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Politics still key to Montana’s business environment

January 18, 2008 /

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Bear Paw Development Corporation is a private non-profit organization created for the purpose of administering programs to help improve regional economic conditions in Hill, Blaine, Liberty, Chouteau and Phillips Counties and the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy's Indian Reservations.

The Montana economy is strong, but companies have to maintain a strong presence at the Capitol to keep the tax and regulatory environments as friendly as possible, a business leader said Thursday.

Speaking at the Montana Chamber of Commerce’s http://www.montanachamber.net/ws/home.php annual Business Days at the Capital, Karen Olson Beenken, vice president of Blue Rock Companies in Sidney and president of the Montana Chamber board, said last year’s Legislature came close to several law changes, including amendments to the tax code, that would have hurt Montana businesses.

“The state of business in Montana is strong and financially healthy,” she said. “It hasn’t hurt that the global economy is demanding a lot of our products and services, including natural resources.”

By JOHN HARRINGTON – Independent Record

Full Story: http://helenair.com/articles/2008/01/18/state/101st_080118_statechamber.txt