TUNE IN: Listen to this week's episode of "Venture Boldly" by the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce |
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in this week's Venture Boldly podcast produced by the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, Todd O'Hair, our President and CEO discusses the forces fueling Montana's economic engine and the Chamber's pivotal role in shaping a robust economic landscape through its Envision 2026 strategic plan.
Topics include:
- workforce development
- the housing crisis
- childcare
- strategic growth with the Headwaters Tech Hub
- the need for Bipartisanship in an election year
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Montana Women in Business Summit and
International Women's Day (March 8)
Host 240 trailblazing women from across Montana
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First-ever Montana Chamber Blazing Trails: Montana Women in Business Summit was a BIG success. Thanks to our 2024 Honorary Chair, Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras and to the Summit Committee for all their hard work on the event.
- 2 1/2 Days
- 35 Speakers
- 31 Sponsors
- 5 Raffle prize contributors
- 240 Attendees
- $$$ to support childcare policy initiatives in the 2025 Legislature
Watch for recordings of sessions coming soon.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED
To be considered to speak at the 2025 MT WIB Summit or to learn more about sponsorship, contact: Candace Strauss, VP, Marketing & Communications at [email protected].
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Candidate Filing Closed (March 11) for 2024 Elections |
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The Montana Secretary of State’s Office processed nearly 450 candidate filings between January 11 and March 11, the deadline for political candidates to formalize their runs for office with more than 50 of those coming on the final day. More than 300 filings were processed for seats in the Montana legislature, which will next convene in January 2025.
Montana electors will cast votes for a variety of races in 2024, including statewide offices, congressional offices, and within their legislative districts.
“As the 2024 elections draw near, I encourage eligible Montana voters to confirm their registration information is accurate and up to date. Let’s get vote ready today, Montana,” said Secretary Jacobsen.
Results for candidates filing with the Secretary of State’s Office can be found on the 2024 Candidate Filings website. Local candidates file with the county election office.
The 2024 Business Days at the Capitol SOLD OUT. SAVE THE DATE: January 8-9, 2025. Be sure to get your tickets early you won't want to miss out on the power networking event of the year with all the newly elected officials. For sponsorship information, contact Stacye Dorrington at [email protected].
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MONTANA EMPLOYERS: Take this workforce survey |
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The Montana Work-based Learning Collaborative, of which the Montana Chamber Foundation is a member, is conducting a survey to learn employers’ satisfaction with workforce recruitment, readiness, and retention, as well as their experiences with work-based learning. The information will inform the work of the Collaborative, program builders, and decision-makers across the state to improve workforce supports, work-based learning, and education opportunities so that young people are better prepared for employment success and employers gain skilled workers.
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Montana Chamber Foundation "The Prospects" Award-Winning company looking to expand; Needs capital |
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Jacob Reisig was the recipient of the President’s Hustle Award in the Montana Chamber Foundation's 2022 Prospects competition.
My name is Jacob Reisig, and I am the owner of Reisig Brothers Custom Hay Company. I’m a senior at Fergus High School in Lewistown MT. I started the company when I was in 7th grade with maybe 300-350 acres of land and now I cover around 1,000 acres. This year I am expanding the company even further by getting into cutting silage. To expand, I need to purchase a new swather.
The swather is $80,000. I have worked with banks and lenders in my town as well as looked at government programs and the lowest interest rate I can get is 7.25%. If possible, I would like to find somewhere I could get a lower interest rate.
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If you have any thoughts or would like to learn more about Jacob's business, please contact Tiana Yates, Workforce Development Specialist with the Montana Chamber Foundation at [email protected] and she will connect you to Jacob.
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CALL FOR JUDGES for The Prospects 2024 Competition
Judging Starts Monday, March 18th
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The Prospects encompasses a virtual statewide entrepreneurship competition with scholarships and cash prizes for high school and middle school students with new ideas and existing small businesses. |
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We are well on our way to 200 submissions this year and have already surpassed previous years' numbers.
WE NEED JUDGES: Judges will be requested to virtually judge a minimum of 6 submissions. The total time commitment is less than 2 hours. If you are interested in being a judge, please contact Tiana Yates, Workforce Development Specialist at [email protected].
This competition is designed to find, celebrate and reward promising students by providing them with opportunities to show off their entrepreneurial mindset and ability to solve problems for the real world. Montana Chamber Foundation is connecting students and businesses leaders from around the state.
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EXECUTIVE BRIEFING: March 20th at 11:00 a.m.
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PHOTONICS, WORKFORCE, AND TESTBEDS |
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Please join Executive Director and Regional Innovation Officer Tim VanReken, and many more Headwaters Tech Hub (HTH) leaders and consortium members for a virtual presentation on the Phase II application submitted in late February 2024.
We will be discussing the overall HTH strategy, component projects and opportunities to collaborate with this exciting, innovative network preparing for rapid growth of this industry.
This webinar will be recorded and shared for review after the event.
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For more information, please visit the HTH website here.
Contact: Tim VanReken, Executive Director and Regional Innovation Officer
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Montana Chamber Signature Events: |
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SAVE THE DATE: National Travel & Tourism Week, May 19-25
2nd Annual CONVERGENCE - Tues/Wed, May 21-22
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To recognize one of our state's leading industries, the Montana Chamber of Commerce will once again celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week (#NTTW), and tourism's intersection with the film and outdoor recreation industries as vehicles to harness the power of place, #TheLastBestPlace, as an economic driver at the 2nd Annual Convergence event on Tuesday-Wednesday, May 21-22, 2024.
Tourism is the leading service export for the Treasure State. In 2021, Montana played host to 12.5 million non-resident visitors who spent $5.15B. This contributed $387 million in state and local taxes according to the UM Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, which supported approximately 47,800 jobs, the study estimates, a figure associated with $1.3B in direct labor income.
At the 2023 Inaugural Convergence, we honored the resilience of the Greater Yellowstone and its Gateway Communities following the 500-year historic flooding event in early June 2022. This year, we turn our attention to Butte, America, the city that electrified the nation turned premiere film location for the “Yellowstone” franchise, “1923” and more as we gear up for the 2025 Legislative Session and another go at increasing the Montana Film Tax credit. So join us in Butte as we get ready to kick off the 2023 summer tourism season.
To learn more, contact Candace Strauss, VP Marketing & Communications at [email protected].
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Montana Chamber Member Spotlight: |
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In 2003, A2Z Staffing Solutions was established in Helena, Montana, to better serve both the local community and those looking to relocate to Montana. With more and more people moving to the Treasure State and longtime locals seeking a change in work, they saw a need for better connections to job opportunities in Montana and nationwide. In 2017, they expanded their reach to Bozeman, Montana, with the formation of our sister firm, Adroit Employment Resources. We’re proud to have served Montana for nearly 20 years, helping the local and national economy move forward by fostering a successful workforce.
"OUR MISSION IS TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE WORKFORCE PIPELINE AND HELP PEOPLE TO BRING THEIR BEST WORK INTO EACH COMMUNITY WE LIVE AND OPERATE IN."
To learn more, visit their website here.
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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 [email protected] | 406.360.6443
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