From Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s office:

(HELENA) – Montana ranks first in the nation for entrepreneurs and is a top spot for economic growth according to a new report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The report – Enterprising States: Creating Jobs, Economic Development, and Prosperity in Challenging Times – looks at the success of state-driven economic development by evaluating state policies, practices, job creation and other economic outputs. It says federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) dollars have helped jumpstart the U.S. economy, but that state efforts will become increasingly important for driving continued economic growth over the next decade.

Montana is noted as a state on the move – with a first place ranking for the category of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Performers and makes the top ten for Overall Growth Performers.

“This is excellent news, but it’s no surprise,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “As a state, Montana is a leader. By nature, Montanans are leaders. We are entrepreneurs – we make smart choices – we do more with less and we make it work. Like the report says, our successes are significant and they’re getting noticed.”

Enterprising States gives nods to the state’s Entrepreneur Development Program, Indianpreneurship programs and Montana Technology Innovation Partnership – all administered by the Montana Department of Commerce.

The report also acknowledges Montana’s streamlined permitting and regulatory processes for new and expanding businesses and the state’s tax and regulation policies implemented to spur the development of new and innovative energy technologies.

Enterprising States Excerpts:
Bolstered by growth in the energy field, especially in renewable wind energy, Montana is well positioned for new job creation. In most cases this job growth will be driven by small to medium-sized knowledge-based enterprises that are attracted to the state for its high quality of life and access to the vast outdoor recreational opportunities.

Montana is a national leader in the field of entrepreneurial activity, garnering a top position for business climate and entrepreneurship in multiple indices. Business start rates and other measures of entrepreneurial activity have remained above national average in the state over the past decade. Montana has worked to create and encourage an environment that sustains such momentum, enacting policies and structures tailored to support business growth and well-being.

While Montana’s energy and mining clusters added a combined 8,400 high-paying jobs to the state since 2002, Montana’s greatest source of national dominance came from the collection of arts, entertainment, recreation, and visitor industries, perhaps a sign that the rest of the nation is beginning to discover the Big Sky country. Montana is also beginning to see the emergence of smaller clusters in chemicals, apparel and textiles, and fabricated metal products.

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