Last year, we started the Montana High Tech Business Alliance, the first-ever organization dedicated to representing high tech and high tech manufacturing businesses in the state. In just over a year, the alliance has reached 200 member firms and currently represents about 10% – 15% of our state economy, according to BBER at the University of Montana. That is a long way from the humble beginnings of RightNow in an extra bedroom of our Bozeman home almost 20 years ago.
The high tech and manufacturing sector is the fastest growing industry sector in Montana, creating job opportunities for Montanans that are twice the state median salary at just over $50,000 each. And at the current growth rate of 8 – 10 times the state average, high tech and manufacturing will pass both agriculture and tourism in less than five years to add more diversity and robustness to our economy.
Although “Montana high tech” (not an oxymoron!) started in Bozeman, it is spreading across the state, with two thirds of Alliance members in Missoula, Lewistown, Helena, Dillon, Kalispell, Livingston, Great Falls, Billings, and other communities.
Plus high tech is not just for techies! Most tech companies need more sales people, marketing staff, and accountants than techies. And when high wage jobs are created in a community, home construction is sparked. In Gallatin county alone there was $104M increase in payroll last year (almost 40% of the state total) and $27M of that total was an increase in construction payroll.
As founder and Chairman of the MHTBA Board of Directors, I get to see firsthand the growth and success of the Alliance. We meet yesterday with CEOs of member firms to celebrate our progress and to discuss how to accelerate growth. You can learn more about the Alliance at mthightech.org. Jobs with member firms are listed on the site as well.
July 24, 2015 @ 12:34 pm
Great to see! But wow~this image highlights the fact that the tech industry is still primarily male-dominated.
July 25, 2015 @ 9:15 am
We have a number of great women owned businesses in the Alliance like Sherri Davidoff at LMG and Paige Williams at Audience Awards, but we need more!
The picture also shows that many Alliance members don’t waste energy growing hair.
July 24, 2015 @ 1:37 pm
Greg: The Montana Business Alliance is impressive. Press on.
Gary and Joan
July 24, 2015 @ 7:02 pm
The Bitterrrot valley needs to support this program as they move forward on a TEDD in the county.
The opportunity that a successful TEDD(Targeted Economic Development District) would give Bitterroot citizens, with huge positive impact upon our youth and their futures, a giant step into the 21st Century. Imagine the Bitterroot as being a place of economic prosperity and a destination not just for tourism but for emergi companies, young families and still a beautiful, rural community to live and retire in.
I I worked very hard to help get this project rolling and I am very happy to see our current commission continue their commitment to this project. I sincerely hope that the property owners see the benefit to them supporting this project. with the infrastructure improvements their entire property will increase in value, the citizens making better incomes mean more people have money to spend on new homes, new cars and more tax income for state and local services is a win win for all.
i am sure that there will be a strident liberal, no growth, no jobs, no families crowd who values are so self serving and short sighted that they oppose anything that might encourage new citizens to join our community but I sincerely hope that those voices will be ignored and that our valley will participate in this opportunity being promoted by our commission and the 200 businesses who seek a better future for all Montanans.
July 27, 2015 @ 12:53 pm
Another big score, Greg! Impressive results and a big win for Montana. I love your approach to increasing jobs in the state….broad based and inclusive of all areas of the state. You have a plan, not a promise!