The city of Bozeman, Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce and Montana State University have teamed up to create a website they hope will make it easier for businesses to open or expand in the Gallatin Valley.
Gallatin Business Resource Network, www.gbrn.org, was launched Monday, said Brit Fontenot, city economic development director.
The website is intended to be a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs both here and far away to find information to help them start a business, grow an existing business or move their business here.
“The idea was that we knew that there were a lot of business resources out there locally, but there was no one place you could go to find out about them,” Fontenot said Wednesday.
The new website lists about 50 or 60 different resources such as the nonprofit SCORE, Service Corps of Retired Executives, which is a network of local business people who offer confidential, free consultations. SCORE members answer questions on topics ranging from how to develop a concept for a new business to how to get financing.
Montana State University junior John McGlenn interned for the city this summer and helped put the website together. McGlenn, a Vermont resident, is studying economics and computer science at MSU’s College of Business. He received class credits for his internship. He was not paid. McGlenn is one of two MSU interns working for the city for Fontenot this summer.
McGlenn said the new website creates a shortcut for business representatives. For example, a store owner in New York looking to open another store out West could find information about the Gallatin Valley’s economy, permitting process and more with just a few clicks.
McGlenn said plans are in the works to develop a cellphone application so business folks could access the website on the go.
The chamber helped McGlenn compile the resources to post on the website, and MSU designed and hosted the site online, Fontenot said.
Creating such a website was initially recommended by Bozeman’s Economic Development Council, formed last year to advise the Bozeman City Commission.
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______________________
Jason Frey
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PureWest, Inc.
jason.frey@purewestproperties.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonfreylifewideopen
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