Fostering a growing economy. New Ravalli County Economic Development Authority director Julie Foster seeks to cultivate healthy businesses and new relationships.
Reader Comments
| December 15, 2005 |  View for printing |
It's Monday morning and Julie Foster already has a half dozen tasks crossed off her lengthy “to do” list.
Having started her new job as executive director of Ravalli County's Economic Development Authority just last week, Foster said she's still getting up to speed. And while her job of cultivating a healthy business climate in the Bitterroot is new, the field of economic development is familiar territory to her.
Foster has lived in the Bitterroot more than 20 years and has spent the last few years piloting Montana Jobs Network http://www.montana-jobs.net and Come Home Montana http://www.comehomemontana.org , both of which were created by her to aid employees and employers in Montana. Before that, the Ohio native owned her own businesses - first, for two years, she ran a monthly community magazine called “Bitterroot Times Almanac,” and later, for five years, she ran Bitterroot Internet before selling it in 2000.
“I know firsthand that it's tough being a small business owner,” she said, “and as a service provider for business customers, I was always interested in how technology could help local businesses.”
Foster spent last week meeting with members of the county EDA, a commissioner-appointed, seven-member board formed eight years ago to boost economic development in Ravalli County. It's a board with which she's intimately familiar.
by ROD DANIEL -Ravalli Republic
Full Story: http://www.ravallirepublic.com/artic ... usiness.txt
Reader Comments:
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I was fortunate enough to have breakfast this morning in Stevensville with Julie to discuss my business needs and goals. Julie listened to me and gave me every indication that she is an advocate for startups that are long on ideas, short on resources but have potential. Ravalli County just made a VERY smart move by hiring Julie Foster. --David
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Warmest congratulations to the Board of the Ravalli County EDA for hiring one of the brightest and most energetic executives that I know. Julie has proven time and time again that she just doesn't know the word "quit". She's been an underpaid champion for Montana for many years as her success with Montana Jobs net and Come Home Montana attest. Her leadership and ability to collaborate will now lead Ravalli County to further economic success. Again, congratulations to all...especially Julie. You go girl!!! --Russ
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Congratulations to Julie and especially to the entire Western Montana region. No doubt about it, Julie is going to make a difference where you live! --Gloria
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Ravalli County is definitely the winner in this transaction. Congratulations to Julie and to the lucky county! Linda Beck --Linda Beck
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