Missoula Economic Partnership

05/14/2026

Montana companies exploring growth, commercialization, and emerging technology opportunities are invited to attend OnRamp Hub: Montana Industry Exchange on May 27 in Missoula.

This program is designed to connect businesses, researchers, manufacturers, startups, and ecosystem partners with Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Montana and provide practical insight into navigating defense innovation opportunities and engagement pathways.

Attendees will hear how commercial and dual-use technologies can align with national security needs, connect with regional partners, and learn more about available support and commercialization resources. Companies that complete pre-engagement steps may also have the opportunity to schedule one-on-one meetings with the OnRamp Hub: Montana team.

Date: May 27
Time: 8:15–11:00 AM
RSVP Here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019dd6420ba27a8581d21d04d81b598d

If your company is developing innovative products, technologies, or capabilities and looking to better understand future opportunities in this space, this is a valuable chance to connect and learn more.

05/12/2026

As customer behavior, technology, and markets continue to shift, businesses are being challenged to think beyond the limits of a physical storefront.

Join Missoula Economic Partnership and the Downtown Missoula Partnership on May 19 for the next Downtown Dialogues conversation: Scaling Beyond Your Storefront.

This discussion will explore how businesses can strengthen their digital presence, expand their reach, and build resilient brands while staying grounded in what makes them unique.

Hear directly from leaders at Bedrock Sandals and Confident Stitch as they share their experiences growing recognizable brands online, alongside insights from digital strategy experts Jill Alban and Matt Sanchez on e-commerce, SEO, branding, and long-term business adaptability.

MEP Business Development Director Christine Littig will emcee the conversation.

Tuesday, May 19
4–6 PM
Residence Inn
125 N. Pattee St.
Let us know you're coming! : https://www.missouladowntown.com/event/downtown-dialogues-future-proof/

Whether you’re actively scaling, refining your online strategy, or simply thinking ahead about the future of your business, this conversation will offer practical insight from people doing the work every day.

04/24/2026

What makes a business more than just a place to buy something?

This month, on MEP's KGVO segment Econ 101, Christine Littig will be joined by Chloe Russell and Markie Russell, co-owners of Funk It Coffee + Thrift and Meg Brooker, co-owner of The Runner’s Edge for a conversation about building business around community, not just product.

Both businesses are rooted in downtown Missoula, where MEP works alongside Missoula Downtown to support a strong business environment. But the ideas behind this conversation reach far beyond any one district or industry.

This episode will explore lessons any business owner can apply: how to build loyalty, create a sense of belonging, strengthen customer relationships, and become part of the fabric of a community.

Whether you own a business, manage one, or care about what it takes for businesses to thrive, this will be a valuable conversation.

AND - for the first time, Econ 101 on KGVO will be airing across Montana!

Join us on air or online!
KGVO NewsTalk 98.3 FM
Tuesday, April 28th at 9:03 AM
Call in with your questions for our experts!

https://newstalkkgvo.com/listen-live/

04/21/2026

The University of Montana’s John Ruffatto Business Startup Challenge continues to serve as a launch point for student-led ventures.

This year’s competition featured a mix of early-stage ideas and businesses already operating in the market, with participants refining their models and pitching to a panel of judges from across the business community.

It’s a snapshot of how emerging entrepreneurs are testing, building, and growing businesses here in Missoula.

Read more:

A panel of 24 evaluators from across Montana meticulously reviewed over 103 submissions, selecting 14 finalists to compete in this year’s event.

04/16/2026

We are thrilled and honored to be recognized by the Missoula Midtown Association as the Nonprofit of the Year!

Recognition like this is meaningful because our work has always been rooted in partnership. We’re proud to be part of a community full of people and organizations working every day to strengthen Missoula’s economy and support its future.

Thank you to the Missoula Midtown Association for this recognition and for the role you play in bringing people together and helping Midtown continue to grow and evolve.

04/09/2026

✅TAKE THE COMMUNITY SURVEY: Missed the Reserve to Scott Master Planning workshop? No problem. You can see the workshop boards on Engage Missoula and share your feedback in Community Survey #1.

Thank you to all who came out last week! Please share the survey--it takes most people around 10 minutes to complete.

👀Workshop Boards: https://www.engagemissoula.com/31923/widgets/113951/documents/79832

📣Community Survey #1:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/reservetoscott1

03/31/2026

Most public input on how an area of Missoula grows happens earlier than many people realize, at the master planning stage.

That’s when the community helps shape the vision and priorities for an entire area, which then helps guide future projects, development, and investment. If you want your voice reflected in what comes next, this is the time to weigh in.

The City of Missoula Redevelopment Agency has launched an area master plan process for the land between North Reserve Street and Scott Street and is inviting the public to share ideas at its first workshop.

Thursday, April 2
5 to 6:30 p.m.
Lowell School, 1215 Phillips St.

The event is open house style, so come when you can. Child care and a light meal will be provided.

Can’t make it? A virtual workshop survey launches April 3 on Engage Missoula.

03/25/2026

Moving into a storefront takes more than finding the right space. It takes planning, a clear understanding of your finances, and confidence in what comes next.

In this video, Missoula Makers Collective shares how working with Missoula Economic Partnership and other partners helped them better understand cash flow as they prepared to move into their own storefront.

It is one of many local business stories we are sharing on MEP’s new YouTube channel. Subscribe to follow more stories about the businesses, people, and work helping shape Missoula’s economy.

Watch and subscribe here:

Missoula Makers Collective didn’t have to leave their original space—but they knew that to grow into the business they envisioned, they’d need to take the ne...

03/19/2026

We’ve started a new YouTube channel, and we’d love to have you join us there.

Our old channel is no longer active, so we’re rebuilding in a new home with videos that highlight Missoula’s business community and the work of Missoula Economic Partnership.

You’ll find stories about local businesses that are growing and evolving in Missoula, along with videos that explain who MEP is, what we do, and how we support business growth in this community.

We’ll keep adding new videos that explore the realities of doing business here, from challenges and opportunities to momentum, investment, and success stories across Missoula’s economy.

Take a look, subscribe, and follow along as we continue telling the story of Missoula’s business landscape.

Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/

03/12/2026

What does it take to future-proof your business?

Join us for Downtown Dialogues: Future-Proofing Your Business!

March 24 from 4 to 6 p.m.
GoodWorks Place, 129 W. Alder St.

This conversation is for businesses at every stage, whether you are considering online sales for the first time, looking to improve what you already have in place, or thinking about how to grow beyond your storefront.

You can expect practical insight, useful takeaways, and the chance to connect with other business owners navigating similar questions.

Downtown Dialogues is a community conversation series that brings together local business owners, leaders, and neighbors to share ideas and perspectives shaping Downtown Missoula.

The series is co-hosted by the Downtown Missoula Partnership (Missoula Downtown) and Missoula Economic Partnership. This session is part one of a two-part series on online sales, with more information on part two coming soon.

RSVP to join us: https://www.missouladowntown.com/event/downtown-dialogues/