MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• How the French pensions débâcle is a warning to us all

  Today on the show, what France’s political fiascos teach all of us about the economics of an aging population, and what a retirement expert’s ideal retirement system might look like.

• ‘We miss you’: Kalispell, Montana launches campaign to woo back Canadian visitors

  “To us, it’s about people and that human connection, and we just felt it was time to let our Canadian neighbour know that despite what’s going on, we’d love to have them back.”

• Sierra Club Wisconsin Applauds New Data Center Accountability Legislation

   There is currently no requirement that data centers pay the full costs of the extra infrastructure or pressure on the grid. Without protections in place, all ratepayers could be footing the bill for these massive energy users. The new legislation prioritizes safeguarding Wisconsin’s natural resources, pushes for expanding clean energy, and protecting Wisconsin workers and ratepayers.

• Emotionally Intelligent People Use the 5-Minute Handshake With Stress Trick for Greater Resilience

  A boatload of psychology research shows you can boost your emotional intelligence in minutes with this simple technique.

• CoBuild Montana launches and supports cooperative, values-based businesses—keeping wealth, jobs, and decision-making rooted in Montana.

  Transforming bold ideas into resilient, community solution cooperatives and values-based businesses. We build ventures that keep jobs and decisions local. Each stage of our pipeline builds momentum for lasting local impact—guided by shared values, focused themes, and practical, real-world progress.

Bear Paw Development

• New $350,000 business fund launched by The Bear Paw Development Corporation aims to revitalize Montana’s Hi-Line communities

  “We’ve been talking to entrepreneurs for years and in some cases, decades, about the financing that they need to improve their businesses and really to improve. And in some cases, revitalize downtown business districts, not just here in Havre, but throughout the Hi-Line in our five-county region,” Bear Paw Development Corporation executive director Paul Tuss said.

Missoula Chamber of Commerce

• Tour the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Visitor Center in Missoula, Montana – where conservation comes to life

  “Hopefully, this is something the community takes advantage of,” Weaver said. “It’s a great thing for Missoula, Montana, as well.”

Great Falls Development Alliance

• GFDA Top Ten for 11-9-25

  The new $13 million water treatment plant in Belt, which has been under development since 2007, held its official ribbon-cutting; see KRTV. Bear Paw Development in Havre has launched a $350,000 business revitalization loan fund; see Havre Daily News and KRTV. KRTV also ran a great story about the recent Montana Business Attraction Mission to Japan and South Korea which GFDA participated in. And stories about the new Big Sky Bungee in Great Falls and bacon lovers’ favorite meat processor Saco Pay-N-Save.

Kalispell Chamber of Commerce

• Preparing Montana’s Youth for Today’s Workforce

  At the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, we are proud to partner with our schools to provide internships, job shadows, and other work-based learning opportunities that bring education and industry together. We speak business; our schools speak education and preparation—and together, we’re building the bridge that helps students move confidently from the classroom to their careers. It’s a great thing for our students, our employers, and the future of our valley.

• Kalispell chamber celebrates outstanding business and community leaders

  “These honorees represent the very best of what makes Kalispell and the Flathead Valley thrive,” said Lorraine Clarno, president and CEO of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. “They lead with integrity, serve with purpose, and inspire all of us to venture boldly toward a stronger, more connected Flathead Valley.”

Zoot Enterprises

• Bozeman, Montana’s Zoot Enterprises Modernizing Financial Systems: A Strategic Approach to Legacy Transformation and Fraud Prevention

  In this interview, I talk with Casey Ferguson, VP of Marketing at Zoot Enterprises, about the company’s phased approach to modernizing financial systems, integrating legacy technology, and enhancing fraud prevention strategies. Ferguson explains why incremental progress, cross-functional collaboration, and layered fraud defenses are key to effective digital transformation.

Montana Business

• ‘Turning points’: Montana’s Bridger Aerospace (Sen. Sheehy) refinances debt, sells HQ in $380M deals

  Bridger also announced Oct. 28 it had also finalized the $49 million sale of its headquarters and hangar facilities hat Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Belgrade.

• Launch Your Startup: From Idea to Market Value – Missoula Fall 2025 Startup Starter Application 

  This hands-on, five-week course helps aspiring founders and innovators move from idea to market-ready startup. Each week builds practical skills — from identifying opportunities to pitching your venture — with guidance from experienced entrepreneurs and business mentors.

Housing

• Young homebuyers lose more ground in housing market as states struggle to help

  The share of first-time homebuyers dropped to a new low of 21% of all buyers, and the median age of those first-time buyers increased to 40, up from as low as the late 20s in the 1980s.

• Data Centers are Crushing Communities. Turning Data Center Revenues into Affordable Homes

  Henrico County’s innovative approach uses tax revenue from data centers to fund affordable housing.

• New homebuyer assistance program launches across Montana

  The program contributes 30% of the home purchase price, with a limited equity return at resale to support future buyers.

Regional Economic Development

• How Wyoming Is Trying To Become A Player In America’s Manufacturing Comeback

  Wyoming business leaders say the effort to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. is an existential crisis for America and the world. Gillette businessman Mike Wandler, whose company makes components for NASA, says restoring the balance of power is critical.

Regional Business News

• Here’s How Many Billions Meta Earned From Ads That Are Trying to Scam You

  An investigation by Reuters revealed that 15 billion ‘high risk’ advertisements reach its users every day.

Rural Communities

• How Pat Williams Kept His Promise to Montana

  His family, friends and admirers say his legacy in the Flathead – and as Montana’s longest-serving congressman – lies with his advocacy for conservation, and on behalf of Native Americans

City Club Missoula

• Today – See you on Monday 11/10 – City Club Missoula – Making Sense of TIF Funding: Where It Succeeds, Falls Short, and Impacts to Tax Payers – 11/10

  Join City Club Missoula for an engaging forum to explore TIF financing: the benefits, challenges, and the potential improvements of TIF strategies to better serve our community’s needs. Panelists: Jesse Ramos & Karl Englund Moderator: Patrick Barkey Monday November 10, 2025 Program: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Location: Missoula Public Library 454 East Main Street, 4th Floor Cooper’s Space Lunch registration closes on Monday, November 3, 2025 at 11 am   Register Here

Hellgate Venture Network

• Hellgate Venture Network November Meet-up – 11/20 – Missoula Makers Collective

  The Missoula Makers Collective was founded in late 2021 with the purpose of creating community spaces for makers. Markets became that first community space, and since our first market, we’ve have hosted nearly a hundred handmade markets, pop ups, and shopping events.

YOUR CAREER

• University of Montana launches dean search for the College of Education

  The Phyllis J. Washington College of Education is currently conducting a dean search as the current dean, Dan Lee, is stepping down from his position. Lee has been the dean for the College of Education for three years. A new dean taking over means a new direction for the College of Education and has major impacts for education, as the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education is primarily involved in teacher education, curriculum of some classes and funding for education programs that will have new leadership. The new dean will oversee several programs, including the Early Childhood Education program, the…

• Supreme Court Ruling Opens Door for Veterans at University of Montana Law School

  “It allowed me to save my GI Bill, allowing me to go to law school.”

Energy and Transportation

• Did the FAA mandate cancel your flight out of Montana? We checked. 

  Flight reductions at regional hubs are disrupting some Montana airports.

• There is a VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing full-light-transition fixed-wing flying car) in your future.

  He Xiaopeng was careful to distinguish the A868 from typical flying car concepts, describing it as “more like a low-altitude aircraft” given its emphasis on range and practicality. The prototype, which has already entered test flight phase, is explicitly designed for multi-person, intercity air mobility

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

• Torrey Ritter Presents: The Beaver-modified Landscape – 11/10 – University of Montana

  In his talk, Torrey will recount the history of beavers in North America and highlight the immense impacts beavers have on the water and sediment that moves across the landscape. He will also talk about ways in which their activities are essential components of stream and wetland ecosystems.

University of Montana & Montana State University Tech Transfer

• Welcome to the University of Montana Tech Assist Hub

  Whether you are a student, faculty member, or researcher, our hub is here to guide you through the key steps of bringing your innovation to market.

MATR Newsletter Supporters: