Full Consultant Report: THE BEST PLACE PROJECT – Missoula, Montana’s Five-Year Economic Development Strategy

Missoula and Missoula County comprise a vibrant region that offers residents and
businesses a variety of assets and opportunities. An excellent quality of life, state of the
art healthcare, quality schools, the University of Montana and a stable and diverse
economy are just some of the attributes that make the greater Missoula area a great
place to live, work, and raise a family.

But despite these advantages, most would agree
that there is far greater potential for economic growth and prosperity. Perceiving a need
for a more aggressive approach to economic development, a group of business and
community leaders, led by Mayor John Engen, have proposed The Best Place Project –
a multi-year, public / private partnership intended to attract and retain jobs and
companies in order to improve Missoula’s economic future.

National Community Development Services, Inc. (NCDS) was retained to conduct a
feasibility analysis and goal assessment for The Best Place Project to determine the
broader community’s opinion’s about the proposed economic development effort and to
gauge the potential level of financial support for its implementation. NCDS conducted 85
confidential interviews with business and community leaders representing 73
organizations, between March 15 and April 8, 2010. Using a carefully designed
questionnaire (Exhibit D), the interviews attempted to elicit candid opinions and
feedback regarding:

• Local economic conditions and Missoula’s assets and weaknesses for
economic development.

• Perceptions of the area’s economic development activities and efforts to
attract new businesses and help existing businesses expand and thrive,
and opinions about how to best measure economic development success.

• Perception of the proposed Missoula Best Place Project strategies.

• Potential levels of financial support for this initiative.

• Candidates for campaign leadership.

• Other issues that could influence campaign outcomes.

The following is a brief summary of the most pertinent findings and recommendations:

Tom DiFiore
President

James Grunke
Project Director

National Community Development Services, Inc. (NCDS), http://www.ncdsinc.net/index.html

Full Report: http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/missoulian.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/9/24/38c/92438cd0-6090-11df-8f53-001cc4c03286.pdf.pdf?_dc=1273976006