a

g
l
i n
u
n t
pr
M
ese
is s o
s
Beacet
the

p loject
pr
 I believe Missoula Because we are such an This partnership relies on us
needs a single, focused attractive place to live, work, working together in new ways.
organization to guide the play and raise our families, And as you’ll see elsewhere in
recruitment, retention we must recruit and support this brochure, we’ve got some
Here’s w and development businesses that complement great folks on the team who
hat I he
We live ar more effort, much in the way the place and add value. agree.
in the b than an communities large and
e s t p l a ything f
And tha
t ce. I agree. rom the small around the country Missoula needs to tell its The goals spelled out in
extraor ’s why we lau folks I s have done with success. story to bring new business this brochure are simple
dinary p n
lace is nched the Best erve: John En
gen
W hile M o t left P la
to chan ce Project
That organization is to Missoula, to help but powerful. We want to
- Mayor
niche n issoula is hos ce. . We w
ant to e the Missoula Economic existing business grow and put people to work. Your
e e d s in t to a nsure th
busines t h e n u m
s, retain communit ber of econ at the e Partnership. prosper, and to create new support is critical. Thanks for
busines y and re omic de conomic opportunities for businesses considering the Best Place
ses, and gion, no velopm vitality
develop single o ent and of our through development Project and the Missoula
opportu rganiza busines Missoula’s peerless natural
nities fo tion effec so
r busine tively d rganizations t and built environments, its and redevelopment. With Economic Partnership.
sses in riv ha
Missou es the effort tt meet vibrant downtown district, meaningful resources, the
la. o recru Partnership can tell that story
it its first-class public teaching
and research university, its over and over.
world-class medical centers,
and active, intelligent, engaged I can’t tell you that economic
citizenry combine to create development is someone John Engen
the best place to do business else’s job anymore. It’s Mayor
in the western United States. mine. It’s yours. It’s ours.
 The Bes
Project t Place
Goals:
A Proactive, Productive Plan for
Greater Missoula → Creat
e2
jobs res ,500 new prim
u a
jobs, pa lting in 4,875 t ry
ying a s o
wage ra ustaina tal
te of $3 ble
7K annu
→ Gene ally
The five-year Best Place
Project is a $3.2 million
The focus of the Best Place rate dir
totaling ect p
$172,97 ayroll
regional economic growth Project is on smart, managed annuall
y
expand from new or
5,000
plan targeted at the enormous
pent-up opportunity
and sustainable growth through in
targeted g businesses in
sectors
represented by Missoula 21st Century jobs and industries → Incre
ase
and Missoula County. An that fit our community. investm new capital
ents by
$150,00
unparalleled quality of life, → Enco 0,000
state-of-the-art healthcare, To successfully compete urage 2
startups 5 new bu
sin
quality schools, a stable with other regions across tech-relawith innovativ ess
and diverse economy, and a the country and the world, ted con e or
cepts
growing population are only the the Project helps pool our → Recru
it 2
beginning attributes that make resources. It calls for increased compan 5 “best-fit ”
ie
assistance to existing business, Missoula s to relocate t
this area an ideal place to live, o
work and raise a family. aggressive recruitment of → Cond
uct
With these significant new business to our region, prospec 4–6 annual bu
t s
advantages, the potential provides for regional marketing trade ev missions and iness-
ents to
for economic growth and along with small business and attract n educate
prosperity is great. entrepreneurship support. and reg ational, statew and
io id
consult nal site selecti e
ants an on
prospec dt
ts seekin argeted
opportu
nities. g business
Mike &
- Gatew Jan Peissig
ay Printi
ng
“One w
o
the Mis rd sums u
Funding the Best
environsoula business p
As a prin
ment: In
genuity
.
Place Project
te r
one of t , we are us
needed he first serviceually
They co by a new bus s
with onme to us equipiness.
seen maly a dream. W ped
grow, deny businessese’ve
prosper velop and cre
everyonity that benefi ate
to be in e. We continuts
small buspired by whate
accomp siness can
it every lish and see
Missouladay here in
is the tr . Small busine
of Amerue backbone ss
ica.“
To effectively implement the Best
Place Project and achieve the
anticipated return on investment,
it will require a budget of $3.2
million. Five-year financial
commitments to the Project will
be sought from both private and
public sectors.
Funds generated will be earmarked
exclusively for the implementation
of the various efforts outlined in
the Project – as outlined on the
following pages.
$1
.0M
Strategy 1 :
Support Growth of
Existing Businesses
Five-year Budget:
$1 million
In order to provide
superior service to, and
promote the growth of,
existing Missoula businesses,
Project leadership will serve
as a “single point of contact”
for the community of business
support providers.
This is a critical component
of the Project as existing
businesses create 80% of
new jobs across the nation.
Planned tactics/
strategies include:
→→ Conduct annual visits
with businesses to learn
how best to support
their growth strategies. A
team of business support
providers (key government
entities, utilities, financial
institutions, education/
training agencies, and
others) will assist and
respond quickly and directly
to companies with specific
problems or expansion
opportunities.
→→ Provide ongoing access to
local, state and national
assistance and incentive
programs with a goal of
providing direct support to
a minimum 50 businesses
each year.
→→ Identify and enlist partners
and government agencies
to resolve general local/
regional issues that may be
limiting existing business
growth.
→→ Visit at least one out-of-
town regional or corporate
headquarters of a local
business each year.
→→ Plan events for Industry
Appreciation Week to
showcase and honor
business excellence.
→→ Develop additional support
materials to attract talent
to the region including the
relocation of professionals
with local roots.
→→ Increase the level of
business community
engagement with Missoula
County Public Schools and
other education programs.
→→ Gather together key
business and manufacturing
groups to identify common
obstacles and opportunities,
such as recognizing supplier
gaps, enhancing the area’s
business-to-business
contacts, evaluating co-op
purchasing opportunities,
and encouraging other
collaborative efforts.
→→ Develop ongoing programs
to help companies identify
and access regional, national
and global new market
opportunities. Help identify
and provide access to quality
suppliers and vendors, along
with adopting cost-effective
“green” initiatives.
→→ Work closely with local
manufacturing managers
in developing an ongoing
corporate headquarters
contact program to promote
the greater Missoula area
as an attractive place for
new contract placement
and investment.

Strategy 2 :
Increase Innovation,
Entrepreneurship
and Small Business
Support
Five-year Budget:
$800,000
$800
K entrepreneurs and specific
This part of the Best
Place Project is designed
to foster the success of
Missoula area entrepreneurs.
High-growth technology and
knowledge-based businesses
that generate export revenues
will be targeted specifically.
The Project leadership
and institutional partners
will continue to connect
entrepreneurs with necessary
assets in order to remove
barriers to growth, drive
up revenues, and increase
employment opportunities for
all residents.
→→ Implement a program for
Planned tactics/
strategies include:
→→ Enhance existing program
and develop new ones to
improve our area’s overall
innovation/entrepreneurship
climate and to provide
specific opportunities
targeted to small business,
→→ Expand funding
business sectors. Host four
regional entrepreneurial
events annually.
→→ Deepen the existing
relationship with the
→→ Expand and enhance existing
University of Montana Tech
Transfer office and their
degree programs which
support the development
of entrepreneurs. Partner
with UM to develop a
basic “innovation and
entrepreneurial” program
to teach students how
to create, develop and
capitalize new products
and service ideas. Grow the
program to include local
public and private high
schools.
→→ Evaluate innovation and
technology opportunities,
including alternative energy
and “green” initiatives
that best fit the Missoula
area. Develop programs to
connect existing companies
and start-ups to these
opportunities.
B rad &
– Divers Wendy Reid
ified Pla
stics
“We are
generatia second-
“Stage 2” entrepreneurs
(companies with $1-25
busines on family
s in Mis
million in revenue) with soula.
We app
the potential for significant our famreciate raisin
growth. Provide assistance commu ily in a close-g
to four Stage 2 companies by atte nity. Our kids knit
through resources, like whnding smaller benefit
e s
information and connections up. Ourn we were grochools
necessary to realize their c u sto m wing
co m m e e
growth. nt abours always
to v i s i t t wa nt
enjoy tMontana anding
h
opportunities for a ro u n d e b e a u t y t h a t
entrepreneurs by developing to realius. It ’s fulfillin’s all
z
venture capital “angel” to own e that we’re ag
networks. a familya business, ra ble
i
in a pla , and enjoy lifse
c
m a ny o w h e r e s o e
e
idea evaluation (“pitch want tother people
night”) programs that va c a t i o
n.”
connect entrepreneurs to
successful business people
who then offer guidance
on development of new
businesses around those
ideas.
 Alex
PresidePhilp, Ph.D.,
n
– GCS H t and CEO Targeting “Best Fit”
old ings, In Industries:
c.
The focus of this part of →→ Build partnerships with
“I was d other organizations to
Missourawn to the Best Place Project is to
maximize use of our
aesth la by the
eti ble
educate and recruit new
community’s business
friendlincs, its size andnd of businesses to the city of development resources.
e
Missoula s of the peo the
s
ideal pla has become ple. Strategy 3 : Missoula and Missoula County
with an emphasis on targeted →→ Conduct multiple annual
With its ce to raise a f an business prospecting
new, M mix of old andamily. Attract New Businesses to
industry segments that would
missions and trade events
pace anissoula offers a Enhance and Diversify the
especially prosper in the local to reach site consultants.
that supd a lifestyle Local Economic Base
environment. Involve volunteer business
creative ports the and professional leaders,
compan thinking my Planned tactics/ elected officials, and
can live y needs. We Five-year Budget: strategies include: academic leaders on strategy
in the mand work $1.2 million and recruiting missions to
surroun ountains, →→ Create a leading-edge target-rich environments.
rivers. Lded by

2M
The greater Missoula website to be the region’s
relaxed ife is

$1.
allowin here, area has many assets
time ang more that make it attractive to
energy d a diverse range of businesses.
innovatifor Our key assets include:
on.”
→→ Access to a quality workforce
at competitive wages
→→ An existing industry base
including medical and
healthcare services
→→ Highly desirable geographic
location and quality of life
→→ Smart-growth goals
supported by the community
→→ Impressive infrastructure
capacities
→→ The University of Montana
→→ The Missoula International
Airport, and more.
virtual “front door.” The
site will feature a regional
database with corporate
data and listings, targeted
industry job posts, a regional
“newswire,” and a public
information portal.
→→ Initiate proactive personal
contact with targeted
prospects by attending
and sponsoring events at
select trade shows and
conferences, and hosting
target groups within our
region for symposiums and
trade events.
→→ Obtain non-paid national
and international media
exposure by using news
and feature material about
Missoula County to generate
positive coverage.
→→ Host annual inbound
recruitment mission for
business site decision-
makers with top-level
investors included in
each event.
→→ Create fresh, breakthrough
marketing materials
accompanied by accurate,
current economic data with
our distinctive Missoula
area style. Use these to
respond to inquiries and for
distribution at trade shows
and other events.
→→ Implement a marketing
strategy designed to attract
targeted firms, site selection
specialists, and corporate
real estate executives.

Strategy 4 :
Investor Relations &
Communications
$2
00
Five-year Budget:
K
$200,000
Maintaining high levels
of investor confidence
in the Best Place Project will
require the highest level
of transparency, rapid and
accurate communications, and
complete accountability. It will
also mean that Missoula’s “first
team” of business and elected
leaders will need to take an
active role in keeping the
Project on task, on time,
and on budget.
Specific oversight
responsibilities will fall on a
steering committee whose
membership will evolve more
fully as funds are committed.
The steering committee will be
comprised of individuals whose
financial investment is clear
testimony of their commitment
to the program’s success.
Planned tactics/
strategies include:
→→ Hire the professional staff
necessary to implement
the Project. Hold staff and
implementing partners
accountable for executing
the strategies and achieving
measurable results.
→→ Keep Project efforts fresh
and responsive to market
changes and opportunities
during its five-year life span.
→→ Create a governing board
consisting of financial
investors in the Project
(public and private) who
will oversee the distribution
of funds, development of
organizational policies and
practices, establishment of
sound financial practices,
and the hiring of qualified
personnel.
→→ Keep all investors “in
the loop” and provide
meaningful and attractive
opportunities for
participation for all
levels of investors.
Suresh Joan M
– Rocky K
Mounta . Daniel, CEO andevil
in Biolo le, CEO
gicals, In Telecom – Blackfoot
c. munica
“As a fa tions
t
fisherm her and an
to be a an, I find Miss avid
“I was a
Missouttracted to
as purs
perfect
raising m
y family as
o
fit for ula locati la by its siz
on e
w to have . It ’s large eno and
fishing.uing my love o ell a w orkforce ugh
I can sa As a business f fly
highly s
k il le
networ d in dat
→→ Remain accountable to that Roy without quesowner, developking, software
a
investors by generating Biologiccky Mountain tion
other spment, and
with Misals has been b
meaningful updates on
Having ecialties.
economic impacts achieved and sus soula resourcuilt of Monthe University
and also on measurable people.tained by its es Collegetana and the
returns on investment. educate The well- here co of Technology
→→ Perform annual workfor d local the excentributes to
benchmarking to measure to makece continues of emplollent quality
the Project’s productivity for our it possible can hire yees. We
and effectiveness, produce
put dowcompany to attract t locally or
special events, orientations,
this uniqn roots in out of t alent from
ue setti
regular periodic reports, ng. People he area.
and an informative series live in Mwant to
of newsletters. Once he issoula.
want to re, they
so emp stay,
turnoveloyee
r is low.”
 Strategy 4 Strategy 1 Economic Impact Analysis Campaign Co-chairs
Five-ye Investor Relations & Support Growth of Existing Join us today in moving Missoula forward.
Your Part in the
Proposear Funding Communications Businesses The economic impact analysis
Best Place Project
d Summ $200,000 $1,000,000 quantifies the extent to which
Best Pla ary attraction
Through andyourexpansion
investmentactivities
Fundingce Project included
and support of the Best Best
in the proposed PlacePlace
Strategy 3 Initiative will stimulate
Project, local businesses economic
Attract New effects, generate employment,
and governments will see a
Businesses to Enhance Strategy 2 income and business
measurable activity.
return on their The
and Diversify the Local Increase Innovation, report shows the total economic
dollars while helping to improve
Economic Base Entrepreneurship and Small impact, direct and
the economic indirect,
outlook and
$1,200,000 Business Support measured in terms of jobs and
quality of life for everyone who
$800,000 income. These impacts
calls Missoula County have
home.been
Economic Impact Analysis calculated through an input-output
As is the model
economic case with any
customized to
The economic impact analysis successful
reflect economic
Missoula County’s economy.
quantifies the extent to which development effort, job creation
attraction and expansion activities The value of any job to the region’s is at the core of the Best Place
included in the proposed Best Place economy varies by industry, of course. Project. By creating 2,500 new
Project will stimulate economic Jobs based on significant capital primary jobs in the city of
effects, generate employment, Dirk Vis
The Project targets the creation investment have a higher wage rate Missoula and Missoula County, ser, C
EO
income and business activity. The and generate a greater ripple effect Benefit –A
report shows the total economic
of 2,500 new primary jobs. The the Project will serve as the Plan Ma llegiance
ripple effect of these new jobs has throughout the region’s economy. catalyst to stimulate existing nageme Jeff Fee
impact, direct and indirect, nt , Pre
been computed based on regional Less capital-related jobs generate a business growth, spearhead – St. Pa sident and CE
measured in terms of jobs and tric O
income. These impacts have been
multipliers. These multipliers show smaller economic value. These jobs community improvements, and Health k Hospital and
the effect of the addition of one job occur in retail, services and some build the strong relationships Science
calculated through an input-output s Cente
or one dollar in any given industry of the lower-skilled manufacturing that exist within our business r
economic model customized to to the employment and earnings industries. Lower salary levels community.
reflect Missoula County’s economy. for all industries. typically correspond with these
categories of employment. The only question is – how big a
role will you play in the success
of the Best Place Project?
Economic Impact of Jobs Expenditure Distribution in Missoula County, MT
Housing $44.3
METRICS DIRECT INDIRECT INDUCED TOTAL Transportation $19.7
IMPACT IMPACT IMPACT IMPACT Food $15.9
Jobs 2,500 1,386 1,134 4,875 Insurance & Pensions $13.6
Entertainment $7.5
Earnings $92,500,000 $88,069,120 $47,184,640 $172,975,000
(Payroll) Healthcare $6.9
Cash Contributions $4.4
Apparel $4.2
Disposable Personal Income $150,488,250 Miscellaneous $2.4
Net Personal Consumption Expenditures $124,905,248 Education $2.2 Stacey M
ueller, P
Personal Care $1.6 ublis
– Misso her
Deposit Potential For Area Financial Institutions $60,195,300
Alcoholic Beverages $1.1
ulian Scott Bu
Tobacco Products & Supplies $0.6
Design: Spiker Communications rke, Pre
side
– First S nt and CEO
Reading $0.4
Photography: Bryant Photographics
Printing: Gateway Printing ecurity
Analysis provided by Economic Strategy Center, the research and analysis division of NCDS, Inc. in Millions of Dollars 10 20 30 40 50 Bank
 2401 S. Catlin Street
Suite 206
Missoula, Montana 59801
(406) 327-1470

Printed on recycled paper using eco-friendly inks