[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px 0px 35px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]

The Montana Chamber of Commerce unveiled its ten-year strategic plan, Envision 2026, to the public on October 27 in Billings during the Chamber’s Annual Meeting Luncheon. The plan focuses on workforce development, improving Montana’s business climate, and infrastructure investment.

[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]”This is about igniting sustained economic growth in our state,” said Webb Brown, Montana Chamber President and CEO.

The business community is embracing Envision 2026. Early investors have already invested more than $800,000 to fund the first five years of the plan’s initiatives. The Chamber’s 5-year goal is $1 million.

Top investors to date include BNSF Railway, First Interstate BancSystem, Stockman Bank, NorthWestern Energy, PacificSource Health Plans, US Bank, Sletten Construction, and BlueCross BlueShield of Montana. Nearly 30 additional Montana businesses have invested in Envision 2026 as well.

“Achieving the overall goal of strengthening Montana’s business climate will not be easy and will not be free,” stated Ed Garding of First Interstate Bank, and Honorary Chair of Envision 2026. “It is gratifying to see Montana’s business leaders rally behind this great plan.”[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text style=”margin-top:15px;”][/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text style=”margin-top: 15px;”]The plan has specific objectives and goals to move Montana up the national ranks in multiple categories and national studies. To measure progress, the Chamber has adopted a number of metrics and benchmarks such as:

• Improving Montana’s ranking among US States in the Institute for Legal Reform’s Legal Environment Index from #34 to the top 10.
• Improving Montana’s worker’s compensation ranking among US States in NASI’s Worker’s Compensation Analysis from 48th to among the top 25.
• Improving Montana’s grade among US States in the ASCE Infrastructure Report Card from Censuring

that Montana businesses have a reliable talent stream is such an important objective of Envision 2026 as well. Every year, the Chamber plans to conduct an in-depth workforce analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of Montana’s talent pool. As a result, the Montana Chamber will adopt public policy positions that will be designed to underscore our workforce strengths and resolve areas of weakness.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]

CLICK BELOW TO view full details of envision 2026

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