CEO Guide to Site Selection

Montana

BIG SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR TECH

According to a recent survey by the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research, Montana’s high-tech companies overcame and even benefited from the dynamics of a pandemic recovery in 2020. This helped the state generate more than $2.9 billion in revenues with growth rates up to seven times faster than the overall state economy. Montana’s high-tech industry now employs more than 15,772 workers with an average salary of $73,100, according to the Montana High Tech Business Alliance.

“Montana is in the midst of a historic economic recovery. We’ve recovered all jobs lost since the start of the pandemic, and more Montanans are working now than in our state’s history…As we lead the Montana comeback, we’ll continue making Montana more competitive with lower taxes and less red tape, so folks throughout our state can prosper and have access to greater opportunities.”
Greg Gianforte
Governor

TAXES

0 %

top corporate income tax

# 0

on the Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index ranking

EDUCATION

0 %

of adults 25 years of age and older graduated high school

0 %

of adults age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

0 %

RIGHT TO WORK STATE

No

QUALITY OF LIFE

# 0

POPULATION GROWTH

0 %

increase between 2010 and 2020

KEY INCENTIVES

New or Expanding Industry Tax Abatement: Offers a tax abatement of up to 75% for the first five years of operation to businesses that earn half or more of their annual gross income from out-of-state sales.

New Markets Tax Credit: Offers credits that can be used or sold for projects that have at least a $4 million investment.

Primary Sector Workforce Training Grant: Offers up to $5,000 for training expenses per eligible job created.

Big Sky Trust Fund: Offers incentives of up to $7,500 per job for job for land, equipment, rehabilitation costs and employee training for projects in high-poverty areas.

EDCs

Governor’s Office of Economic Development

business.mt.gov

Montana Business Assistance Connection

mbac.biz

Missoula Economic Partnership

missoulapartnership.com

Big Sky Economic Development

bigskyeconomicdevelopment.org

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE

The Montana Department of Commerce announced in October 2021 an additional $10 million to the Workforce Training Grant Program to help close the skills gap, cre- ate more good-paying jobs and expand opportunities in the state. Eligible businesses can receive up to $3,000 per employee with a maximum allocation of $210,000.

BIG DEALS

  • Software company GL Solutions announced in March 2021 that it would relocate its headquarters from Bend, Oregon, to Kalispell and create 40 jobs.
  • Guitar manufacturer Gibson announced in March 2021, an expansion of its facility in Bozeman.
  • CACI International acquired Montana-based Ascent Vision Technologies in August 2020.
  • Credova Financial announced in October 2021 the relocation of its headquarters from Nevada to Bozeman.

BIG COMPANIES

  • Ascent Vision Technologies 
  • commonFont
  • Energy 1
  • Foundant Technologies 
  • Golden Helix
  • Lumenad 
  • Stone Glacier
  • XY Planning Network
Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

1:00 - 5:00 pm

Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process

Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:

  1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
  2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
  3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

 

Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns.  They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning.  Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process.  This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented.  If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form.  The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations. 

Limited space available.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS

General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.

The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.