montana business assistance connection

MENTORING COMPANIES
TO MAXIMIZE POTENTIAL AND
GAIN ACCESS TO CAPITAL

Lewis & Clark Brewery
helena, montana

montana business assistance connection

MENTORING COMPANIES

TO MAXIMIZE POTENTIAL AND

GAIN ACCESS TO CAPITAL

Edge Marketing + Design
helena, montana

2021 Helena Area Labor Report

Being the state capitol, Helena has historically weathered recessions well. Eighteen months since the start of the pandemic, regional unemployment is back to pre-pandemic levels, and Helena continues to attract young professionals, specialized manufacturing operations, tech companies, and outdoor enthusiasts.
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The Helena area labor market is unique due to its large concentration of high-wage jobs and a more educated workforce compared to the rest of the state.
Lewis & Clark County’s largest private industries are healthcare, trade (retail and wholesale), and leisure activities. Our healthcare field is rising as we have seen St. Peter’s Health expand into Townsend and have attracted another regional healthcare leader, Benefis Health Systems, to our community.
Manufacturing and construction have been the fastest growing industries and will continue to grow. Some of our leading manufacturers include Ash Grove and American Chemet, specializing in high industry products.
Helena has the second-highest share of high-tech jobs behind Gallatin county, which makes up 6% of our private sector and payer higher than the average wage at about $78,600. A few of our leading high-tech employers include SoFi, Figure, and Anderson ZurMuehlen.
Helena area employment dropped by 6-7% at the trough of the recession, less than half the national drop. Employment in Helena reached pre-recession levels in March 2021, a month before the rest of the state.
Helena has done a great job investing in schools, caring for its community, and being home to many natural resources and amenities that provide residents with a high quality of life.
Office and administration will have the most job openings in the next ten years.
Opportunities for remote work abounds in Helena. Remote work surged in 2020 due to health concerns and stay-at-home orders. One estimate suggests 45% of Lewis & Clark County’s jobs have the potential to be remote.
66% of Lewis and Clark County's population is in the workforce, higher than the statewide average.

the mbac region:

Lewis and Clark, Broadwater, and Meagher Counties

67,000

people

42,000

employed workers

3,500

businesses

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Post COVID Grant & Loan Applications

by | November 30, 2021 | News | 0 Comments

  What is the 2021 City of Helena Loan/Grant Program? To assist Helena entrepreneurs in growing and improving businesses, MBAC has secured funding from the City of Helena to assist small businesses in completing projects with an 80% loan and 20% grant. The range of...
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FILLED » Community and Economic Development Coordinator

by | August 20, 2021 | Career Opportunity | 0 Comments

MBAC is looking for a dynamic, self-starting professional to join the Montana Business Assistance Connection (MBAC) team as a Community and Economic Development Coordinator. MBAC works to catalyze community and business projects throughout the MBAC/Gateway Region:...
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FILLED » AmeriCorps Planning Grant Coordinator

by | August 20, 2021 | Career Opportunity | 0 Comments

The position funded by this planning grant will work closely with the Governor’s Office of Community Service, MBAC and Montana Economic Developers Association to investigate the creation of a state wide Economic Opportunity Corps (EOC). The EOC will work with regional...
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Introducing New Staff – Summer 2021

by | July 28, 2021 | News | 0 Comments

Charmayne Kaminski,Loan OfficerCharmayne Kaminski joins the MBAC team as a Loan Officer. Charmayne grew up in Helena and received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Montana State University – Bozeman. She has worked in the banking industry for over a decade as a...
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Request for Proposal – Lincoln, MT Community Master Plan

by | July 27, 2021 | Career Opportunity | 0 Comments

  RFP Summary. MBAC is currently working with the community of Lincoln, Montana, on a downtown master plan. The community is requesting the assistance of a qualified firm to develop a master plan to guide local decision-makers, ensuring that the community can grow...
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FILLED » Rural Community Development Coordinator

by | January 15, 2021 | Career Opportunity | 0 Comments

The MBAC/GEDD Rural Community Development Coordinator is a full-time position that will work in Broadwater and Meagher Counties and report to and assists the MBAC Executive Director. This position promotes economic vitality in the rural communities of White Sulphur...
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FILLED » MBAC Loan Officer

by | January 15, 2021 | Career Opportunity | 0 Comments

The MBAC Loan Officer is a full-time position that will report to and assist the MBAC Director of Lending with promoting, managing and growing a commercial and alternative energy loan portfolio using revolving loan funds ("RLF") comprised of federal, state, county,...
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Memories Leading to the Future for Showdown Montana

by | October 12, 2020 | News | 0 Comments

One of Katie Boedecker’s first memories of growing up in Showdown Montana is waking up to the sound of ski boots trudging through the lodge. Katie’s family has owned and operated the Showdown ski area for almost half a century. Living in Showdown allowed her to learn...
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Welcome Helena WINS Director: McKinley Winkle

by | August 25, 2020 | News | 0 Comments

McKinley Winkle,Helena WINS Director McKinley Winkle is a Helena native and attended Capital High School before graduating from Montana State with honors in 2020. McKinley received a B.S in Business Marketing as well as cheered and served on the Student Athlete...
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MBAC Welcomes New Staff

by | April 25, 2020 | News | 0 Comments

Anne Pichette, Community Development Manager Raised in Helena, Anne Pichette has been working in State and local government positions for nearly two decades. In addition to her degree in economics, she has been working in community and economic development...
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March 2020 Newsletter

by | March 10, 2020 | News | 0 Comments

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December 2019 Newsletter

by | December 3, 2019 | News | 0 Comments

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an entrepreneur isn’t someone who owns a business.

It’s someone who makes thiNGS happen.

TIM FERRISS, 4-HOUR WORKWEEK AUTHOR