Missoula Economic Partnership

Workforce development program: missoula economic partnership's workforce development program aims to foster inclusive economic growth by improving access to quality jobs and supporting workforce resilience. In 2024, mep led missoula's participation in the national league of cities' good jobs, great cities academy, a yearlong initiative focused on advancing equitable employment opportunities. Following the closures of roseburg forest products and pyramid mountain lumber, mep convened more than 30 public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders to assess the economic impact and explore redevelopment strategies, worker support, and long-term sustainability for the wood products industry. Mep also continues to work closely with investors to identify new opportunities in this sector. In addition, mep played a key role in the clean energy workforce coalition, which earned national recognition and funding to launch a clean energy training program at missoula college. This initiative, focused on creating pathways for low-income women, reflects mep's commitment to inclusive workforce development and industry diversification. Mep's workforce development program collaborates with private sector stakeholders, educational institutions, and peer organizations. The program focuses on expanding career pathways, incumbent worker training, talent retention, and attraction.

Land development program:the missoula economic partnership's land development program supports strategic redevelopment and infrastructure coordination to advance housing, commercial space, and public amenities. In 2024, mep played a key role in advancing the midtown master plan by working with private landowners and development partners to unlock brownfield sites. This effort contributed to the city of missoula entering into a purchase and sale agreement for 10 acres south of southgate mall-opening the door for potential housing, park space, and transportation connectivity. Mep also continued its support of the old library block redevelopment by collaborating with the city's selected developers, dechase miksis and edlen & co., to attract capital and business partners. This included facilitating introductions to grocers, childcare providers, and retailers to help shape a project aligned with community needs. Additionally, mep founded the missoula infrastructure coalition, a quarterly convening of industry leaders and public agencies focused on addressing long-term infrastructure challenges and improving coordination across sectors to support sustainable growth throughout missoula county.

Communications and engagement program:mep's communications and engagement program strengthens community awareness and involvement around economic issues and opportunities. In 2024, mep's bi-monthly newsletter, the indicator, reached 800+ subscribers and maintained a 60% engagement rate-well above industry standards. Mep also continued its monthly econ 101 radio segment on kgvo newstalk, reaching over 20,000 listeners across missoula and ravalli counties with timely discussions on topics such as housing, infrastructure, and workforce needs. Mep facilitated two high-level listening sessions at the request of senator jon tester and the federal reserve bank of minneapolis, allowing local business leaders to directly share their economic concerns with federal policymakers. In addition, mep launched a new event series-fast action conversations-with an inaugural session on the economic impact of homelessness, featuring expert panelists and findings from a commissioned study by dr. Bryce ward. These initiatives reflect mep's commitment to fostering open dialogue, informed decision-making, and inclusive economic development.