A Word from Tim VanReken - Interim Executive Director and Regional Innovation Officer, Headwaters Tech Hub
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It’s an exciting time for Montana, and for our tech sector especially. Last October, the Headwaters Tech Hub (HTH) was selected over some very tough competition to be designated as one of 31 Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
The program was established through the landmark bipartisan 2022 CHIPS and Science legislation aimed at keeping the US at the leading edge of advanced technology development and manufacturing. The HTH will do exactly that – building on Montana’s existing strength in smart optical sensing technologies and expanding our capabilities into autonomous systems, national defense, precision agriculture, and critical resource management
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I couldn’t be more thrilled to be leading this effort as the interim Executive Director and Regional Innovation Officer for the Headwaters Tech Hub. I appreciate the trust that the HTH Steering Committee has placed in me to get our fantastic team over the finish line. We have a big team of really smart folks coming from industry, government, academia and more. We’re fortunate to have no shortage of good ideas, so my job basically comes down to connecting the dots, helping turn the ideas into concrete plans, and making sure those plans combine to achieve a vision that aligns with the EDA’s goals for the Tech Hub program. |
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Do You Own PROPERTY in Montana? |
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The Montana Chamber needs your help in an important legal battle that is on its way to the Montana Supreme Court. The lawsuit stems from several reforms the Montana Legislature passed last year—some of the most comprehensive and ambitious housing reforms in America.
Those reforms, meant to combat the state’s housing affordability crisis, would empower Montanans to use their existing properties to add valuable units to the state’s housing stock. Among other things, the reforms would allow property owners to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on all single-family lots statewide. Additionally, in cities with more than 5,000 residents, property owners would be able to build duplexes in single-family zones and multifamily housing in commercial zones.
The new lawsuit targets SB 382 as well as three zoning bills.
- Senate Bill 245, which allows apartment-style housing in most areas set aside as commercial zones in cities of 7,000 residents or more.
- Senate Bill 323, which allows duplex housing on any home lot in cities with 5,000 residents or more.
- Senate Bill 528, which eases the regulatory process for accessory dwelling units, or secondary housing structures that share parcels with larger homes.
But those reforms are now under attack in the courts. And just before the new year, a judge halted their implementation before they could even take effect.
The Institute for Justice, a national non-profit law firm that defends property rights nationwide, would like to partner with Montana property owners and enter the case to defend the reforms. If you are a property owner who would like the opportunity to develop your property in response to the new laws, the Institute for Justice wants to hear from you.
Please contact them directly using the information below:
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AN INVITATION: Monthly Zoom Call with President/CEO, Todd O'Hair
ATTAINABLE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS DISCUSSION
Thursday, February 8, 2024
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Join Todd O'Hair, Co-Chair of the Governor's Housing Task Force, on a monthly Zoom aimed at fostering collaboration among business leaders with a vested interest in housing-related matters. If you are passionate about making a positive impact in the realm of housing and are eager to contribute to our mission, please reach out to Todd O'Hair at Todd@montanachamber.com and he will provide you with the details for the upcoming Zoom on Thursday, February 8th at 10:00 a.m.
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Take the 7-Minute General Business Survey |
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Businesses today face a multitude of challenges. To help understand these challenges, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis is conducting a survey of businesses across Ninth District states (MN, MT, ND, SD, WI, UP/MI).
Please take this 7-minute survey to help them understand the impact the economy is having on your business. All responses are anonymous. Results will be shared with partners and the general public once the survey is closed.
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Thinking about running for office?
Candidate Filing is open
To date, more than 225 candidates have filed with the Montana Secretary of State's Office to run for public office.
As a reminder, candidate filing closes on March 11th at 5 p.m.
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BBER 2024 EOS: Happing TODAY in Bozeman |
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The Bureau of Business and Economic Research's 2024 Economic Outlook Summit is mid-way through its 9-city statewide tour having been in Helena, Great Falls, Missoula, and Billings.
This week, EOS is in Bozeman, Butte, and Kalispell, before heading to Lewiston, and finally Havre next week.
Are you signed up?
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Montana Chamber Signature Events: |
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SAVE THE DATE: 2025 Business Days at the Capitol
January 8-9 at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Helena Colonial
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Recordings of the full agenda from the 2024 Business Days are available to view here.
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WED-FRI, MARCH 6-8, 2024
AC Hotel Bozeman Downtown | Kimpton Armory Hotel
Bozeman, MT
Lodging $179 / night
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ADDITIONAL KEYNOTE SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED |
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Join us as Chef Allison takes the stage where her story of passion, resilience, and community impact will undoubtedly leave you inspired and craving for more in her presentation, “Just Say YES.”
Allison Fasano is not just a chef; she is a culinary maestro, a trailblazer, and an unstoppable force in the world of gastronomy. Television audiences across the nation have witnessed Allison's culinary prowess on shows like "Beat Bobby Flay," "Chopped," and "Restaurant Hunters." She emerged victorious on an episode of Food Network's "Supermarket Stakeout," proving that her skills are as sharp as her knives.
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Beyond the kitchen, she's a relentless advocate for her community and women, raising $30,000 to support women-owned restaurants and provide continued education for aspiring young chefs.
Currently donning the title of Executive Chef and Owner of Est. 1864 in downtown Bozeman, Allison continues to redefine culinary excellence.
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Mary Flor
Sales Consultant, SPEAKER and Master Facilitator
Master Connection Associates (MCA)
Mary embarked on her illustrious career in the realm of luxury hotels and resorts following her graduation from San Diego State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management. A trailblazer from the outset, Mary played an integral role in the opening teams of esteemed establishments such as the Resort at Pelican Hill and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Las Vegas. It was during these formative experiences that Mary's fervor for training and development blossomed, as she meticulously crafted and delivered materials aimed at elevating sales metrics and guest satisfaction scores.
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Register today, book your room, and pack your bags. Let's blaze new trails together!
ALLIES are always welcome!
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RURAL & INDIGENOUS WOMEN'S SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Thanks to the generosity of Two Bear Capital, we are offering (5) scholarships to Rural and Indigenous women in business who wish to attend the event. This includes mileage reimbursement, (2) nights lodging and the full conference registration.
DUE DATE: February 15, 2024
All applicants will be notified of the scholarships awarded. Afterwards, we will ask for a quote from your participation at the Summit.
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EARLY BIRD PRICING ends TODAY, Friday, February 2, 2024
Full Conference Registration (includes IWD Power Lunch): $395 / per person
IWD Power Lunch ONLY Ticket on Friday, March 8th: $150 / per person
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Thank You to Our 2024 Sponsors
Event Partners: AC Hotel Bozeman Downtown and Kimpton Armory Hotel
Founding: AccelerateMT, Bozeman Hotels & Motels, First Interstate Bank JPMorgan Chase & Co., Northern Broadcasting System, Par Montana, Sibanye Stillwater, and Toyota of Bozeman
Rural / Indigenous Women's Scholarships: Two Bear Capital
Opening Welcome Reception: Mountain Health Co-Op
Hospitality: Intrepid Credit Union
Underwriting: Alpine Physical Therapy, Charles Schwab, and Clear Skies Strategic Communications
Contributing: Big Sky Staffing, Billings Clinic Bozeman, Blackfoot Communications, BlueCross Blue Shield, First Security Bank, McKenna Adams Commercial Realty, Northwestern Energy, PacificSource, University of Montana, Wipfli, Women's Foundation of Montana, and Zero to Five
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FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Contact Candace Carr Strauss, VP, Marketing & Communications at Candace@MontanaChamber.com | 406.640.1331
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Montana Chamber Member Spotlight: |
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Our Mission
The Montana Photonics Industry Alliance serves as a hub for Montana’s optics, photonics, and quantum companies, entrepreneurs, laboratories, and universities to commercialize, grow and sustain globally leading organizations that create high quality jobs and economic opportunity in Montana.
We:
- Support initiatives designed to start, grow and attract new optics, photonics, and quantum companies to Montana;
- Promote optics, photonics, and quantum job opportunities in Montana to attract top quality professionals to the state;
- Support efforts to build the state’s optics, photonics, and quantum technology research base;
- Exchange information about common issues and opportunities;
- Pool resources to support joint training, research and development and business development projects that advance the competitiveness of Montana optics, photonics, and quantum companies;
- Educate the public and students about optics, photonics, and quantum career opportunities;
- Serve as an interface between Montana optics, photonics, and quantum companies and state educational institutions; and
- Serve as the interface between Montana optics, photonics, and quantum companies and state government
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"This opportunity comes at a pivotal moment with the establishment of the EDA Montana Headwaters Tech Hub, reflecting the significant progress within our regional photonics and quantum sectors," said Yager. "Having witnessed and contributed to our community's development over the past three decades, I am excited to lead the MPQA as we embrace the future's promise."
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HR Spotlight
Romance & Work: How Do You Navigate These Relationships in the Workplace
Written by: Bethany Williamson, HR Business Partner
Workplace romance is very common, we spend a lot of our time at work and we often work with people who have the same values and goals, romance is bound to happen! So how do we keep these relationships from devolving into problems for employers in light of the #MeToo movement and other harassment issues?
First, do not try and ban these relationships, that will only push them into secrecy. If these relationships are happening, you want to know. Best practice is to have a workplace relationship policy that says supervisors/managers cannot have romantic relationships with subordinates under any circumstance. The danger here is the perception of coercion or force by the manager/supervisor. The subordinate may think they must say yes because the person asking has power over their job. Enforcing this kind of policy keeps your workplace safe and makes it a place where reporting this kind of behavior is encouraged.
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This Business Brief Is Sponsored by Our Treasure State Member: |
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To learn more about Treasure State Membership benefits for your business, contact Matt Olson, Director of Network Development at Matthew@montanachamber.com | 406.360.6443
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