State agency rolls out program to attract investment, work force

The Governor's Office of Economic Development is unrolling a new program in hopes of attracting outside employees, companies and investment into the vast Montana economy.

John Rogers, chief business development officer from the Governor's Office of Economic Development, led the presentation at Montana West Economic Development in Kalispell on Monday that focused on a few key objectives toward attracting a robust work force. Business representatives from Lincoln to Sanders counties attended the presentation.

“I don't think its any secret that economic development is the biggest issue we're seeing today,” Rogers said.

One of Rogers' concerns is a demographic of baby boomers on the cusp of retirement, many of whom did not plan for retirement because of the recent recession, while their kids' interest in other ventures led them away from succession of the family business.

That group of college and high school graduates heading out of state has left a major hole in the existing Montana work force.

“Our kids want to move to cities with big lights, so we're working against a natural trend there,” Rogers said.

The program looks at reaching out to untapped, in-state work forces like veterans, Native Americans and disabled adults.

The outside recruiting model, meanwhile, targets current students, the 11 million tourists that come here each year and former Montanans who may have left because of a shortage in jobs or wages.

“If this generation wants to live first and then find work, we have a competitive advantage over other states if we connect with companies about that opportunity,” Rogers said.

The presentation recognized that Montana is competing with other states for the same work force it hopes to attract. Four other states already launched similar programs back in October 2014.

“If we don't launch this program, we'll be at a competitive disadvantage,” Rogers said.

Andy Shirtliff, small business ombudsman for the Governor's Office of Economic Development, took the meeting on a tour through the Choose Montana website. The state agency has used the Choose Montana brand for about two years and now the website, which launches this week, is ready to begin incorporating organizations on local levels, like Montana West.

The website functions as a display case for Montana scenery, a wall for job postings and companies, and a home for employment resources around the state.

“We hear all the time that people are leaving because there are no jobs, but Montana is still the number one state for entrepreneurship,” Shirtliff said. “We want to show people that if the job you want is here, you can be your own boss.”

Several listeners pointed to wages as an issue for bringing people into the Montana work force, but Shirtliff pointed out that Montana is currently sixth in the country in wage growth, so that problem is starting to be addressed.

Other issues emerged, like focusing part of the effort on people who don't have college degrees and those who have come to Montana for seasonal work. People pointed to employers like Whitefish Mountain Resort, which employs many people for a few months out of the year.

Kellie Danielson, president of Montana West Economic Development, said it was a productive meeting in coordinating local goals with those of the state.

“The tool is very applicable for our area,” Danielson said. “We can partner with the governor's office and use this program to educate and integrate into the Flathead work force.”

As for business owners nearing retirement, Danielson said Montana West has considered adding for-sale businesses to the list of opportunities for outside investors as part of a strategic plan to add to the Flathead work force in 2016.

“You can sense that this concern is real about the work force, investment, retiring owners and companies,” Shirtliff said. “This is going to be a well-rounded effort; it won't be from one industry or one area of the state.”

Rogers and Shirtliff will continue their Choose Montana rollout tour in Missoula before taking the presentation to the other major seven cities in Montana.

Reporter Seaborn Larson can be reached at 758-4441 or by email at slarson@dailyinterlake.com.