According to a recent study conducted by the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research, Montana High Tech Business Alliance members were responsible for over a billion dollars in revenues for the first time. Executive Director Christina Henderson says high tech is the fastest growing industry in the state and more jobs are being created in Montana as a result.

“This industry is also growing at rates seven times faster than the statewide economy, paying average wages of $60,000 which is twice the median income,” said Henderson. “Member Company has planned to add almost 1000 new jobs in 2017. This is great news for Montana.”

Henderson says that most people are under the assumption that in order to get a high paying job you need to leave Montana after graduating. She says that a lot of people are unaware about the growth that is happening with Montana companies.

“Part of our challenge is educational I think and getting the word out to the community, to young people, to make Montanans who had to leave the state want to come back,” Henderson said. “We do have great job opportunities here, working in really interesting high tech fields that pay competitive wages. We would love to have those folks fill those jobs.”

According to Henderson, the biggest thing holding the high tech industry back is finding enough talent.

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