Pocketbook Matters - Working
Local and state organizations can answer questions and provide information to individuals who own their own businesses or are thinking about starting one.
• Bureau of Business and Economic Research. University of Montana, Missoula, 59812. 243-5113. A source of economic and demographic information at the state and local level. Also provides research and survey studies, holds annual economic outlook seminars at locations throughout the state and publishes the Montana Business Quarterly, a publication dealing with Montana businesses and the economy.
• Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce. Van Buren and Front streets. 543-6623. A nonprofit business organization that represents the business community.
• Missoula Area Economic Development Corp. MonTech Building, 1121 E. Broadway. 728-3337. A nonprofit local development corporation engaged in activities that encourage economic development.
• Missoula Convention and Visitors Bureau. MonTEC Building, 1121 E. Broadway, Suite 103. 532-3250. www.missoulacvb.org. This organization markets the city of Missoula to promote regional, national and international tourism and conferences. The MCVB also provides information, assistance and support to tourists and groups organizing conferences. For detailed information on Missoula and the surrounding area and current calendar of events, visit the Web site.
• Missoula Downtown Association. 543-4238. www.missouladowntown.com. The association works to promote, support and enhance the vitality of downtown Missoula. The member-based organization produces Out to Lunch and Downtown ToNight, manages the Caras Park Pavilion, administers downtown’s flower baskets and banners and is responsible for the general marketing and promotion of downtown.
• Missoula Workforce Center-Job Service. 539 S. Third St. W., Missoula 59801, P. O. Box 5027, Missoula 59806. 728-7060. E-mail: MissoulaJSC@mt.gov, Web site: employmissoula.com. Customized business consultant services assist employers in developing and ensuring their human resource systems are sound, fair and legal. Assistance covers such topics as employee handbooks, personnel policies, job analysis, job descriptions, recruitment and selection, employee appraisals and training on a variety of employment topics. Brochures, labor law posters and other employment publications are available free of charge. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays. Closed on public holidays.
• Montana Associated Technology Roundtables. Contact Russ Fletcher, 542-9395. russ@matr.net, www.matr.net. Provides networking and information opportunities to the entrepreneurs, investors and professionals of Montana and the Inland Northwest region. Roundtables are informal networking organizations in the cities of Montana whose participants include entrepreneurs, business professionals, educators, government officials, retirees and students in the state.
• Montana Business Connections: The Entrepreneurship Center. Central office is 242 Gallagher Building, University of Montana, Missoula 59812. 243-4009. www.mbc.umt.edu. The center provides electronically accessible services, including a calendar of events of interest to Montana businesses and a database of business resources targeted to business-assistance providers statewide.
• Montana Community Development Corp. and the Small Business Development Center. 110 E. Broadway, second floor. 728-9234. www.mtcdc.org. MCDC, together with the SBDC, offers support to small businesses in the form of training, business planning and financing.
• U.S. Small Business Administration. Contact the Helena office. (406) 441-1081. Provides business-counseling services, as well as financing through participating financial institutions.
Looking for a job?
Organizations in Missoula can provide training and assist in a search for employment.
• Human Resource Council. 1801 S. Higgins Ave. 728-3710. Helps provide employment and training and other opportunities for low-income people between the ages of 14 and 21.
• Job Corps. 539 S. Third St. W., Missoula. 542-5745. Vocational training program for people ages 16 through 24. Federally funded by Department of Labor. While living on a Job Corps campus of their choice, applicants choose a vocational training program. Students work toward GED and high school diplomas while in Job Corps, if they have not yet earned this. Zero tolerance for drugs, alcohol and violence. Applicants apply through a local admissions counselor. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Missoula Workforce Center- Job Service. 539 S. Third St. W., Missoula 59801, P.O. Box 5027, Missoula 59806. 728-7060. E-mail: MissoulaJSC@mt.gov, Web site: employmissoula.com. Public employment service providing job placement, job-training programs, veteran representatives, employment counseling, and more than 800 proficiency tests including keyboarding, software applications, spelling, math, and 10-key. Listings include private sector jobs and announcements for state, university, county, city and other government-related job vacancies. Provides public resource center with access to the Internet, word processing, resume programs and career exploration. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Tuesdays. Closed on public holidays.
• Montana Jobs Network. Montana’s professional talent portal. Also, Come Home Montana and Montana Business Culture 101, Web-based soft-skills training. On the Web at www.montana-jobs.net. 4655 Watt Lane, Stevensville, 59870. E-mail: support@montana-jobs.net. Executive director, Julie Foster. 777-7185.
• MontanaWorks. 316 N. Third St., Suite 106, Hamilton 59840. 363-7700, 243-4134. Helps people with disabilities find employment in the Bitterroot. MontanaWorks is affiliated with the Rural Institute on Disabilities at the University of Montana and promotes best practices in wage and self-employment options.
• WORCcenter. Community Medical Center, 607 S.W. Higgins Ave., Missoula. 327-4345. The Work, Occupational Readiness and Consultation Center provides testing, treatment and placement services for people with disabilities.
• VA Vocational Rehabilitation. Palmer Professional Park, 2681 Palmer St., Suite N, Missoula, MT 59808. 721-0628, Fax 721-3762.