Tesla Founder Elon Musk to Join 6th Montana Economic Development Summit September 16th and 17th in Butte

Senator Unveils One of Forbes’ Most Powerful People in the World Headed to Montana

Montana U.S. Senator Max Baucus continued his ‘Montana Solutions Jobs Tour’ today with a stop in Kalispell to announce additional momentum for the 2013 Montana Economic Development Summit coming up September 16th and 17th in Butte.

"Having one of the most visionary entrepreneurs of our time in Montana will continue to help put our state on the map as a growing hub for technology, innovation and manufacturing. I’m thrilled Elon Musk will be coming to Montana to help make our 6th Montana Economic Development Summit the best yet," said Baucus. "It’s my job to get the right investors in the door, and from there Montana businesses blow them away with all the exciting things they are doing across the state."

Elon Musk has been referred to by Forbes Magazine as one of the most powerful people in the world. http://www.forbes.com/profile/elon-musk/ At 41, the entrepreneur’s credentials include an impressive list of accomplishments from co-founder of PayPal and Tesla Motors to founder and CEO of SpaceX.

During the first leg of Baucus’ ‘Montana Solutions Jobs Tour’ which included a seven city swing in April, Baucus unveiled http://www.baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1288 Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg as a heavy-hitting headliner for the Summit in Butte this Fall. Sandberg was listed among TIME Magazine’s ‘The World’s 100 Most Influential People of 2012.’ http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2111975_2111976_2112093,00.html

Today marked an additional stop on Baucus’ ‘Montana Solutions Jobs Tour’ intended to spark a statewide conversation and action plan for bringing more good-paying jobs to Montana ahead of the Fall Summit. The Montana Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Baucus and businesses across the state to put on this year’s Summit.

"Montana businesses are on the cutting edge of technologies in everything ranging from cloud computing to our natural resources. With Max’s help, we’re going to get some of the biggest names in business right here in Montana to help connect our folks with the resources and investments they need to take their companies to the next level and boost jobs across the state,"said Montana Chamber of Commerce President, Webb Brown.

‘Montana Solutions Jobs Tour’ Stops

* Harlowton & Billings: Baucus Announces ConocoPhillips CEO to Headline 6th Montana Economic Development Summit http://www.baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1280

* Bozeman: Baucus Announces Software Giant Oracle’s Top Brass to Headline 6th Montana Economic Development Summit http://www.baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1283

* Great Falls & Helena: Baucus Announces Boeing CEO to Headline 6th Montana Economic Development Summit http://www.baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1287

* Missoula & Butte: Baucus Announces Facebook COO to Headline 6th Montana Economic Development Summit http://www.baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1288

* Kalispell: Baucus Announces PayPal Co-Founder, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk to Headline 6th Montana Economic Development Summit

Montana businesses are encouraged to register for the Summit and check for updates online:

* Online: http://www.MontanaJobsSummit.com

* On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MontanaJobsSummit

* Follow on Twitter: @MTJobsSummit

Additional Background on Economic Development Summits:

Montana Economic Development Summits are considered the most highly regarded jobs-focused events in Montana. The most recent Summit in 2010 attracted more than 150 businesses and 2,500 participants and featured nearly 40 panels and breakout sessions with entrepreneurs from around the state, business leaders from around the country and ambassadors from around the world.

The Summits feature a top-tier list of keynote speakers along with dozens of panels and breakout sessions designed to bring Montana businesses together with the biggest names in their industries:

· Past headliners have included: Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, along with panelists ranging from Cabinet officials like the U.S. Energy Secretary to Ambassadors from some of Montana’s largest trading partners.

The Summits have a long track record of providing Montana businesses with the connections and resources necessary to create new good-paying jobs:

* Following Baucus’ invitation to top GE officials to visit Montana and participate in his 2007 Economic Development Summit, GE built its Center of Excellence processing center in Billings which currently employs more than 200 workers.

* At the 2010 Summit, GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt met the owners of SeaCast manufacturing in Butte. The resulting partnerships have helped SeaCast grow from 21 to more than 70 employees. And the latest partnership they announced in January is expected to add even more. (Read More) http://www.baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1205

* After attending the 2007 Summit, international grain exporter Bunge build two state-of-the-art, high-speed shuttle loading facilities for Montana-grown grains along the Hi-Line in in Chester and Kyntire Flats. (Read More) http://www.baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=282

* LigoCyte Pharmaceuticals of Bozeman has secured more than $28m in venture capital investments since meeting with investors at Baucus 2007 Summit. (Read More) http://www.baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=414

Baucus has issued three ground rules for the Summits:

1. Nothing is off the table. Think outside the box and do not worry if an idea seems too big, or impractical. Only by thinking big, can we succeed big.

2. No politics. Nothing of consequence ever comes without working together. If folks cannot work together, they will not achieve the goals they have set out. Politics should not get in the way of good ideas.

3. The private sector should drive solutions. Businesses across Big Sky Country are on the cutting edge of innovation – from alternative energy, to the medical industry, to groundbreaking technologies. While the public sector has a role in creating incentives and supporting education and infrastructure, the best ideas come from the American entrepreneur. It is those ideas that will help us create good-paying jobs here in Montana.