Montana Business

MISSOULA – As the nation heads toward economic recovery, it appears that job losses and unemployment rates...

Helena, Mont. -- A new report by the Education Trust is further evidence that Montana is making strides in narrowing gap...

MISSOULA – The University of Montana College of Technology is offering free college prep classes for qualified veterans through...

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02/11/2010
What makes a product "Green"- Missoula...
02/12/2010
2010 Economic Outlook - Kalispell
02/17/2010
MWTC - Trade Show Results - Missoula
02/19/2010
Small Biz Opportunity, Sen Tester - Bozeman
02/24/2010
Underground Tank Licensing - Helena
03/16/2010
2010 Economic Outlook - Lewistown
03/17/2010
2010 Economic Outlook - Havre
03/18/2010 - 03/19/2010
Pest Management Workshop - Bozeman
03/26/2010 - 03/27/2010
Made in Montana Marketplace - Great Falls

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Business

Nominations Requested for Montana's Tourism Awards

(HELENA) - The Governor's Tourism Advisory Council (TAC) is accepting nominations for the 2010 Montana Tourism Awards. Nominations for Tourism Person of the Year, Tourism Community of the Year, Tourism Event of the Year and Tourism Partnership of the Year will be accepted.

"The success of Montana's tourism industry is a genuine testament to the dedicated and hardworking Montanans within this industry that continue to steer it forward," said Governor Brian Schweitzer.

Commerce Director Anthony Preite encourages the submittal of nominations to formally recognize those that work diligently on behalf of Montana's tourism industry.

"These awards recognize individuals, events, communities and partnerships whose efforts to promote and develop Montana's tourism opportunities have preserved and enhanced tourism's role in Montana's economy," said Preite.

The award winners will be announced at the 36th Annual Governor's Conference on Tourism and Recreation scheduled for April 8-9, 2010, at the Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell, Montana.

Tech

Montana Licensed Mortage Businesses Information Now Available Online

The Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Registry (NMLS)—a mortgage licensing system operated by state financial regulators, including Montana—is launching “NMLS Consumer Access.” NMLS Consumer Access is a fully searchable website that allows the public to view information concerning state-licensed mortgage companies, branches, and individuals currently licensed through NMLS.

The goal of NMLS Consumer Access is to provide homebuyers and the general public with greater information regarding state licensed companies and professionals in the mortgage industry. NMLS Consumer Access will benefit consumers by providing consumers a single location to access standardized information regarding their mortgage provider, regardless of the state in which they operate.

“The launch of NMLS Consumer Access shows, once again, the commitment of state financial supervisors to protect consumers,” said Commissioner Annie Goodwin. Goodwin continued, “States have long been regarded as leaders in the consumer protection arena. NMLS Consumer Access provides an innovative method for consumers to research prospective mortgage companies or providers.”

State regulators, through the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators, launched NMLS in January 2008. To date, 45 states and territories—including Montana—license mortgage companies, branches and individuals through the system. All 54 states and territories are expected to be on NMLS by the end of 2010.

Education

Missoula COT Offers Free College Prep Classes For Veterans

MISSOULA – The University of Montana College of Technology is offering free college prep classes for qualified veterans through the Montana Veterans Upward Bound program.

Classes are offered in math, writing and basic computer skills. They will be held Monday through Thursday evenings at the COT campus, located at 909 South Ave. W. Start times vary from 5 to 7 p.m., and classes end no later than 9 p.m.

Orientation will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, in the COT Dining Room. A graduation ceremony will be held Thursday, April 15.

Links: For more information or to enroll, or call 877-356-VETS

Ag

DOL Hosts Information Sessions, Public Comment on Official Calfhood Vaccination

The Montana Department of Livestock will host a series of meetings to talk with livestock producers about its preliminary proposal on statewide Official Calfhood Vaccination (OCV) for brucellosis, and will additionally solicit comment via an informal public participation process.

The proposal would, in short, require OCV for all sexually intact female cattle and bison not destined for slaughter. A copy of the proposal will be available at the meetings, and has also been posted on the department's web site at liv.mt.gov.

Currently, the state does not require cattle to be vaccinated against brucellosis except for the four counties (Beaverhead, Gallatin, Madison and Park counties) in the newly created brucellosis Designated Surveillance Area (DSA). A key issue is that buyers of Montana cattle could perceive that the state is doing less than neighboring states - Wyoming and Idaho both have statewide OCV requirements - to prevent transmission of the disease from infected elk and bison to cattle.

"There are advantages to becoming an OCV state, and it's a good time to have that discussion," said state veterinarian Dr. Marty Zaluski, who, as chair of the U.S. Animal Health Association's subcommitttee on brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area, has helped the department play a leadership role in the development of brucellosis policy. "It's a hot topic, though, and there will be concerns."

At this point, the proposal is a just a starting point for discussion with the livestock and associated industries.

"Mostly, we just want to talk with producers to get their thoughts on statewide OCV," Zaluski said. "Producers have legitimate questions, and our goal is providing information that enables them to have constructive, informed input. We want them to be aware of the potential benefits as well as any drawbacks that may exist."

Regulatory

Biomass, Noxious Weeds, E-waste on Environmental Quality Council Agenda

The bipartisan Environmental Quality Council will meet Jan. 7-8 in Helena to consider a variety of issues, including biomass energy, noxious weeds, and the disposal of e-waste.

The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. each day in Room 172 of the State Capitol. The public is welcome to attend and will have an opportunity to comment on the council's work. A complete agenda is available on the legislative Web site.

As part of an ongoing study of biomass as an energy source in Montana, the council will hear from Todd Morgan, of the University of Montana, about the availability of biomass from forests, and from Brian Spangler, of the Department of Environmental Quality, about the use of agricultural waste for biomass.

General

SBA Montana January '10 e-Newsletter

SBA Montana District Office's January 2010 E-Newsletter is now available (pdf)

Regional

SBC's Sustainability Shot Series Begins 2/11, Missoula

The Sustainable Business Council (SBC) will launch its Sustainability Shot series on February 11, 2010 with a discussion entitled What Makes a Product “Green”? with marketing expert Nicole Hagerman, Project Manager at the Montana World Trade Center and Sourcing and Compliance consultant for Overstock.com.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Gianchetta Plaza on the second floor of the UM’s Gallagher Business Building and is co-hosted by the Montana World Trade Center. This presentation will explore how consumers view the green movement and how companies can differentiate their product to target consumers ranging from Learners to Lohas (those practicing lifestyles of health and sustainability).

Existing green platforms and eco-labels, in addition to proposed environmental standards by Wal-Mart and other leading organizations, will also be reviewed. The format for the evening will include a 15-20 minute overview by Nicole followed by 40-45 minutes of questions from the audience. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served and a no host wine bar will be available. RSVPs to education@sbcmontana.org are requested, but not required.

Business How To

Wellness - 10 Ways for Divorcing Families to Enjoy the Holidays

Linda Gryczan, Mediation Works

All families experience additional stress during celebrations and holidays, but divorced families can be pushed to the limit. We are headed into a time when everyone is expected to be happy and full of good cheer, and maybe your heart is in shreds, the kids are fighting, and you are flat broke.

Restructuring a family in even in the most amicable divorce is not easy. Roles are altered; traditions change, and parents will spend important celebrations and holidays without their children. Here are 10 ideas to help you enjoy the holidays.

Agree on the schedule well in advance. Some typical ways that families who celebrate Christian holidays, divide their parenting time:

The children spend Thanksgiving with one parent and Christmas with the other, then switch the following year.
The children spend he first half of winter break, through Christmas Eve with one parent, then go to the other parent’s house on Christmas morning, through the end of winter break. The schedule may be switched the following year, or not.
The children have Christmas morning at one parent’s house and afternoon at the other.
Parents get together to open presents or have Thanksgiving dinner together.

Set the tone for your children. If you complain about having less money for presents, and approach the holidays with dread, or anger at your ex, your children will take your cue and join you in having a miserable time. If instead, you make homemade gifts together, and try new activities, you are more likely to have fun. This can be a time to develop special traditions in each household that everyone can look forward to from year to year.

DOL Hosts Information Sessions, Public Comment on Official Calfhood Vaccination

Friday, 05 February 2010 08:21

At this point, the proposal is a just a starting point for discussion with the livestock and associated industries.

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Nominations Requested for Montana's Tourism Awards

Friday, 05 February 2010 06:47

"The success of Montana's tourism industry is a genuine testament to the dedicated and hardworking Montanans within this industry that continue to steer it forward," said Governor Brian Schweitzer.

Commerce Director Anthony Preite encourages the submittal of nominations to formally recognize those that work diligently on behalf of Montana's tourism industry.

The award winners will be announced at the 36th Annual Governor's Conference on Tourism and Recreation scheduled for April 8-9, 2010, at the Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell, Montana.

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Missoula COT Offers Free College Prep Classes For Veterans

Thursday, 04 February 2010 08:17

MISSOULA – The University of Montana College of Technology is offering free college prep classes for qualified veterans through the Montana Veterans Upward Bound program.

Orientation will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, in the COT Dining Room. A graduation ceremony will be held Thursday, April 15.

Links: For more information or to enroll, or call 877-356-VETS

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Big Sky 2.0 and Beyond: FancyFlours.com

Wednesday, 03 February 2010 06:22

Bring Fancy Flours to your home through our on-line store. Fancyflours.com will bring out your artistic, whimsical, imaginative, and even magical side. Browse our selection of chocolate transfer sheets and culinary stencils, the perfect touch to holiday treats and desserts. Need to add a bit of color to your cupcakes? Try one of our brilliantly colored food sprays or icing writers, a darling cupcake pick, or shimmering edible pearls. Fancyflours.com also provides you with mouthwatering recipes, valuable tips and how-to's, as well as a current blog featuring the latest in baking trends.

Check out FancyFlours.com today! Visit on twitter @fancyflours and Facebook

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Senator Tester Hosting Small Business Workshop in Bozeman 2/19

Tuesday, 02 February 2010 08:30

From Senator Jon Tester:

Please join me at my second Small Business Opportunity Workshop on February 19 in Bozeman. I’m hosting this event to create and maintain jobs in Montana by helping our state’s businesses and contractors learn more about working with the state and federal government. I hope you can be a part of it.

It’s critical that we improve access to contracting opportunities and level the playing field for Montana businesses. Representatives from more than 17 federal agencies will be there to answer your questions about procurement and contracting opportunities and other ways of creating and maintaining jobs to put our economy back on track.

My partners in this effort include Gov. Brian Schweitzer, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Sen. Max Baucus, the Montana Procurement Technical Assistance Center, the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center, the Montana Contractors Association, the Montana Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Commerce/Economic Development Administration, the Montana Department of Commerce, the Montana Department of Administration, the Montana Department of Transportation, and Montana State University – Bozeman.

SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY WORKSHOP

WHO: Montana Small Businesses Federal and State Agencies

WHEN: Friday, February 19, 2010 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Best Western GranTree Inn 1325 N 7th Avenue Bozeman

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SBA Montana January '10 e-Newsletter

Monday, 01 February 2010 09:07

SBA Montana District Office's January 2010 E-Newsletter is now available (pdf)

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MEDA Online News - February 2010

Monday, 01 February 2010 00:00

The MEDA February 2010 Online news is now available. Here are the topic headings:

MEDA Scholarship Applications due Feb 26th
Grant and Funding Opportunities
Committee and Working Groups Update
Opportunities For You
Montana BEAR Report – And 2009 Annual Report
Census 2010 Update
What the Numbers Say
My Turn: Thinking Spring Conference

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 02 February 2010 13:00

Montana Historical Society Seeking Sponsors for Code Talker Exhibit

Monday, 01 February 2010 06:29

The Montana Historical Society is scheduling the Smithsonian Institution’s “Native Words, Native Warriors” exhibit for venues across the state to honor Native Americans and all veterans for their service to their country.

“We are welcoming sponsors who want to be associated with this important project,” Society Director Richard Sims said. “This is a rare opportunity to honor Montana’s Indian veterans, and all veterans, as well as to honor the important work of retaining native languages.”

The Smithsonian created this exhibit to tell the remarkable story of Indian Marines and soldiers from more than a dozen tribes who used their coded native languages as a weapon against U.S. enemies.

The Navajo code talkers during World War Two have received the most recognition, but the exhibit shows that Native Americans were first enlisted to relay messages using their own languages during World War One.

Marines and soldiers from the Assiniboine, Sioux, Navajo, Hopi, Kiowa, Comanche, Choctaw, Cherokee, Meskwaki, Creek, Chippewa, Cree, Sac and Fox, Oneida, Menominee, and Seminole nations all served as code talkers.

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Update

SBA Montana District Office's January 2010 E-Newsletter is now available (pdf) ...

The MEDA February 2010 Online news is now available. Here are the topic headings: MEDA Scholarship Applications due Feb 26th ...

On December 23, 2009, the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (Advocacy) submitted a comment letter to the Depart...