Montana Associated Technology Roundtable

Nonresidents spend over $5 billion in Montana each year. This report examines the distribution of spending across Montana’s six travel regions and among the 19 of the 56 counties with the highest spending, based on an average of 2024 and 2025 spending data.

Nestled along the Missouri River, Great Falls blends outdoor access, affordability and opportunity in a way few communities can. Here, career growth doesn’t come at the expense of quality of life. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a community that supports new ideas, Great Falls continues to attract people ready to work, live and grow in Montana. See why people are choosing Great Falls! Gain access to entrepreneurial resources and support at GrowGreatFalls.org.

We recorded this conversation with Gary Vaynerchuk several years ago, but it’s remarkable how well it has held up. Since then, Gary has continued to grow his influence as an entrepreneur, investor, marketer, and one of the most recognizable voices in business. Listening back, you’ll hear many of the ideas that shaped his success long before they became mainstream—from building authentic communities and adapting to new platforms to playing the long game in business.

Approximately 47% of renters in Missoula are cost-burdened, meaning that rent takes up more than a third of their income. Panelists pondered the state of Missoula’s rental environment, what challenges are facing renters and what paths forward are available to the public Monday during a City Club panel. What does it mean to rent in Missoula in 2026? From affordability and availability to stability and quality of life, renting plays a major role in our community’s housing landscape.

Vermont aims to build 30,000 new homes by 2030 using pre-approved infill housing designs. The Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development, building on South Bend, Indiana’s success with over 500 homes in the last three or four years, is piloting “gentle infill” strategies statewide. These approaches focus on constructing smaller homes on vacant lots within existing neighborhoods to address housing shortages structurally constrained by legacy zoning and infrastructure costs.

The Missoula Chamber of Commerce advances the quality of life in Missoula by advocating for a healthy, responsible & diverse business environment & by providing resources that help businesses succeed. Contact Sharon Morren, Director of Membership, to join.

Whether you’re just getting started, looking for new customers, wanting to grow sales through e-commerce, or focusing on workforce; WE CAN HELP!

Teleoperated humanoid robots have performed live surgeries for the first time, signaling a shift in surgical practice. Surgeons at UC San Diego successfully conducted live surgical procedures using two humanoid robots, marking a milestone toward integrated operating rooms where humans and robots collaborate. This development addresses structural challenges in surgery by potentially reducing costs, space requirements, and staffing shortages.

Bozeman’s new interactive accessibility map identifies 39 accessible parking spaces downtown. Montana State University students, the City of Bozeman, and Ability Montana collaborated to launch a digital tool that improves navigation for people with disabilities. This initiative addresses structural barriers in urban mobility and could influence similar projects statewide.

Electric vehicle battery recycling costs often exceed battery values, challenging salvage yards nationwide. Colorado’s new law mandates that manufacturers assume responsibility for recycling EV batteries, potentially addressing a structural economic imbalance in the industry. This legislation could reshape how the sector manages end-of-life batteries and mineral recovery.