A new MATR.net is launching tomorrow. 

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• Economic Uncertainty and International Tensions Prompt Decline in Flathead Valley Tourism

  Tourism bureau expects a drop in travel demand as U.S.-Canada border crossings and Canadian spending declines while travelers voice concerns about the uncertain economic climate

• The secrets of communicating effectively as a leader

  Leaders must build strong relationships with their employees, so it’s important that they understand the key components of effective communication.

• SBA Hits the Breaks on Community Advantage Loan Program That Helped Underserved Founders

  The Small Business Administration will no longer allow new lenders into its Community Advantage loan program.

• Trump’s Small Business Administration Repackages Old Data And Calls It A Solution

  The SBA launched a new portal to help firms find U.S. manufacturers. But the data isn’t new, and the cost and availability gap with China hasn’t gone anywhere.

• U.S. Census: Gallatin, Flathead County add most residents in Montana

  Since 2020, Kalispell has grown nearly 25% — one of the fastest growing cities in the nation

• Here’s the latest from the Missoula Economic Partnership – Indicator May 2025

  Join HVN on Thursday, May 22, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM at Missoula Economic Partnership as we welcome REMSIGHT, fresh off their first-place win at the John Ruffatto Business Startup Challenge.

• Leaders who need a fresh perspective and unbiased advice should consider forming an advisory board.

  The chief value they bring, or more accurately, should be formed and managed to bring, is perspective.

Northwestern Energy

• NorthWestern Energy earns certification for employee satisfaction – Career Opportunities

  The certification is awarded based on employee feedback about their experiences working for the company.

Big Sky Economic Development

• United Airlines Expands Seasonal Air Service with New Daily Flights from Billings to Chicago

  The City of Billings, Billings Logan International Airport (BIL), in partnership with Visit Billings, the Billings Chamber of Commerce, and Big Sky Economic Development are thrilled to welcome the expansion of service from United Airlines with the launch of their daily seasonal flight from Billings (BIL) to Chicago (ORD).

Great Falls Development Alliance

• Survey to determine interest in part-time law school in Montana

  We are working with a reputable university on the potential expansion of their existing law school and opening one in Montana. While they conduct their assessment, they are seeking feedback from the community on the concept which incorporates a non-traditional, part-time enrollment option.

  If this is of interest to you, please take the survey and share with groups that you think would benefit or be interested.

Montana Business

• A new MATR.net is launching tomorrow. 

  We’ve spent a lot of time and resources to improve the technology behind the site so more will want to see how Montana is moving it’s economy forward while preserving what we all value in our state.

• Montana Ag Network: how an autonomous tractor is helping this farmer

  The seeder still has to be filled by hand every six hours or so, but once it starts Yirsa can focus on other tasks, while the tractor does it’s job. Yirsa claims going autonomous has saved him nearly $2 million dollars on labor and equipment.

Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance

• An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Choosing an AI for Your Business
  Picking an enterprise AI for your company can feel overwhelming, so we broke the process down into a step-by-step guide.

Housing

• California Residents Most Impacted by Montana’s Property Tax Change

  Californians who own properties in Montana stand to shoulder a heavier tax burden as a result of a new bill which will increase property taxes on second homes in the state, while offering relief to primary residence’s owners and long-term rentals.

Funding and Building your Business

• 25 Exciting Small Businesses to Kick-Start Today

  So, why not you? And why not right now?

Regional Business News

• “Apple in China: The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company” – The Daily Show Video

  Award-winning journalist Patrick McGee joins Jon Stewart to discuss how Apple built China in his new book “Apple in China: The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company.” They talk about Apple “sleepwalking” into this crisis, building a competitive market in Xi Jinping’s authoritarian state, the vocational training that boosted rivals, how Trump’s attempted Apple boycott backfired, and whether investments may be facilitating the annexation of Taiwan.

Tell Us Something

• Tell Us Something Newsletter – JUST ANNOUNCED! “Lost and Found!” Tickets on Sale Now!

  Call for Storytellers: “Lost and Found”

• Tell Us Something presents live storytelling on the theme “Lost and Found” – Mon, Jun 30 – Missoula, Montana

  Eight storytellers will share their true personal stories without notes on the theme:
  “Lost & Found”

YOUR CAREER

• How a scientist who studies ‘super agers’ exercises for a longer life….Work till you drop?

  Seventeen years ago, Eric Topol, a cardiologist and founder of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, set out to discover why some people age so well, when others don’t. Aged 53 at the time, Topol considered healthy aging to be of deep scientific — and personal — interest.

• 10 new Montana nonprofit jobs – Executive Director, Chief Fiscal Officer, Marketing & Communications Coordinator and more….

  Providing leadership for Montana’s nonprofits to promote a sustainable, networked, and influential sector.

Energy and Transportation

• Earth’s ‘catastrophic’ ice melt problem is worse than previously thought, study says

  The world’s two gigantic ice sheets are in greater peril from global warming than previously thought, a study published May 20 says.

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

• Montana education officials approve change to proficiency assessments for students with special needs

  Board of Public Education greenlights a pitch to streamline statewide academic testing for students with cognitive disabilities.

2025 Legislature and Politics

• New Montana law limits what flags can be flown at schools and government buildings

  The law effectively bans the flying of Pride flags and other LGBTQ flags from being flown at schools or government buildings.

• Montana Governor Gianforte vetoes hearing aid bill

  Legislation would have expanded hearing aid coverage to all ages.

• Gianforte vetoes bill seeking to add transparency to gubernatorial decision-making

  “This leads to corruption. It seems that corruption is the term du jour at the federal level, and now we’re seeing it at the state level,” Stafman said. “This is a small, technical issue in some ways, but in terms of consequences, it’s as big as they come.”

Social Media, Connectivity & Communications

• Bluesky Is Plotting a Total Takeover of the Social Internet

  All the lefties fled to Bluesky following Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover. But CEO Jay Graber says the app is for everyone—and could revolutionize how people communicate online.

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