Senator Baucus Kicks Off 2013 Ambassadors Tour in Kalispell

Senator Announces Major Investment from German Company to Train FVCC Students for High-Tech Jobs of the Future, Leads Global Trading Partners on Tour of High-Quality Montana Manufacturing Facility, after Connecting Local Business Leaders with Global Markets

Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus kicked off his 2013 Ambassadors Tour in Kalispell this morning with a major announcement from German Ambassador to the United States Peter Ammon: Global technology leader, Siemens PLM Software, based in Germany, is awarding $46 million worth of software to Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) in order to train Montana students for the high-tech jobs of the future.

Baucus laid the groundwork http://www.baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1164 for today’s award when he met with Siemens during a trade mission to Germany in 2012.

"This software will help FVCC train the next generation of scientists, engineers, and business leaders right here in Montana," Baucus said. "Siemens has nearly 300 manufacturing locations worldwide and leveraging their know-how and experience for Montana workers will help us maximize high-tech manufacturing jobs in our state."

"FVCC is committed to providing Montana students with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in today’s job market," said FVCC President Jane Karas. "Siemen’s investment will help us train even more Montanans to fill the high-paying, high-tech jobs of the future."

The software Siemens is awarding to FVCC will help students become proficient with technology that is used by many of the world’s leading manufacturing, architectural and construction companies. The in-kind grant has a commercial value of $46 million.

Baucus and Ammon made the announcement during a meeting with local area business leaders hosted by the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce.

"Flathead-area businesses are doing exciting things in everything from high-tech manufacturing to tourism. Boosting the pool of high-tech workers trained right here at FVCC is a big win for our local economy. And the opportunity for local employers to meet directly with leaders from global markets during Max’s Ambassadors Tour will open the door for exciting new opportunities to create jobs in the Flathead Valley," said Kalispell Chamber of Commerce President Joe Unterreiner.

The meeting was held at Kalispell manufacturer Applied Materials http://www.appliedmaterials.com/about/company . Applied Materials and FVCC partnered together in the past to develop an innovative training program to help grow small manufacturing. Baucus secured a $3.6 million grant to support that effort.

Following the meeting, Baucus led Ammon, along with Ambassadors from China, Japan and Peru on a tour of Applied Materials, which employs 550 Montanans in its three facilities in the Libby and Kalispell areas.

Applied Materials manufactures technology and parts used in the semiconductor, flat panel display and solar photovoltaic industries, making innovations like smartphones, flat screen TVs and solar panels more affordable and accessible to consumers and businesses around the world. Companies in Japan, China, and Germany buy products from Applied Materials.

Last year, Montana exported $219.4 million of industrial machinery and semiconductor devices, making it Montana’s 4th largest export category.

"Manufacturing has been a bright spot for Montana throughout this tough economy," Baucus said. "Showcasing our top-notch facilities and unbeatable quality for some of the world’s most important trading partners will help create new opportunities to sell Montana products across the globe and support jobs here at home."

"This is an incredible opportunity to show the world what our Applied Materials Montana facility has to offer. Opening the door to markets around the world is critical to helping us grow our business and support local jobs," said Applied Materials Vice President and General Manager Bill McClintock.

Later today, Baucus’ Ambassadors Tour will travel to Missoula to visit another top-quality Montana manufacturing facility, Sun Mountain Sports.

Additional Background on Baucus’ 2013 Ambassador’s Tour

Baucus is leading Ambassadors from China, Germany, Japan, Peru, and Canada on a tour of Montana leading up to his 6th Economic Development Summit in Butte, Monday September 16th and Tuesday September 17th.

The Ambassadors Tour will make stops in Kalispell, Missoula, Ovando, Bozeman, Three Forks and Helena before ending in Butte, where the Ambassadors will participate in a panel on creating Montana jobs through international trade.

Along the way Ambassadors will visit Montana manufacturing, research and agriculture facilities, tour a ranch and meet with dozens of Montana business owners hoping to increase markets for their products overseas.

More information on Baucus’ Ambassadors Tour is available HERE. http://www.baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1392

More information on Baucus’ 6th Economic Development Summit is available HERE. http://montanajobssummit.com/