Mansfield Library Subject Guides
printable pdf version
Local/Regional Business Research
Compiled by Steve McCann, Business Librarian,
steve.mccann@umontana.edu, 406-243-4564
SUMMARY Below is a list of resources for doing business research about Montana and the surrounding region. For doing research in other regions, use a web search engine (like Google or Yahoo) to find guides from other academic libraries. Example:
California
and library guide
For physical items, locations are as
follows: INFOCTR: Information Center, main floor; REF: Reference
Stacks, main floor; STX: Circulating Stacks; FICHE: Microfiche
and Microfilm, first floor; GOVDOCS: Government Documents, first floor.
GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
Montana Chamber of Commerce
Links to local chambers of commerce, as well as newsletter links.Montana Census and Economic Information Center
Local statistics, census, demographic and economic information.Montana Natural Resource Information System
Maps, geographic and resource information.Montana Department of Labor and Industry Research and Analysis Bureau
Comprehensive Montana labor market information developed in conjunction with the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Access information pertaining to county profiles, production worker data, industry employment, unemployment rates, prevailing wage rates, projections, labor force trends, comparative rankings, and much more. Comparison data with other states also available. Essential information source for businesses, educators, government agencies, researchers, students and others.Small Business Administration - Montana Regional Office
Resources for small business owners in MontanaTravel Montana
Access research reports, statistics, and general information to help you better understand tourism's role in Montana. These resources were developed by the Montana Promotion Division (Travel Montana and the Montana Film office) to help promote opportunities for improving local communities and businesses as destination sites.
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BUSINESS CENTERS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Bureau of Business and Economic Research [BBER]
BBER researches and collects a wide variety of economic and industry data pertinent to Montana's economy. Several Bureau research programs study the statewide industries of forest products, health care, manufacturing, and oil and gas. Additional program topics range from inflation rates to county demographics to business startup tips.Montana Business Connections
Montana Business Connections is a central clearinghouse for resources and information on business assistance and economic and community development. Contains a calendar of local events, links to additional Montana business resources and statistics, and source of business development assistance. Montana Business Connections is a central clearinghouse for resources and information on business assistance and economic and community development in Montana. Contains a calendar of local events, links to additional Montana business resources and statistics, and source of business development assistance.Montana Associated Technology Roundtables [MATR] Informal networking resource for entrepreneurs and existing companies to regularly share ideas, opportunities and innovations. The MATR page is updated daily with economic and other relevant information from the State, Region and World that can foster increased economic success in Montana. Offers a large library of information organized by categories such as business principals, corporate organization, funding, and marketing techniques.
Montana League of Cities and Towns
The Montana League of Cities and Towns is an incorporated, nonpartisan, nonprofit association of over 120 Montana municipalities. the League has as its sole purpose the cooperative improvement of municipal government in Montana. The Montana League of Cities and Towns acts as a clearinghouse for the cooperative improvement of municipal government in Montana. The League serves as an advisory body in contacts between municipal officials and state and federal governments.Small Business Development Center [SBDC] - Montana
The Montana Small Business Development Centers focus on the creation and retention of small businesses and the jobs these businesses provide in their local communities. Each year, the Montana SBDC network counsels more than 1,500 entrepreneurs and existing business owners through direct assistance and referral. Click SBDC Network Map to find a SBDC center in your area.
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REGIONAL NEWSPAPERS
You can use Factiva to search newspapers within a specific region (once on the webpage click on letter F). However, many local newspapers are available to do browsing and simple searching online, without needing a subscription. The following sites list the websites for individual newspapers: Montana Online Newspapers - Montana Newspaper Association
List of online newspapers from the Montana Newspaper Association. Additional newspaper titles and contact information under Members.Montana Media - Small Business Administration - Montana Regional Office
List of Montana newspapers, TV and radio stations.
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BUSINESS JOURNALS
Western Montana InBusiness (Missoula)
Missoulian quarterly publication, focusing on a specific area of business in Montana.
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REGIONAL NEWSLETTERS
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REGIONAL DIRECTORIES
Rocky Mountain High Technology Directory
REF 338.74 r684Montana Manufacturer's Information System
Under development - creating a central location for listing Montana Manufacturers.Montana Manufacturer's Directory
STX 650.025 M7635 Level 4-Montana CollectionReferenceUSA (Once on the webpage click on letter R)
Lists 12 million companies nationwide as well as residential data, limit searches by location, SIC/NAICS code and company criteria.
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