Co-host NorthWestern Energy -- a major, regional provider of
electricity, natural gas and related services to approximately 650,000
customers in Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska. The company also provides electric service to Yellowstone National Park. With 1350 employees, NorthWestern
Energy serves 168 communities throughout its service territory. Montana
operations based in Butte; corporate in Sioux Falls, SD.
Co-host Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) – Helping
manufacturers to succeed, this statewide manufacturing outreach &
assistance center is staffed by full-time professionals with degrees in
engineering and extensive experience in manufacturing and business in a variety
of industries. MMEC assistance is embellished by a great nationwide network of
specialists in the NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership to assist small & mid-size manufacturers to be more competitive
& profitable.
Bresnan Communications -- a broadband telecommunications provider founded in 1984 with the goal of providing leading-edge technology, entertainment and advanced services supported by outstanding customer service to small and medium-sized markets. The nation's thirteenth largest MSO, Bresnan currently serves over 320,000 customers in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah, delivering advanced products and services including high-speed Internet access, high-definition television, video-on-demand, digital video recorder, and digital telephone to residential and business customers across an upgraded fiber-optic coaxial network. Bresnan Business Services delivers custom data, voice, and video solutions to business and institutions of all sizes.
The Montana Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) -- focus on the creation, retention and expansion of small businesses counseling more than 1,500 entrepreneurs and existing business owners through direct one-on-one assistance and referral each year. The SBDC Network provides help with business plan development, financial management, market feasibility, and international trade at no cost to the client. It also offers low-cost training in topics include business start-up, marketing, taxes, business plans and cash flow analysis.
Montana Department of Commerce - Business Resources Division -- Offering resources and tools aimed at improving, enhancing, and diversifying Montana's economic and business climate. Working with its many partners, its primary objective is to enhance the economic base of Montana through business creation, expansion, and retention efforts by delivering information, technical assistance, and financial resources to businesses & communities in Montana, resulting in the development and prosperity of our state. back to top
GOLD SPONSORS
Montana State Chamber of Commerce/Manufacturing Council/
Chamber Choices – within the Chamber is a developing group of manufacturing
businesses joining together to improve the environment in which manufacturing
conducts business and enhancing the economic viability of Montana. It is a
cooperative effort of the Montana Chamber of Commerce, Associated Employers and
the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center. Chamber members with an interest in
manufacturing can become members of the Council at no extra fee. The Chamber
works to keep members informed and with local and national affiliates such as
the US Chamber of Commerce and National Association of Manufacturers to develop
unity and strength. NEW! Montana Chamber Choices, health insurance options, are
now available to small employers with 2 to 99 employees who are members of the
State Chamber and/or participating local chambers who are members.
First Interstate Bank – a family-owned company that strives
to provide exemplary products at competitive prices and a clearly superior
level of customer service. Started by Homer Scott in Sheridan, Wyoming, in
1968, First Interstate is now headquartered in Billings, Montana, with 55
branches across Montana and Wyoming, and over $5 billion in assets. First Interstate
Bank provides the strength, resources and technological advancements of a major
organization while providing the experience, professional skills and personal
service you expect from local management and local decision-making. When
companies shop for financial services and solutions at First Interstate Bank,
they get benefits that go beyond price and value.
Montana Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) -- helping businesses understand how to tap into the profitable market of selling goods to
federal, state and local governments. The counselors at PTAC help clients to
learn the ins-and-outs of government contracting while learning to avoid
potential pitfalls that plague many government contract holders. From
understanding the market to the bidding process and how to conduct business
online with government agencies, assistance is offered at no cost. Maureen Jewell, located in the Billings
office of Big Sky EDA, is the statewide director.
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SILVER SPONSORS
Montana Department of Agriculture -- offering marketing and
business development assistance to agricultural businesses. Growth Through
Agriculture provides loans and grants for innovative agricultural businesses,
products and marketing. Marketing and business development assistance is
provided to producers of commodities, value-added agricultural products and
livestock. Bio-Product Innovation Centers provide customized training and
technical assistance for bio-product business development in Central and
Eastern Montana.
Montana Hydraulics, Helena – a high quality manufacturing
and fabricating facility, specializing in CNC machining, turning and
fabrication. Similar to the reputation of Montana, the beautiful state it calls
home, the company has been built on integrity, strength, ingenuity and quality
work. Its customer base spans a variety of industries including mining,
railroads, construction, timber processing machinery, Department of Defense
contracting and aerospace tooling. www.montanahydraulics.com
Felco Industries, Missoula – a subsidiary of Montana
Hydraulics LLC, is most noted for their attachments for excavators and backfill
equipment plus a full line of compactor wheels, compaction buckets, vibratory
compaction buckets, bedding conveyors, backfill conveyors and other assorted
attachments and heavy equipment parts. FELCO also has extensive welding and
fabrication capability and an engineering department capable of producing
custom designed projects ranging from simple buckets to highly complex
aerospace support structures and compost equipment.
Northwest Industrial Partnerships is a US Department of
Energy project to support regional industrial energy efficiency. Montana’s DNRC
and MMEC receive ARRA funds to provide training and technical services in
Montana.
Montana State Fund – committed to the health and economic
prosperity of Montana through superior service, leadership and caring
individuals, working in an environment of teamwork, creativity and trust.
Montana State Fund is the insurance carrier of choice and industry leader in
service, providing competitively priced coverage and commitment to service no
matter what challenges face the insurance industry. Also offering safety
training and a complete safety resources website. 2010 Compete Smart Youth Activities Sponsor.
Montana Department of Environmental Quality -- Air, Energy
& Pollution Prevention Bureau. AEPP programs bring information and
technical assistance to Montana residents and businesses. A strong partnership with the US Department
of Energy helps identify opportunities for Montana businesses to improve the energy
efficiency of their facilities and processes and develop alternative energy
sources for heat and power. The Business and Community Assistance Program
promotes the reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting of wastes, and works
to expand business markets and opportunities to use these wastes productively.
The Small Business Assistance Program provides confidential assistance to
businesses to meet or exceed regulatory requirements. www.energizemontana.com
College of Engineering at Montana State University –
striving to be the college of choice for students seeking a learning experience
that fosters innovation, discovery, and the opportunity to apply technical
knowledge to improve the quality of life and economic prosperity in Montana and
beyond. The College of Engineering serves the State of Montana and the nation
by fostering lifelong learning, integrating learning and discovery, developing
and sharing technical expertise, & empowering students to be tomorrow’s
leaders.
2010Compete Smart Youth Activities Sponsor.
2010Compete Smart Youth Activities Sponsor.
Big Sky Economic Development – EDC -- created in 1989, the Big Sky Economic Development Authority and Big
Sky Economic Development Corporation is made up of a public and private commitment
to economic development efforts. This unique model of public “authority”
sponsored by Yellowstone County and an economic development corporation
sponsored by the top 100 businesses in the community, provides a strong
foundation for the business expansion, recruitment and community development
programs of Big Sky EDA–EDC. It provides the resources to serve existing
businesses and to market the community to new and expanding businesses.
Services include regional service centers for the 504 SBA Loan Program, PTAC,
SBDC, BEAR, and MMEC.
Pacific Steel & Recycling -- the Intermountain
Northwest’s largest Steel Service Center and Scrap Metals Recycler. A 100%
employee owned ESOP corporation, it has been in business for more than 100
years. Pacific has thrived throughout the years by putting customers first and
adapting to their needsThe company is headquartered in Great Falls, MT, and has
38 branch offices in Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, South Dakota and
Montana.
General Distributing -- is a family owned business that has
been serving Montana since 1948. General Distributing is celebrating 60 years
of industry excellence this year. The company provides welding and plasma
equipment and accessories, safety equipment, industrial tools, industrial
abrasives, filler metals, and medical equipment. It also provides industrial,
specialty and medical gases. Located in Great Falls, Butte, Bozeman, Helena,
and Billings.
InterDyn BMI – Celebrating 25 years as your business partner, helping you understand
the scope, manage the installation, and support critical business software
applications since 1985. InterDyn BMI prides itself on representing and being a
top partner with the leading software providers in the marketplace as well as
your key business partner. With Microsoft-centric solutions, proven
methodologies and years of experience, InterDyn BMI clients are gaining the
edge needed to compete and win. Expertise and experience in accounting & financial
business software, Enterprise Resource Planning software, sales and customer
service software (CRM) and retail point of sales software.
JCCS (Junkermier.Clark.Campenella.Stevens.PC) – is one of
Montana's largest and fastest growing full-service public accounting and
business consulting firms. With more than 60 years of practice, JCCS is able to
provide the knowledge and expertise necessary to help each individual or business
client succeed in today's competitive environment. Our Number One Priority is
you -- the Client – we can help with tax planning and preparation, accounting
and audit services, monthly bookkeeping/ payroll services, business development
services & valuations, computer advisory services, employee benefit plan
administration, estate planning & much more. www.jccscpa.com
Ryerson Inc. --a leading distributor and processor of
metals in North America, including aluminum, stainless, caron & alloy,
brass & copper plus a complete line of processing capabilities to produce
anything from simple shapes to complex sub-assemblies. From raw materials
transformed to finished parts all from one convenient source, the company
services customers through a network of service centers across the United
States and in Canada, Mexico, India and China.
Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU) – providing electric and
natural gas utility service and a wide range of other related products and
services to the Northern Great Plains. MDU distributes natural gas and provides
related value-added products and services. MDU also generates, transmits and
distributes electricity and provides related value-added products and services.
MDU has developed an Energy Center to provide customers with access to
incentive plans and conservation tips for more efficient energy use.
UPS -- Founded in 1907 as a messenger company in the United
States, UPS has grown into a $49.7 billion corporation by clearly focusing on
the goal of enabling commerce around the globe. With one of the most recognized
and admired brands around the world, UPS has become the world's largest package
delivery company and a leading global provider of specialized transportation
and logistics services. Every day, UPS manages the flow of goods, funds, and
information in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. Ready when you are.
Zions Bank -- taking the “foreign” out of foreign banking, with a
department dedicated to providing foreign currency and trade finance services
for its clients. It offers a platform for transforming currency exchange to cut
significant costs for businesses with global financial needs and information
about various types of letters of credit, including applications forms,
government international finance programs, and foreign exchange services plus a
World Business Watch newsletter. Zions Bank provides several services to
facilitate international payments and exchanges including foreign wires,
foreign drafts and currency banknotes.
Color World Printers -- your one-stop location for print-related
communication material. Color World can help you with direct mail, catalogs,
sell sheets, postcard campaigns, customized mailings design, print to web
conversion, fulfillment and distribution of your products in addition to any
other communication collateral. Along
with BigLook Displays & Graphics, these multiple complete brand-imaging
divisions offer "concept to completion" under one roof. Services
include Trade Show Solutions, Signs and Banners, Point of Purchase,. Vehicle Graphics,
Promotional Products, Graphic Design, Print Marketing & Direct Mail, Web
Marketing and Design and Business Printing on time, on budget, and on anything.
Global Shop Solutions -- sole provider of One-System ERP Solutions™ designed to streamline operations, has helped hundreds of discrete manufacturers increase sales, improve quality and on-time delivery, and lower costs. Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, it has offices in major cities throughout the U. S. to serve customers in a variety of industries throughout North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Global Shop Solutions’ unique combination of manufacturing knowledge, software expertise and commitment to customer service has produced more successful implementations than any of its competitors in the industry.
Associated Employers, Billings – a non-profit membership association committed
to providing expert information, education, training, research and support in
employee/ labor relations, management issues, human resources, and compliance
issues related to government regulations to strengthen the success of employers
and their businesses. Founded in 1916, Associated Employers is a proven,
reliable resource to its membership in both Montana and Wyoming. AE offers
members a variety of insurance packages (subject to eligibility) and other
membership benefits. Providing positive employee/ employer relations.
Montana Community Finance Corporation (MCFC) –- Helena,
serving Montana since 1984. MCFC is a
Certified Development Company licensed and regulated by the U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA) to deliver 504 loan financing. MCFC's role is to package, process, close and
service SBA 504 loans in the state of Montana, specializing in owner occupied
real estate and equipment financing. Benefits are the ability to make a low down payment on the
purchase/construction of the property and receive long term, fixed rate
financing for a portion of total project cost. MCFC is the only CDC in Montana designated as an Accredited Lender
Participant (ALP) with both Abridged Submission Method (ASM) and streamlined
loan closing authority by the SBA.
These designations attest to the expertise of the MCFC staff in
administering SBA’s 504 loan program.
Montana World Trade Center (MWTC)
– Our mission is to increase international trade through public-private
partnerships, business networking, and student education. MWTC has undertaken a
dual role as consultant and activist, assisting member businesses in
establishing and strengthening their international commercial capabilities
using appropriate tools, while striving to develop untapped international trade
opportunities throughout the state of Montana and neighboring regions. MWTC is
a program of the University of Montana and affiliated with campuses statewide.
Contact MWTC to find out how you can “Take Montana to the World!”
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