless Rule, ending protections for 58 million acres nationwide

  USDA plan to rescind 2001 Forest Service policy on Inventoried Roadless Areas leaves Greater Yellowstone with more questions than answers.

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

• Your next eye surgeon might just be a robot.

  Long term, cofounder Dr. Joseph Nathan told Forbes the technology could also be used for other surgeries, such as retina repairs and glaucoma treatments.

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