MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• Why women over 50 are the future of work in the age of Artificial Intelligence

  Calling them “guides to our future,” Vitaud says that women over 50 have the adaptability, emotional intelligence and strategic thinking needed for teams to succeed in a workforce that’s currently marked by breakneck change, tumultuous current events, and far more questions than answers.  If companies are serious about surviving—and growing—in an age of volatility, here are nine reasons why they need to stop overlooking them.

• Montana Department of Commerce Awards Matching Grants to 17 Economic Development Organizations

  “Through the ORE Capacity Building Grant, we are investing in the organizations that communities trust to lead economic growth from the ground up,” said Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio. “By strengthening our economic development organizations, we’re ensuring rural Montana has the capacity, expertise and momentum to turn opportunity into lasting impact.”

• MEDA Spring Conference in Helena, April 7-9 – How CDBG funding can support economic development in Montana communities

  Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to leverage the program to support job creation, retention, and local economic development efforts.

Missoula, Montana Chamber of Commerce

• Missoula Chamber of Commerce Newsletter – March 19, 2026

  We preserve and advance the quality of life in Missoula by advocating for a healthy, responsible and diverse business environment and by providing resources that help businesses succeed.

Northwestern Energy

• I think Northwestern Energy might have the job for you.  Take a look at our jobs below!

      You’ve Got Jobs! Check Them Out Below: Warehouse Person Northwestern Energy – Helena  -Combination District Superintendent Northwestern Energy – Scotland  –  Hydro Aide Northwestern Energy – Great Falls  – Hydro Aide Northwestern Energy – Fishtail  – Hydro Aide Northwestern Energy – Thompson Falls  – Hydro Aide Northwestern Energy – Great Falls  – Hydro Aide Northwestern Energy – Wolf Creek  – Operator Maintenance Journeyman Northwestern Energy – Great Falls

Great Falls Montana Development Alliance

• GFDA Top Sixteen for 3-22-26

  The Upslope Group just released updated details and a new video preview of Meadowview Village, a 163-home community planned within Great Falls. Along with that, they have officially opened the interest list for prospective buyers. With a groundbreaking coming up next month, this is the most complete look at the project so far and the first opportunity for local residents to get early access.

• Allison Strekal is keynoting the Montana Fundraising Summit – April 7 in Great Falls — see the full agenda
  There’s no shortage of fundraising advice out there — and plenty of LinkedIn influencers ready to tell you their strategy is the one that works. But the most valuable question isn’t what’s working somewhere else. It’s what will work in your community. This year’s Fundraising Summit is built around the experience of Montana leaders from across the state, bringing you practical tools and real stories from fundraisers and changemakers with deep roots in communities like yours.
• The Fire Within Celebration! Nominations Open – 4/16 – Great Falls, Montana

  This is a celebration of Woman Business Owners in operation for 5+ years in an established business that has made a significant personal contribution to its success, growth or expansion. We are looking for a business savvy woman who has helped or is helping other business owners or budding entrepreneurs. The winner will have: five plus successful years in business and mentored at least one other entrepreneur.

TechLink

• Accelerate Your R&D with Tech Transfer Opportunities from TechLink

  What do the cardiac pacemaker, shingles vaccine, and CT scanner have in common? They were all developed in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs research centers and ended up in the hands of companies that could bring those inventions to market for veterans and civilians alike.

Montana Business

• Sawdust may be put to use in flame-stopping building panels

  Initial testing indicates that the panels should offer the same level of fire protection as existing cement-bonded particleboards, yet at a much lighter weight.

• Three Ways to Activate Church Parking Lots Seven Days a Week

  Churches need parking, but most of their lots are wasted space six days a week.

• Halter Seeks $2 Billion to Expand AI “Virtual Animal Collar” Fencing Technology

  Pricing starts at $9.90 per cow per month, while a New Mexico State University analysis estimated virtual fencing costs at about $92.71 per cow annually compared to $188 for traditional fencing. An independent study showed a 33% milk production increase and 60% drop in lameness on farms using the system.

• Old Libby, Montana High School on the market for $1.1 million

  The McNews say the listing is intended to generate interest from outside investors or development partners who have experience with historic rehabilitation projects.

• “Slow Bets” – I Had One Shot to Stay in America

  Building a life worth living doesn’t happen overnight. Here’s what a couple of decades of “slow bets” taught me.

• Why onX Backcountry is the App for Outdoor Navigation

  How do people identify terrain risk in the field? Would I encounter slopes I couldn’t ski? Could an app really help demystify the art of winter route planning?

• Montana Career Opportunity – Loan Officer – Headwaters RC&D & Butte Local Development Corporation

  Headwaters RC&D and the Butte Local Development Corporation are dynamic economic development organizations operating in a joint venture and working to foster growth and prosperity in the communities in our seven-county region. Through strategic initiatives and partnerships, we aim to stimulate innovation, attract investment, and enhance the economic landscape. The Loan Officer will assist in the management of the Butte Local Development Corporation(BLDC) and Headwaters RC&D’s loan programs and portfolio. The successful candidate will work with partner lenders and small business owners to originate loan projects, and is responsible for projects from underwriting through funding. The ideal individual will have…

Montana Housing

• Seattle Developer Builds 35-unit Co-housing Complex for his Friends

  It’s a housing model that is gaining traction as people seek more sustainable, community-oriented housing.

Visit Montana

• ‘L’expérience Magnifique’ What is ‘Ski flying’? Incredible Video. You might need Dramamine®

  Lines that used to be unskiable suddenly open up. Tight couloirs with mandatory cliffs turn into launch pads. Every turn carries consequence. Every glide buys access to something bigger.

• Canadians say they’re steering clear of Glacier National Park — and the US

  Canadians who once visited Glacier National Park every summer say they are now reconsidering thanks to a steep increase in the park entrance fee for international visitors, along with political turmoil brought on by the Donald Trump administration.

• Montana Tourism Push Gains Momentum with Strategic Grant Funding

  A total of 48 local event organizations will collectively receive more than $828,000 under the Economic Impact and Destination Event (EIDE) Grant Program. This targeted investment is designed to stimulate visitor traffic, expand regional visibility, and reinforce Montana’s positioning as a diverse tourism destination at both national and international levels.

• Finland was named the world’s happiest country for the ninth consecutive year, the latest World Happiness The US is in 23rd place

  The report’s authors cautioned this year that social media use is driving population-level drops in reported well-being among adolescents. Young English speakers and Western Europeans reported a nearly one-point drop on the happiness scale over the past decade.

YOUR MONTANA CAREER

• Pay gap between women and men widened last year, analysis finds

  The findings were published ahead of Equal Pay Day on March 26, a symbolic date marking how far into 2026 women would have to work on top of their 2025 hours to match what men earned in 2025.

• Trade Careers: Metallica Scholarship Program Names 26 New Scholars In SE Wyoming – Is there a program in your community?

  The heavy metal band Metallica that still fills stadiums, is also filling trade classrooms across the country, including In Montana: Flathead Valley Community College – Kalispell, Montana – Salish Kootenai College – Pablo, Montana

• “A Scam”, “Horrible”, “Unfair” – ‘It Feels Like There’s No Jobs’: 12 Gen Z Voters on the U.S. Economy

  This feels like a decisive moment, both economically and for members of Gen Z in particular, as they enter and change the workplace. For its latest focus group, Times Opinion spoke with 12 white-collar Gen Z job seekers about the rough job market, A.I., what the ideal work environment actually looks like and the rise of “hustle culture.”

Montana Energy and Transportation

• Self-driving buses to arrive in France in next six months

  The site has been designed to be as close to a normal road as possible, to test the buses in “real-world traffic conditions”, said Mr Flon. The circuit at the former airbase includes traffic lights, stop signs, junctions, roundabouts, and speed bumps.

• Groundbreaking study finds a natural way to fight climate change

  This first-of-its-kind study found beavers have a surprisingly efficient method of safely storing carbon dioxide.

• Waymo crosses 170 Million autonomous miles with zero serious crashes

  Google’s self-driving unit hits major safety milestone, outperforming human drivers

2025 Montana Legislature and Politics

• Missoula police use vehicle Grappler to arrest armed suspect

  This innovative tool allows officers to bring potentially dangerous vehicle pursuits to a controlled and safe conclusion, and without relying on high-speed chases.

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

• China Approves the First Brain Chips for Sale—and Has a Plan to Dominate the Industry

  While the United States and Europe are moving cautiously forward with clinical trials, China is racing toward the commercialization of brain implants.

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