News Release

Governor-Elect Judy Martz
State Capitol, Helena, Montana 59620

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Betti Hill
December 8, 2000 (406) 444-5551

Martz Announces Economic Development Process

(HELENA)---Today Governor-Elect Judy Martz begins the process of establishing her economic agenda for her administration as she announces an initial economic development meeting on Tuesday, December 12th at Cavanaugh's Colonial Inn in Helena from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

"I am pleased to announce that Congressman Rick Hill has accepted my invitation to be a key strategic help in this process," Martz said. "Rick's experience representing Montana, his background in private business plus his success in bringing innovation and reform to Worker's Compensation can provide the assistance we need to help us succeed in this important task."

The goal of the meeting is to identify specific action items that can be included in the new administration's agenda for the upcoming legislative session and beyond. Over 100 individuals and companies have been invited to attend the meeting. An additional 20 have been invited to make presentations:

• Montana Chamber of Commerce
  
• Montana Innkeepers
  
• Montana Power Company
• Agriculture
  
• AFL-CIO
  
• Montana Woodproducts Association
  
• Westco Resources
  
• Rob Natelson, University of Montana Law School
  
• Golden Sunlight Mine
  
• Semi-Toole
  
• Evan Barrett, Butte Economic Development
  
• Montana Integrated Network Committee
  
• Conservation Groups
  
• Montana Petroleum Association
  
• Pennsylvania Power & Light
  
• Montana Electric Coops
  
• Washington Corporation
  
• Touch America
  
• Tom Scott, First Interstate Bank & Chair Baucus Econ Development Group
  
• Montana League of Cities and towns
  
• Montana Ambassadors
  
• St. Vincent's Hospital

"In next week's meeting, Karl, Rick and I will be looking for specific economic development proposals to compliment my earlier commitments of making our government more business friendly, reforming the Department of Commerce, consolidating the myriad of loan and business development programs, and reforming our tax code," Martz concluded. "It's all about jobs, jobs, more jobs."

Members of the general public are invited to attend the meeting. For more information, call the Martz-Ohs Transition Office at 406-444-5551.