West Yellowstone to Develop Partnerships with Higher Education and Research

The West Yellowstone Economic Development Council (WYED) announced today
that it will be determining the feasibility of diversifying and expanding West Yellowstone’s economy
through development of college oriented partnerships with Universities and Researchers.

WYED will be developing partnerships with Universities on tourism, hospitality, recreation and science
programs through the assistance of Community Matters, an economic development consulting company
from Joliet, MT. West Yellowstone identified the potential for partnerships with universities and
researchers in a community visioning process conducted in 2002.

“The idea is to use West Yellowstone’s exceptional capacity for hosting students to partner with
universities and researchers interested in tourism and hospitality programs, or currently doing research in
Yellowstone National Park,” explained Clyde Seely, Board Member of WYED. “WYED has been working
to help diversify West Yellowstone’s economic base and this project is a good fit for the community,”
Seely stated.

WYED’s College feasibility study is being funded through a grant from the Big Sky Economic
Development Trust Fund with the Department of Commerce and sponsored by the Northern Rocky
Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Area (RC&D), a regional non profit organization that
specializes in assisting communities and businesses with economic and community development efforts.

WYED has and will continue to provide “in kind” services and data for grant-matching purposes. The
study will help West Yellowstone to analyze several options, including partnering with an existing tourismbased
university program, developing facilities to assist researchers with science-based programs in
Yellowstone National Park, and investigating other programs like a Nordic training center.

“West Yellowstone’s economy is heavily impacted by federal decisions on land management. This
project will help them to grow their economy independent of those decisions,” stated Ron Carlstrom, Vice
Chairman of the RC&D. West Yellowstone’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism. It is estimated
that over 2 million tourists travel through West Yellowstone per year.

One such partnership is already in the works. The University of Montana, Western is putting together a
proposal as part of this project to conduct accredited college classes in West Yellowstone. “With the
combination of block scheduling (also known as Experience One) and strong tourism, recreation,
business and equine programs, Montana Western is positioned to meet the needs of the West
Yellowstone area and we look forward to working with the community on the feasibility study," stated
Amberly Pahut, an Instructor in the Business Department for the University of Montana, Western.
The feasibility study will be complete in June, 2007. West Yellowstone hopes to begin hosting university
courses this coming fall.

W Y E D

West Yellowstone Economic Development Council, Inc.

For More Information:

Doug Kehl, Chairman, West Yellowstone Economic Development Council 406-646-0303

Josh Kellar, Coordinator, Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D, 406-582-5700