MARTZ UNVEILS "BUSINESS MONTANA"
Gives CPA's First Look at New Business Marketing Materials

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2001
CONTACT: Shane M. Hedges
Governor’s Office
406-444-3111

Great Falls, Montana - Fulfilling her major campaign promise to move forward economic development efforts in her office, Governor Judy Martz unveiled the marketing plan for her new Office of Economic Opportunity at the convention of the Montana Society of CPA's in Great Falls today. "Business Montana" will open after July 1 and will be headed by the Chief Business Officer Martz is currently recruiting.

"You make no mistake, I am so serious about job creation and economic growth that I'm making sure the responsibility lies directly at my feet. I will not leave this office without making Montana a more business friendly place," said Martz. "We'll accomplish our objectives by continuing to make economic growth, education funding, energy development and tax reform our top priorities."

Martz pointed out that her objective is to "put Montana 'on the business map', and turn the state's well-known image as a great vacation destination into an equally recognized business location.

"Our new approach cannot be just about improving Montana's entrepreneurial image. It will be mostly about action," said Martz, indicating that creating higher paying jobs, lowering marginal income tax rates, improving educational opportunities and securing affordable, reliable energy are her focus for the new office.

Governor Martz told the CPA's that "world is a highly competitive environment these days. I think that we would all agree that Montana is a great place to live. Now our challenge is to prove that Montana is also a great place to do business."

Martz and the Department of Commerce hired Wendt-Kochman, a Great Falls based firm, to design the new marketing campaign. The promotional campaign was carefully designed after a in-depth study which included surveying surrounding states. The materials which make up the campaign all share the same full-color graphics and professional look. A specially designed website is an important part of the plan. Although Martz demonstrated the features of the site during her presenation, it will not be on-line for the public until mid-July.

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