Montana West Economic Development Receives Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council

Jobs Now, Inc. dba Montana West Economic Development https://mwed.wpengine.com/ received a Silver Excellence in Economic Development Award for its Making Montana, a project in the category of Special Event of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

The honor was presented at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, October 2, during the IEDC Annual Conference, which was held September 29 – October 3, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

Making Montana, a two-day festival of invention and resourcefulness, brought together a unique network of businesses, economic development organization and learning institutions for the benefit of local businesses and students for the purpose of workforce retention and industry growth in the Flathead Valley. Manufacturers, tech companies, community college science and tech departments and local innovators/makers created interactive exhibits to engage students and the community that showcased the 21st Century Skills required in today’s job markets. Making Montana was created in response to manufacturers’ challenges in finding the workforce they needed with the necessary skills to thrive in a tech-driven manufacturing environment, and the concern expressed by both teachers and business owners about communication gap between educators and employers. We aimed to increase in awareness of products produced locally, the skills and education required to make those products, and how the rapid changes in technology are impacting the work environment in local enterprises.

Creating communication bridges between industry and education circles was a necessary strategy to attain the goals of Making Montana. Exposing the innovative products and career opportunities being created in the Flathead Valley to a larger audience was the happy result of our efforts.

"This year our judges reviewed some extraordinary projects that advanced both communities and businesses. We congratulate all the award winners, and thank everyone who nominated their projects for sharing their success with fellow IEDC members. What we learn from each other helps us to grow and advance as a profession. We look forward to even greater participation from economic developers across the globe in the 2019 awards program." -Craig Richard, CEcD, FM, President and CEO, Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation located in Tampa, Florida, and 2018 IEDC Board Chair.

About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is the world’s largest membership organization for economic development professionals. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life in their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, our members represent the entire range of economic development. Learn more at http://www.iedconline.org.