Business

A new study by the University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research shows a boom in the state’s high tech sector.

The Montana Secretary of State’s office has been working since spring to create an online business toolkit to speed up the business license application and renewal process. The new system is designed to help business owners navigate the labyrinth of  necessary state documents.

The Montana Public Service Commission has wrapped up its approval of the $900 million purchase of 11 hydroelectric dams by NorthWestern Energy.

Every year since 1989, Montana college and university students have brought their business plans to Missoula for the John Ruffatto Statewide Business Plan Competition. This month, a group of judges composed of entrepreneurs, bankers and business professors crowned a new winner.

USA Today reports that J.C. Penney will close 33 under performing stores and lay off 2,000 employees. Two of those stores are in Montana.

Vann's, Incorporated is closing their stores in Missoula and Hamilton and will be moving their headquarters to Bozeman.

Since 1986, The Learning Tree has been one of the only locally owned toy stores in Missoula. In mid-April, though, The Learning Tree will be closing its doors for good.

The Montana Department of Labor and Industry has seen an usually high number of scams targeting Montana business over the past few months. Now a new deception has been discovered.

The Montana Department of Commerce Office of Tourism is launching a tourism and brand workshop in the Bitterroot valley on Friday, February 3rd. The program is entitled "Coming Together to Expand Montana's Tourism Story" and is designed to help businesses market themselves and grab hold of vital tourism dollars. Every year, 10.5 million visitors travel through Montana and spend over 2 billion in the local economy.