Montana - Good for Business » business

The First Step to Fixing a Problem is to Admit you have a Problem

Admin - Rick — Wed, 12 May 2010 22:53:12 +0000

Today the Missoulian reported about research into the state of the economic development climate in Missoula. This is a brutally honest report on trying to start a business in Missoula. It states that Missoula is “woefully deficient, dysfunctional, ineffective and without direction or leadership” . Those are harsh words describing an outsider’s view. Mayor Engen is credited with commissioning the research and it is impressive that the researchers actually took a logical approach and then their findings were publicly reported.

The group getting the most criticism was Missoula Area Economic Development Corp, the group most responsible for promoting the Missoula economy and getting paid to do this. Of course their statement is that they are underfunded and understaffed for the project. Whether they under supported or just incompetent will be up to the people and leaders of Missoula to decide. It is a major step forward to admit there is a problem.

Missoulian Article: Economic development experts say Missoula efforts deficient, need reorganization

Simple Tags: business, economy, Mayor Engen

Interesting Montana Stories

Admin - Rick — Wed, 12 May 2010 21:22:16 +0000

Butte:
Butte employers report improved business climate

Missoula:
Hellgate students win award with ball-kicking robot Mr. T

Simple Tags: business, competition, Hellgate, Montana, robot

Montana Cooperative Development Center Receives Government Funding

Admin - Rick — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:53:45 +0000

A Great Falls-based nonprofit that provides technical assistance to cooperatives was awarded a $200,000 grant Tuesday from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The grant to Montana Cooperative Development Center, Inc., was part of approximately $4.8 million in grants announced by Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. Keep Reading Article

By Tribune Staff • September 16, 2009
Publisher: Great Falls Tribune

Simple Tags: business, cooperative development, creating wealth, food initiative, grant, great falls, mcdc, Montana, montana cooperative, rural communities, sustainable manner

A Bozeman’s Couple’s Simple Idea Hits the NFL

Admin - Rick — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:54:06 +0000

Who says there are no more simple profitable ideas.

Bozeman couple’s ice boot scores with NFL teams

By GAIL SCHONTZLER Chronicle Staff Writer

Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest.

A Bozeman couple has invented a neat solution to a problem faced by millions of athletes n how to hold ice on an injured ankle or foot in a way that allows the athlete to get up and move around, but doesn’t cause a mess when the ice melts.

Because of those added conveniences, the ice boot Debbie and Warren Morris invented also helps injuries heal faster than the conventional ice pack and Ace bandage. The Rest of the Story

Simple Tags: ankle, athlete, Bozeman, business, invention, Montana, NFL, profitable ideas

Missoula Business having Success

Admin - Rick — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:00:42 +0000

Customizing Airstreams a busy Missoula business

Source: www.missoulian.com

Rory Burmeister sits atop an Airstream that he and his crew are in the process of restoring at his Missoula shop. For the past year, Burmeister has made a full-time job of finding old Airstreams and restoring them for resale. KURT WILSON/Missoulian

Simple Tags: airstream, business, business source, Customizing, kurt wilson, Missoula