News & Events

Early Stage Montana Names 7 Regional Tech Company Winners for Summer 2019 – Finals 11/7 in Missoula

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Early Stage Montana, a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of the tech ecosystem in Montana, is pleased to announce the winners of three Regional Showcase Competitions held early this month in Missoula, Bozeman, and Billings. Dozens of entrepreneurs from around the state submitted applications for the competitions, and each business was assigned a score by a group of experienced judges. Seventeen of the highest scoring companies were chosen to present their business plans in front of an audience, and to a panel of judges who scored them on dimensions such as the size of the opportunity, the qualit...

Grant will help UM build rural businesses across the state

Sunday, May 12, 2019

A recently awarded UM grant will help create a new center for developing businesses in rural areas of Montana. This new center, called the University of Montana Center for Rural Economic Development (UMCRED) will work toward the same goals as Accelerate Montana, a group that helps businesses and entrepreneurs. The $730,000 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration will allow the group to reach more rural areas. Read full article.

Missoula tourism and marketing company, TOMIS, looks to expand, add jobs

Saturday, May 11, 2019

(MTHTBA) Volunteers for the nonprofit Clark Fork Coalition often find themselves in the mud, fishing out litter from the river’s banks or restoring riparian areas. But on February 20, 17 employees from digital marketing and software-as-a-service company, TOMIS, armed with laptops instead of waders, crowded into conference rooms, stood at counters and tucked into corners of CFC’s Missoula office to tackle a different issue: digital marketing strategies. Read full article.

GSK invests $100 million to expand long-term vaccine manufacturing capabilities in Hamilton, MT

Friday, May 10, 2019

- Site expansion will boost vaccine production capacity - Creating new temporary construction and contracting jobs; and new permanent GSK positions PHILADELPHIA -- GSK announced $100 million of new investment in its manufacturing site in Hamilton, Montana to expand the production capacity of key components of the adjuvant system used in several of GSK's vaccines, including SHINGRIX, which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in October 2017. For more than 20 years, GSK has been innovating in adjuvant systems and has developed vaccines to help prevent malaria and shingles that utilize adjuvant systems to help achieve a stronger immune response. Read full article.

From ‘Random Thought’ to Reality, Ruby Valley Brew Thrives in Sheridan

Thursday, May 09, 2019

Ruby Valley Brew is where love of beer and community intersect. After relocating from Ohio to the Ruby Valley, Amanda LaYacona and her husband drove through the small community of Sheridan, Montana, in search of a home to buy. Unexpectedly, she found herself interested in a commercial property too—a quaint building on Main Street. Read full article.

Economic Development Creates Opportunity, Prosperity in Montana

Wednesday, May 08, 2019

Economic Development Week is a time to reflect on the many successes of public-private partnerships to grow businesses, create jobs and strengthen the economy. This year, Montana has something extra to celebrate with the bipartisan passage of House Bill 52. HB 52 reauthorizes Montana’s suite of integrated economic development programs until 2027 — tools like Certified Regional Development Corporations, Small Business Development Centers, the export trade program at the Department of Commerce, Growth Through Agriculture at the Department of Agriculture and others. Read full article.

Guest view: Montana strengthens its tourism economy

Tuesday, May 07, 2019

Tourism, a leading industry in Montana, does not grow by accident. Over time, as Montana’s economy has diversified to support a growing visitor economy, several critical milestones were first achieved. In 1987, Montana implemented a 4% lodging tax with proceeds statutorily directed to marketing promotion at the state, regional and local level along with supporting tourism assets such as Montana State Parks and the Historical Society. Read full article.

5 Incredibly Inspiring TED Talks Every Female Entrepreneur Should Watch

Monday, May 06, 2019

These recognizable--and relatable!--women icons share stories that will inspire you to make changes at every phase of your career. The business world may be working toward equality for men and women, but we're not quite there yet. One of the most powerful ways to achieve your career ambitions is to listen and learn from the incredible female leaders who have paved the way before us. From Shonda Rhimes to Sheryl Sandberg, these TED Talk speakers are full of real world wisdom that will help you feel inspired--and take action--through every phase of your career. Read full article.

$500,000 award to Missoula’s MonTEC a big boost for state’s bioscience industry

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

While Missoula is home to a growing number of startups rooted in the biosiences, a new contract awarded by the U.S. Small Business Administration looks to unite state partners and grow the industry to its full potential. The Montana Technology Enterprise Center, otherwise known as MonTEC, announced the $500,000 annual award on Tuesday. The business incubator, located in Missoula, was one of just seven across the U.S. to receive the grant, earning it accolades from state and community partners. Read full article.

The Rise of Remote Workers in Montana

Monday, April 15, 2019

More people across the country are working remotely, a trend that is especially pronounced in Montana. Read full article.

Butte businesses share their stories at annual event celebrating Small Business Development Centers

Friday, April 12, 2019

Government leaders and economic-development advocates from around the state gathered in Butte to celebrate a Montana-made event: national SBDC Day. Now in its third year, the event celebrates the impact of Small Business Development Centers across the country. A partnership program of the Small Business Administration, the network is made up of organizations that are focused on supporting small businesses. Montana’s SBDC network is 30 years old and is credited with creating the national campaign, a fact that did not go unrecognized by the day’s speakers. Read full article.

Pekin Noodle Parlor

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

The oldest continuously-operating Chinese restaurant in the United States has been in business since 1911. According to the U.S. Census, Chinese communities accounted for nearly 10 percent of the then-territory of Montana’s population in 1870. Those figures have since dwindled, but a brick building in the town of Butte’s shrunken Chinatown neighborhood hides a landmark of the nation’s Asian immigration history. Pekin Noodle Parlor, the oldest continuously-operating Chinese restaurant in the United States, is unassuming, its flickering neon sign above the door a feeble indicator of its cultural significance. A narrow flight of stairs leads up to the vintage interiors of the Parlor, whos...

High tech business continues to boom in Montana

Monday, April 08, 2019

BOZEMAN – The Montana High Tech Business Alliance reported the state’s high-tech companies generated more than $2 billion in revenue in 2018. Many of those businesses are found in Bozeman and have cropped up as the area’s rapid growth continues. Read full article.

Bozeman, Montana Ranked #5 ‘Most Dynamic Micropolitan’

Friday, April 05, 2019

A recent report by the Walton Family Foundation ranks Bozeman, Montana as one of the top micropolitan areas in the United States. Bozeman solidified its number five spot on a list of 531 because of its world-class access to outdoor recreation, tourism opportunities, and high-tech industry growth. Read full article.

MEDA’s Spring Conference to Focus on Perfecting Public and Private Partnerships

Friday, April 05, 2019

Economic development leaders will be gathering at MEDA’s Spring Conference for a two-day session focused on perfecting public and private partnerships. With acclaimed speakers, tips and strategies, networking, tours, meetings and a field trip, the conference will empower economic developers and community leaders to make a greater impact in their communities. The MEDA Spring Conference will be held on May 21st and 22nd in Glendive, Montana. For the agenda, click here. During the meeting, MEDA members will benefit from professional development training. This will include a review of case studies, Montana programs and available partnerships, along with how to leverage available resources...

MEDA April 2019 News

Saturday, March 30, 2019

MEDA April 2019 News - Register for the Spring Conference!

Girls Go CyberStart – Montana high school girls encouraged to learn cybersecurity skills to bridge employment gap

Friday, March 29, 2019

The demand for lucrative cybersecurity jobs is rising rapidly, but experts in the field say they’re having a hard time finding people to fill them. In fact, a 2017 report shows more than 300,000 open cybersecurity jobs in America. There’s also a severe lack of women in cybersecurity. Data from 2017 shows women make up just 11 percent of the workforce. Read full article.

UM gets $730K federal grant to boost rural, tribal economic development

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Montana's rural and tribal areas struggle to grow their economies at the same pace as urban areas, with federal data showing just five counties accounting for three-quarters of the state's job growth for the first 16 years of this century. In an effort to combat that problem, the University of Montana has recently been awarded a $730,000 federal grant to fund efforts to boost economic development in the state's less-populated areas. The five-year grant comes from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s 2018 University Center Economic Development Program. The money will be used to fund efforts to help distressed rural and tribal communities develo...

Montana Student Entrepreneurs Impress at John Ruffatto Business Plan Competition – It’s about ants….

Friday, March 15, 2019

The University of Montana hosted its annual John Ruffatto Business Startup Challenge on March 8 for an enthusiastic crowd in the Music Recital Hall. The business competition, presented by UM’s Blackstone LaunchPad and College of Business, featured a dozen contestants chosen from 25 applicants, all competing for cash prizes totaling $50,000. Read full article.

Big Sandy Organics looks to go nation - and world - wide

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

A locally owned and operated business that started five years ago is nearly doubling its workforce and looking to start selling products all across the world. "Should be a hopefully busy year," Big Sandy Organics General Manager Thomas Dilworth said. "(It's) been about two years getting to this place and we're hoping that this is the year that it kind of breaks free." A press release said that Chouteau County will receive a grant from the Department of Commerce Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund on behalf of Big Sandy Organics LLC. This grant will reimburse Big Sandy Organics up to $22,500 fo...

Report shows nearly all Montana businesses considered "small"

Monday, March 11, 2019

MISSOULA, Mont. — According to the U.S. Small Business Administration ninety-nine percent of businesses in Montana were considered small businesses in 2018. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) helped open fifty-eight businesses across the country last year. Montana ranked number one in the country for the number of workers employed by small businesses in 2018 according to SBDC’s 2018 report. Read full article.

4 Workplace Trends Every Small Business Should Know About for 2019

Wednesday, March 06, 2019

By staying ahead of workforce and technological trends, small businesses will be in a better position to thrive in 2019. Many small-business owners are likely wondering what to expect in 2019. After all, spotting or failing to recognize an important trend can be the difference between a banner year and one we'd rather forget. Many of us are wondering, for example, how the U.S. economy will impact business. Will hiring finally ease up? How will younger generations change our workforce? Without a crystal ball, it's tough to answer every question. But, given trends we saw this last year (2018), it is possible t...

Commerce Announces Nearly $830,000 in Grants for Tourism and Recreation Infrastructure and Marketing Projects

Monday, March 04, 2019

HELENA, Mont. – The Department of Commerce announced 26 of Montana’s vibrant and charming towns will receive grants to help them attract visitors to their communities. In 2017, visitors from out of state added $3.4 billion to Montana’s economy. Funds totaling $829,644 will be awarded through the Tourism Grant Program at the Department of Commerce, Office of Tourism and Business Development. Read full article.

Montana Small Business Development Centers Celebrate 30 Years

Friday, March 01, 2019

HELENA, Mont. – Montana’s network of Small Business Development Centers will celebrate three decades of assisting nearly 6,500 businesses, more than 29,000 entrepreneurs and the 244,000 hard-working Montanans small businesses employ. Read full article.

MEDA MARCH 2019 News

Thursday, February 28, 2019

MEDA March News - including spring conference agenda and registration!

Grants Awarded to Support 28 Native American-Owned Small Businesses

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

HELENA, Mont. – The Department of Commerce announced $320,000 in grant funds will be awarded through the Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant to support the growth of 28 Native American-owned businesses across Montana. “The entrepreneurial spirit is strong in Indian Country,” said Jenny Pelej, division administrator for the Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development at Commerce. “As Native American small business owners look toward growth, Commerce is here to help them take the next step.” Read full article.

Commerce Awards Funding to 3 Montana Communities to Develop New Affordable Housing

Monday, February 25, 2019

Three Montana communities will receive grants through the Montana Department of Commerce’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program to assist with the development of affordable housing. Read full article.

Montana Ag Network: The Montana-Mexico barley connection

Friday, February 22, 2019

GREAT FALLS – Despite recent trade tariffs and tensions along the Mexican border, Montana barley growers got a bit of a morale boost recently. Gov. Steve Bullock recently sat down with executives from the Mexican Craft Brewers Association to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to promote continued collaboration between the group and Montana’s barley growers. Read full article.

MEDA 2019 February News

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Catch up on MEDA News!

MEDA January 2019 News

Tuesday, January 01, 2019

Here we go: 2019! MEDA January News

MEDA December 2018 News

Sunday, December 02, 2018

December News is packed with Legislative Info...and more!

MEDA November 2018 News

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

MEDA November 2018 News