JANUARY 4, 2023
2023 CAPITOL CONNECTION ROUNDTABLE
TUES, JAN 3 - Day 2: Montana's 68th Legislative Session
Thank You to All Who Joined Us!
JOIN US - VIRTUALLY: Every Tuesday at 12 noon throughout the 68th Legislative Session for a brief discussion of the week ahead, strategy on the Chamber's nine priority bills, and support for / defense against others' bills.
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU: TITLE 37 REFORM
FRI, JAN 13 @12 NOON - A Discussion with the DLI
JOIN US - VIRTUALLY
On Friday, January 13 at 12:00 noon we will host Eric Schultz and Dave Cook with the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) for a listening session on the proposed Title 37 Reform as a part of the Governor's Red Tape Reform Initiative. The list of bills is long and confusing so get an explanation of the reforms and an opportunity for Q&A with staff.
SIGN UP TO BE A JUDGE

Members of the business community are the primary judges for the Montana Chamber Foundation's "The Prospects" statewide virtual entrepreneurial pitch competition for high school and middle school students with $75,000 in cash prizes and scholarships. Judging is a great way to see the ideas and talent of our future workforce. It is also an opportunity for students to connect with potential employers.

TO BECOME A JUDGE, contact one of our Workforce Strategists:

Tiana Yates

NEW THIS YEAR: The Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship at Montana State University will sponsor The Prospects in Person Grand Champion Competition where Grand Champions will have the opportunity to compete in person in Bozeman in May for $5,000. 
BBER'S 2023 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK SERIES (EOS)
Begins TUES, JAN 24 in Great Falls
The Future of Montana:
What the New Wave of In-Migration Means for the State

What does the future hold for the Montana economy? That perennial question takes on a special significance in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that sent plenty of folks from congested urban areas around the country to live in places like Montana and other Mountain West states.

For those on the move, the promise of keeping their jobs in the big city while enjoying the lifestyle and space of the West has had a powerful appeal. And their arrival is sure to be felt in everything from housing markets to the political landscape. Join us as we focus on how these powerful new trends will reshape economic growth.

EOS 2023 runs from 8am–1pm and will visit NINE CITIES across Montana
This half-day seminar highlights the latest economic trends for local economies and Montana with special focus on the new wave of in-migration and what it means for the state.
STUDYING MONTANA'S CAPITAL AVAILABILITY
ARE YOU FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO ACCESS CAPITOL
TO START OR GROW YOUR BUSINESS?

We understand accessing funding to start or grow your business can be challenging here in Montana. Accelerate Montana at the University of Montana has partnered with the BBER, Catalyze Global Impact, and a handful of other organizations to run a study to gather the feedback and perspective of current and aspiring Montana business owners on their experiences attempting to access funding for their businesses.
 
By completing this survey, you will help identify solutions to expand access to finance for Montana’s businesses and have a chance to win 1 of 10 $100 gift cards. 

The questions should only take you a few minutes and your responses are voluntary and will be kept confidential. The study team can be reached at 406-243-6737 or at janet.stevens@umontana.edu should you have any questions or wish to learn more.
THANK YOU 2023 BUSINESS DAYS &
LAWMAKER APPRECIATION RECEPTION SPONSORS!
Lawmaker Appreciation Reception: Navajo Transitional Energy

Hospitality: Healthy is Wellness

Platinum: Applied Materials, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana; First Interstate Bank; Montana Department of Commerce; Montana State Fund; Montana State University; New Horizons Studio; NorthWestern Energy; Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education; Republic Services; Stockman Bank; University of Montana; and Valley Bank of Helena

Gold: Allegiance; Atlantic Richfield Company; Blackfoot Communications; Boeing; Charter Communications; Fidelity Diagnostics Laboratory; PacificSource Health Plans; and The Washington Companies

Silver: Crowley Fleck; Montana's Credit Unions; and University of Washington WWAMI

Bronze: Amazon; Billings Clinic; Enbridge; Montana Secretary of State, Montana Travel Association; PayneWest Insurance; and Reach Higher Montana

Copper: ALPS, Consumer Energy Alliance; Leadership Montana; Midland Claims Service, Inc. and Industrial Injury Claims®; Montana Bankers Association; Montana Hospital Association; Montana Hydraulics; Mountain Health Co-op; Pinion; and Silverthorn Renewables

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Accelerate Montana offers a broad range of programs to benefit businesses and individuals alike - regardless of where you live or work in Montana. In order to meet our mission of accelerating economic potential, we have assembled teams who can support, guide, and consult with you on your business or help guide you in your career.

Through the broad range of our programs, we strive to help build business capacity and support Montana's economic development. Members of our team are expert at guiding entrepreneurs through the start-up of a business: from launch phase to its early stages as a young company. And, our network of peers allows us to help regardless of where those entrepreneurs live in our state. 
MONTANA BUSINESS NEWS
Governor Gianforte Shares Priorities to Further Improve State's Business Climate...READ HERE

Montana Sees Record Business Growth in 2022...READ HERE

Gianforte Announces Board Appointments to Handful of Statewide Commissions...READ HERE

Montana continues trend of high population growth...READ HERE
THIS BUSINESS BRIEF IS SPONSORED BY