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A new group to help US small towns lead the clean energy transition – National Conference of Small Cities and Rural Mayors

“One small town can be ignored. Thousands of organized small towns become a national constituency.”  — Mayor W. Mondale Robinson, Founding Convener

‘We’ve been screwed’: A wealthy county is overrun with data centers

Loudoun County, Virginia, became the world’s data center capital and became flush with tax dollars that helped cut residents’ taxes and improved schools. Now the county is hitting the pause button.

New Customs Rule Threatens Affordable Canadian Drug Imports

The Trump administration’s suspension of the de minimis exemption complicates access to lower-cost medicines from Canada, potentially raising costs and disrupting supply for millions of Americans relying on cross-border prescriptions.

Helena district receives federal grant to bring locally grown food into schools

Project SCALES, which stands for Supporting Community Agriculture and Local Education Systems, is led by the Montana Partnership to End Childhood Hunger (MT-PECH). Funded by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, each school receives about $12,000 a year to build a nutritional project suited to its community.

MEIC – Data Centers: Threats to Water and Energy Bills

While large data center projects may appear promising at first glance — touting the potential for economic growth and infrastructure investment — the processes that safeguard our environment, electricity bills, public health, and infrastructure are being trampled by the over-eager juggernauts of “opportunity.”

Controversy Clouds Livingston, Montana’s Film Industry Future

“I, as Explore Livingston, am getting messages from people who are not going to come to Livingston because of this film. It doesn’t sound like they would be safe here or welcome,” she said. “We work so hard to describe how welcoming and lovely Livingston is, especially downtown. And now this is the international impression that people have of our town.”

Sublette County, Wyoming Dips Deep Into Reserves Amid Mineral Revenue Drop

Sublette County spent $10 million from reserves in 2025 to cover expenses as mineral tax payments fell sharply. Officials face tough choices balancing essential services with declining oil and gas income and rising costs.

Missoula Economic Partnership’s annual meeting highlights Missoula’s resilient economy

The highlight of the gathering was tied to the keynote speaker, Erick Garcia-Luna, regional economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, who spoke about the economic resilience of Missoula.  View the story for his presentation slides

TikTok Quietly Gutted Its Advertising Rules. Scams Have Exploded Ever Since.

Last year, TikTok’s executives quietly defanged its advertising rules, opening the floodgates to fraudsters that target American users with fake sales of products that never arrive. Sources told Forbes the change was understood internally as a way to make more money.

Wyoming Data Center Project Grows Due to Limited Local Regulatory Control.

“We’re not just talking one data center. We’re talking about many others coming after that,” Thomas said. “It’s like weeds.” The county lacks zoning authority to regulate such projects, prompting commissioners to contemplate new rules.

Localize – America’s local farm marketplace – Where to buy your local beef

Order directly from 30,000+ farms, ranches & butcher shops across all 50 states — meats, produce, dairy, honey & more.

Great Falls Proposing to Host Annual Ironman Races Starting 2027

The Great Falls Tourism Business Improvement District proposes hosting Ironman triathlons for three consecutive years, pending city approval. This initiative could reshape the city’s tourism strategy and bring significant economic benefits.

The 4 next big things in food and agriculture, applied AI, in wellness and fitness, and in consumer tech for 2026

There’s a lot getting developed….

The VBX Keginar series “What Comes After the Transformer?” – Every Thursday Starting 10/8 – Missoula

What is a Keginar, one might ask? It is one part seminar, one part beer, and completely Missoula. All techies and AI-nerds invited!

Are You Positive You’re Registered to Vote??? – Check with the Montana Voter Portal

Now is the time…go online to MT Voter Portal (or voterportal.mt.gov), put in your name and birthday, check your voter registration info, track your ballot and look at your sample ballot. 

Montana Ranch Uses Virtual Fences to Track 1,750 Cattle Amid Wildfires

The Holland family employs satellite-based collars to monitor their herd in remote grazing lands, enabling faster responses to wildfire threats. This technology bypasses connectivity issues and could transform livestock management in Montana’s rugged terrain.

Data Center Moratoriums

Tracking state-level data center legislation across the United States

Missoula County Voice (What are the similar sites in other Montana communities?)

Welcome to Missoula County Voice, Missoula County’s online engagement platform. Local government works best when we hear from community members like you, so please leave comments, participate in surveys and polls and let us know what you think!

CoBuild Montana – We bring people, programs, and mentorship together in one place

CoBuild Montana is focused on solving Montana challenges by developing accessible, replicable solutions that create economic opportunities, jobs, and stronger communities.

The VBX Keginar series “What Comes After the Transformer?” – Every Thursday Starting 10/8 – Missoula

What is a Keginar, one might ask? It is one part seminar, one part beer, and completely Missoula. All techies and AI-nerds invited!

Electric Vehicles Could Power Grids During Peak Demand

European trials show parked EVs returning energy to grids using bidirectional charging technology. Montana businesses may benefit from this innovation despite unique local challenges.

Montana State University Research and Economic Development will be hosting it’s first combined Centers, Institutes, and Core Facilities day on Monday, November 9, 2026.

Join us for the Research and Economic Development Centers, Institutes and Core Facilities Day, an event designed to showcase what Montana State University has to offer in terms of research resources and expertise. We’re bringing together some of MSU’s centers, institutes, and core facilities to highlight the technologies, equipment, and knowledge available across campus.

‘Absolute Blow’: After Nearly 50 Years, Hulett Family Sawmill To Shut Down

After nearly 50 years of operating in Hulett, Bearlodge Forest Products has announced it will shut down after Oct. 31. “This is an absolute blow” to a community with deep ties to Wyoming’s timber industry, says Sen. Ogden Driskill.

Wyoming Industry Leaders Say Manufacturing Jobs Can Stop Youth From Leaving State

Wyoming Business Alliance Dir. Renny McKay says Sheridan is an example of what a manufacturing center can look like.

Ukrainian Kopychyntsi and Bozeman, Montana Officially Become Sister Cities

This partnership did not begin with a document – it is built on four years of working together. Over this time, Bozeman residents have raised funds for Kopychyntsi, while American volunteers have travelled to Ukraine, supported the local hospital and delivered medical equipment. Architects and Montana State University have also joined the cooperation, and one volunteer from Bozeman even stayed to live in Kopychyntsi.

Today a group of us launched Founded Colorado. (This should be a great idea for every state including Montana)

Our mission is straightforward. We make sure Colorado companies are at the table when policy is shaped. We bring real operating experience to proposed laws and to the rules that put them into practice, so they protect Coloradans and work for the Colorado companies that have to comply. We want to be the place lawmakers and partners call when they want a straight answer about how a new idea will play out. Our constituency is all companies based in Colorado.

Loneliness Cuts Nearly Six Years From Healthy Life Expectancy

Get out of the house and talk to people no matter what age you are.

Livingston, Montana city commission temporarily suspends film permit amid controversy

A film production has transformed downtown Livingston, prompting protests and concerns over road closures, access to a local food pantry and the project’s political themes.

Missoula Public Library’s M-CAT offers free podcasting classes and equipment

Neil Wells, a community media mentor and one of the instructors, said the setup gives people access to tools they likely could not buy on their own.

Rural Data Centers Are in for a Big Federal Tax Break

The new rules “may significantly lower barriers for large-scale, capital-intensive projects in rural areas—most notably hyperscale data centers,” said a statement from Ways and Means Committee chair Jason Smith last year. “The economic case for building data centers in designated rural opportunity zones becomes far more compelling” with the new program, he continued.

The surprising downside of high-performing employees

“Being capable is valuable for a long time in your career, but as you elevate into leadership, it becomes much more about building capacity around you,” Cohen says.

Walker Genealogical Research –  Discover Your Heritage and Family History

You want to know your heritage and family history, but you don’t know where to start and don’t have time to research. With my expertise, we’ll find the information to build your tree or solve a family mystery. You’ll receive a report that documents your heritage, and have a legacy to share with your family.

Driverless delivery vans could soon take to French roads

“By paving the way for the official approval of autonomous delivery robots, our country is confirming its position among the most advanced in this field.”

GFDA Top Ten for 10/4/26

Great Falls attracted 1 million visitors in 2025 setting a new record

Missoula’s Great Burn Brewing Needs a New Building. Do you or someone you know have a solution?

Great Burn is losing its building. Does anyone know if there’s anything we can do to stop this?

Heat Killed 16,000 in Germany and 8,000 in France This Summer

According to the latest figures from the Robert Koch Institute, which monitors public health and epidemics, heatwave-related deaths reached 16,000. Of these, data through September 13 show that “around 9,600” deaths occurred during the week of June 22, the hottest week ever recorded in Germany, and “around 4,200” during the three weeks from late July to mid-August.

Beyond Party – Montana First

If we want to keep our republic, we have to work for it.

Headwaters Tech Hub Leadership Transition

I am honored to step into the role of Interim Regional Innovation Officer, and I want to start by thanking Tim VanReken for his great leadership and service to Montana.

MMEC – MANUFACTURING MONTH 2026 – Celebrating Montana Manufacturers

Throughout October, organizations across Montana will host tours, workshops, forums, networking events, and educational programs to connect, learn, and celebrate the impact of #ManufacturinginMT.

Hellgate Venture Network – SAVE THE DATE: October 15th – Monthly Meet-Up

We thank you for your support of entrepreneurship in the Missoula area and beyond.