FINAL CAPITOL CONNECTION
HAPPENING TODAY! - Wed, May 31 @ 1:30 PM
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2023 LEGISLATIVE WRAP UP
Today's Capitol Connection 2023 Legislative Wrap Up will feature a panel discussion with Todd O’Hair, President & CEO, along with Charles Robison, Government Relations Director of the Montana Chamber of Commerce, and a number of lobbyists representing diverse clients, including Steve Wade of Browning, Kaleczyc, Berry, & Hoven, and Aimee Grmoljez of Crowley Fleck. This will be a live discussion with the opportunity for you to ask questions, much like our weekly Tuesday calls, but with time to dive deeper into our 10 Priority Bills and where they ended up following the adjournment of the session.
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HELP US ADVOCATE FOR YOU! - RESPOND BY JUNE 2
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FILL OUT OUR SHORT SURVEY
We are looking to gather information on your legislative interests and relevant connections. Montana's 68th Legislative Session wrapped up in early May, but we are still working on our Envision2026 pillars and already gearing up for next session.
To be the voice of business, we need to hear from you, our members and ask that as our partners in policy you engage in the legislative process which continues year-round.
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Legislators listen to the opinions of their constituents and lean on those they know so it would be helpful for us to identify some of these existing relationships between our members and legislators so we can leverage them n the interim and during the 69th Legislative Session. |
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2023 GRAND CHAMPION AWARD WINNERS |
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On Monday, May 22, the Montana Chamber Foundation in conjunction with the MSU Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship hosted the first Grand Champion Entrepreneurship Competition. The Prospects Virtual Awards drew 139 submissions from 200 students. In total, more than $75,000 was distributed in cash, prizes, and scholarships. Out of those, 11 teams were selected as the top winners and competed in person for the title of Grand Champion and $5,000! Prizes of $2,500 and $1,000 were given for 2nd and 3rd place in addition to all participants receiving $1,000 scholarship to MSU. Thanks to our underwriters: First Security Bank, Lucky Girl Designs and Thomas' of Butte, MT.
Pictured Above:
- Stephanie Gray, Dean – Gallatin College
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2nd Place – Owen Day, School of Music at the Emporium
- Todd O’Hair – Executive Director, Montana Chamber Foundation
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1st Place – Tyler Power & Tyler Bruursema, Stick Buddy
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3rd Place – Hailey Johnson, Duralane (not pictured)
- Courtney Kibblewhite – Montana Chamber Board Chair
- Dan Miller – Dean, MSU Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship
- Trevor Huffmaster – Executive Director, Blackstone Launchpad at MSU
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RECOGNITION WELL-DESERVED ALISTAIR STEWART, MMEC |
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MSU College of Engineering Employee Recognition Ceremony: On May 5, the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering at MSU presented MMEC Senior Business Advisor Alistair Stewart with the 2023 Professional Employee Award for Excellence for “extraordinary service to the university and the profession.” Thanks to all our colleagues, clients and partners who joined us for this event!
The Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) is a true partner of the Montana Chamber of Commerce and Montana Manufacturing Association. We know first hand how amazing Alistair is and we are grateful for his deep commitment to the sector here in Montana.
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From Montana State University
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Efforts MSU began decades ago have helped transform Bozeman into a thriving center of the photonics industry
by Marshall Swearingen APRIL 26, 2023
Sensors guiding self-driving semitrucks in test runs between Houston and Dallas. A device mounted to aircraft that can precisely map methane leaks in the maze of pipes distributing natural gas to homes and businesses. Tools that plot herbicide-resistant weeds, detect enemy communications and sort recycled plastic.
What all these innovations have in common is photonics — the harnessing of light particles, or photons, in the form of lasers and related technologies. Moreover, all were created by companies in the Gallatin Valley.
“Most people don’t realize that Bozeman-area photonics is having an impact not just locally and in the state but nationally and internationally,” said Jason Yager, president of the Montana Photonics Industry Alliance. “We’re becoming a world leader.”
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Evolution of a vision
From classified research to driverless cars, the MSU Innovation Campus is poised to strengthen the Montana economy and student and faculty experiences
by Jessianne Castle APRIL 27, 2023
In 1959, the same year Alaska and Hawaii became states, carpenters were finishing a large building project on a plot of land west of Montana State College in Bozeman. They were constructing the necessary infrastructure for an experimental dairy center as a part of the college’s modern approach to dairy studies, one of several expansion projects planned for the college under the leadership of President Roland Renne.
Growth and innovation were thematic elements that year, embodied by the very buildings. More than typical agricultural buildings, the new milking parlor with its adjacent stock pavilion included facilities for observation and research.
The milking parlor is now long gone, as is the old MSC moniker, but the pursuit of knowledge remains a core focus for Montana State University. With more than $200 million in research expenditures in the 2022 fiscal year, MSU is the largest research entity in the state. As a result of its burgeoning research capacity, and to further support the application of university research, the site of that former experimental center is now the location of the MSU Innovation Campus.
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Western Governors' Association in Bozeman May 17-18 |
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The 2023 Western Prosperity Roundtable, hosted by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte in Bozeman the week of May 15th convened experts from around the region to discuss strategies for expanding community services and ensuring smart, sustainable development amid rapid growth in the West’s rural communities.
Topics included childcare, telemedicine, affordable housing, workforce development, rebuilding post-disaster resiliency, and federal land management funds. "Each and every day I'm focused on opening doors of greater opportunity for Montanans so they can thrive and prosper and achieve the American Dream," he told the crowd at the AC Hotel. "But there's no question we need to do more."
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CONGRATULATIONS TO PENTA MACHINE CO & CRISAFULLI |
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At the Montana World Trade and Investment Day event in Missoula on May 18, the Montana District Export Council honored SRS Crisafulli, Inc of Glendive with its 2022 Exporter of the Year Award, which recognizes outstanding “contribution to the state’s economic growth and prosperity through the sale of Montana products abroad.” This is the third time that SRS Crisafulli has been selected for this award, having been previously honored in 2017 and 2008.
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THURS, JULY 27, 2023
Flathead Valley Community College | 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Tickets: $100 / pp
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The Montana Chamber Foundation is kicking off the 34th Annual Governors’ Cup Golf Tournament with the Glacier Bank Ace in the Hole Reception & Barbecue. The public is welcome to attend this business development and networking event held at Flathead Valley Community College, to connect with golfers, business leaders, and policy makers. Golfers do not need to register.
Reception and golf tournament sponsorships are selling out quickly. Don’t miss out on promoting your organization at this premier statewide networking event.
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FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Contact Stacye Dorrington, Events & Office Manager
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Thank You to Our Sponsors:
Masters – Fidelity Diagnostics, Logan Health, Montana Bankers Association, Westmoreland
Governors’ Circle – Applied Materials, Blackfoot Communications, BlueCross BlueShield of Montana, Delta Dental, Reach Higher Montana, UBS
Birdie – FAST Enterprises, Montana Department of Commerce
Eagle – Century Gaming, Montana Secretary of State, Republic Services, SMA Architecture + Design
Par – ADF Legal, MERCK, Pinion, Reach Higher Montana, Signal Peak Energy
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Western Skies Strategies Specializes in Executive Management, Government Relations and Strategic Consulting.
Our team applies effective business management skills to guide and grow non-profit associations that are successfully thriving and functioning in the 21st century. From ranchers and range professionals to seed analysts and seed businesses we are fortunate to play an incredible role with board members, committees, members and volunteers.
Part of our work involves our team coordinating private/public partnerships and relationships. From direct interactions with Members of Congress and the Administration to the various Federal Agencies. Each day we are successfully carrying out projects that enhance production agriculture, resource management, small businesses and rural communities.
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MT BUSINESS NEWS & RESOURCES |
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Debt limit deal clears 1st hurdle as McCarthy works to tamp down dissent...Read here.
Gianforte takes veto scalpel to infrastructure bill...Read here.
Is Montana’s pandemic tourism boom over?...Read here.
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THIS BUSINESS BRIEF IS SPONSORED BY |
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