Into the first decade of the new century and into the teens, Missoula’s growth was primarily due to the railroad expansion, a nationwide increase in the demand for lumber products and improved agricultural methods and machinery. The timber industry remained an important player in the Missoula economy and national policy toward the public forests directly affected the city. The creation of the U.S. Forest Service in 1905 led to the designation of the Hellgate, Missoula and Lolo Forests. In 1908 Missoula became the district headquarters for Forest Service Operations in the Idaho-Montana District and later became regional headquarters for the Rocky Mountain District.

In the 1980’s Missoula created a local preservation ordinance and joined the Certified Local Government program overseen by the State Historic Preservation Office. During those interim two decades, business fled the downtown to take their place along the automobile dominated business strips and malls. As a result, the downtown suffered a business recession with buildings partially or totally empty. Many of the businesses that remained attempted to compete with the malls by applying modern materials to the facades of historic buildings. However, the formation of the historic preservation program, and funding assistance managed by the newly created Missoula Redevelopment Agency, began to convince business owners that the historic architecture was a valuable and unique asset in attracting customers back to the downtown. Educational efforts by the preservation office, and the monetary incentives offered to those owners of buildings listed in the National Register, led to the restoration of dozens of downtown historic buildings.

Missoula continued to grow and prosper during the 1990’s and into the new century. While the lumber industry has waned and government staffing has decreased, an increase in medical related facilities and service, and art industry has re-created the look of the Missoula economy.

Historic surveys have continued and are supported by the downtown and neighborhoods that realize the value of historic architecture for both aesthetics and economics. One of the fastest growing cities in the state, with accompanying sprawling commercial strips on its periphery, Missoula has come to embrace the idea of historic preservation in its downtown and older residential neighborhoods.
Source: History State Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. NPS Form 10-900(Rev. Oct. 1990) OMB No. 1024-0018 http://www.his.state.mt.us/shpo/register/MissoulaDwntwnHD.pdf 2/5/07:Google; ed. A. Phillip, 2007.) 2010 Lowell Elementary School

Diversification

Missoula is known throughout Montana as a “college town,” being home to the University of Montana and serving as a major cultural center for the state. Although Missoula has many large employers, it is a small business community. Missoula has many notable small businesses, including companies like Adventure Life, who have gained local and national recognition for their work atmosphere.

While the lumber industry has slowed in Missoula, the city’s economy is driven by many other industries and is led by the following sectors:
• Business & Professional Services
• Retail Trade
• Education
• Health Care

Highways

Missoula is conveniently location on the I-90 corridor in the western portion of Montana. The city serves as the gateway for travelers headed north, on highway 93, to areas such as Glacier National Park or for those travelers headed west toward Spokane, WA.

Air

For businesses who are considering relocating to Missoula, the airport currently has four airlines providing service to Missoula with non-stop destinations and connecting flights to thousands of cities worldwide. Airlines providing service include Allegiant, Alaska/Horizon, Delta and United. The airport is also perfectly situated across from the scenic Missoula County Development Park and the technology district, a 446-acre mixed use development that accommodates hotel/conference centers, restaurants, convenience and specialty stores, gas stations, banks, research and development, warehouses and manufacturing. For more information, visit the Development Park official website at www.missoula.mt.us/dev_park.

Labor Supply

The available labor supply in the seven county northwest Montana region is estimated to be 71,800. This estimate is higher than any other labor market region, although statistically it is no different than the southwest or south central regions of the state. The available labor force is equally split between male and females. The age distribution of the available labor supply is almost identical to the state averages, with about two thirds of potential new workers aged 18-44.
Source: “The Available Labor Supply in Montana’s Labor Markets” Feb. 2009 by Patrick M. Barkey, John Baldridge and James T. Sylvester of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research, The University of Montana.

Education and Training

A well-educated workforce is essential in a competitive global environment and workers must be able to update and expand their knowledge as new technology and ways of working evolve. Missoula County Public Schools is committed to providing a quality education for our children and postsecondary and higher education resources are readily available within the Missoula area, through the Lifelong Learning Center, the University of Montana and the University of Montana College of Technology, to serve area residents and businesses.

Community & Business Development

Not only is Missoula a wonderful place to live and recreate, the resources that the community provides to those looking to do business in the area is exceptional. The following information will help demonstrate the Economic Development efforts being put forth in the Missoula area and serve as great resources if you are looking to relocate a business, start a business or even expand a business in the Missoula Community.

Montana Technology Enterprise Center

A collaborative effort between The University of Montana and the Missoula Area Economic Development Foundation, the Montana Technology Enterprise Center (MonTEC) is Missoula’s only technology and business incubator. Conceived to bolster local start-ups and to encourage the commercialization of University research, the MonTEC facility currently houses a number of Montana start-up and technology based companies.
1121 E. Broadway
Missoula, MT 59802
(406) 532-3200
www.maedc.org/montec

Missoula Economic Partnership

The Missoula Economic Partnership has recently launched what is called the Best Place Project in Missoula. The project is a five year regional economic growth plan that will focus on the unique opportunities available in Missoula, such as a stable and diverse economy, a growing population, quality schools, state-of-the-art healthcare and a tremendously desired quality of life. Goals of the project include supporting the growth of existing businesses, increasing innovation, entrepreneurship and small business support and attracting new businesses to enhance and diversify the local economic base.
P.O. Box 7475
Missoula, MT 59807
(406) 327-1470
www.bestplaceproject.com  

Missoula Small Business Development Center

Missoula’s Small Business Development Center is located within the Montana Community Development Corporation. They offer support in developing the small businesses that nourish the economic life of small communities in Montana. The staff is dedicated to working with businesses to build the financial, managerial and technical skills they need in order to prosper.
110 E. Broadway #2
Missoula, Mt 59802
(406) 728-9234
www.mtcdc.org

Montana World Trade Center

The Montana World Trade Center (MWTC) is a program of the University of Montana and their purpose is to help Montana businesses establish or strengthen their international commercial capabilities. The Center works to develop the untapped international trade opportunities from the state and region.
University of Montana
Gallagher Business Building #257
Missoula, MT 59812
(406) 243-6982
www.mwtc.org

Business Expansion and Retention Program

Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) is a program aimed to service the area’s businesses and employers that are already in existence. The program consists of a BEAR Resource Advisory Team that meets with business owners in order to learn about their business and gain an understanding of their operations, views on the business climate and what their business goals entail. Based on the meeting, the Resource Advisory Team will help identify opportunities within the organization and recommend the service provider best suited to help facilitate those.
(406) 542-5768
www.missoulabear.com

Bitter Root Economic Development District (BREDD)

The BitterRoot Economic Development District, Inc is the federally designated economic development district for Western Montana Region covering Ravalli, Mineral, and Missoula counties. BREDD is responsible for regional economic development planning and collaborates with various private and public sector agencies to accomplish this goal. BREDD brings together the private and public sectors in a partnership necessary to provide a coordinated strategy and an ongoing economic development program for the region.
317 Woody
Missoula, MT 59802
(406) 258-3435
www.bredd.org

Missoula Chamber - Business Community Development Committee

The Missoula Chamber of Commerce is committed to the betterment of the Missoula community and the mission of this committee is to ‘support regional economic development / gardening efforts by helping grow businesses that are essential to making our community a desirable place to live, work, play and learn.’
825 E. Front St.
Missoula, MT 59802
(406) 543-6623
www.missoulachamber.com