Montana Tech Chancellor Don Blackketter and President of Global Development Services and Executive Director of the Montana World Trade Center Arnie Sherman have jointly announced Tapping Opportunity in the Bakken, a business opportunity conference for Montana businesses at Highlands College in Butte on April 26.
Blackketter noted that former Governor Brian Schweitzer will be the Keynote Speaker at the conference: “We are pleased that the Governor will be on campus and can provide insight from his experiences and explore what the future looks like for Montana businesses benefitting from the Bakken.”
Governor Schweitzer said he “was pleased to participate in an effort to create more jobs and growth out of this unique economic development opportunity. The Bakken is a hot spot inside a Montana economy that is already doing well. The job quality and good pay in the Bakken will help push Montana’s average salaries and per capita income up.”
Blackketter also noted how appropriate it was that the conference was being held on Montana Tech’s south campus at Highlands College. “Montana Tech is the leading Montana higher education institution when it comes to energy-related economic activity. Our previous graduates play a big role in the industry and our current students are in extremely high demand because of the high quality education they get at Montana Tech.”
Sherman noted that “for once Montana has a competitive advantage with this global economic boom in our backyard. At the conference, Montana businesses cannot only learn about the Bakken oil boom, but they can explore opportunities to do business in the region. It’s hard to imagine the scale of what is happening in the Bakken. There are shortages of everything from housing and waste disposal to vehicle repairs and equipment. We see opportunities for Montana businesses in sectors like construction, engineering, environmental remediation, finance, hospitality, transportation, water services and more. And we think that some smaller companies could look at banding together to meet the needs up there.”
Sherman also recommended that economic development leaders and financial institutions attend to be able to pass on the opportunities to their clients/customers.
Also participating in the conference will be Tom Rolfstad, Economic Development Director for Williston, North Dakota, the community that is at the center of the Bakken development. “Tom will provide invaluable information to Montana business participants,” Sherman said.
Attendees will leave with a copy of the Business & Investment Guide: Tapping Opportunity in the Bakken, just published by The Montana World Trade Center and the Missoula Economic Partnership, which focuses on business and investment opportunities. The cost to attend for Montana businesses is $149 and seating is limited.
To register online, go to http://tappingthebakken.eventbrite.com
Questions can be sent to seminars@globaldevo.com or by calling 406-243-6930.
The one-day program is not for job seekers.