Missoula Makers Collective didn’t have to leave their original space—but they knew that to grow into the business they envisioned, they’d need to take the next step: finding a storefront of their own. After more than a year of operating under a sublease within another business, co-founders Rachel Evans and Bailey Durnell had outgrown the limitations of their temporary setup. They had built a successful model connecting local artists with customers, but the path to securing a permanent space, and navigating the financial and logistical hurdles that come with it, was unclear.

That’s where Missoula Economic Partnership came in. MEP Business Development Director Christine Littig worked closely with the Missoula Makers team to demystify the financial side of business expansion, connecting them with people who could help them understand their cash flow, forecast revenue, and determine what they could realistically afford. With that clarity, the team moved from uncertainty to action and confidently began the search for a space that could support their long-term goals. Today, Missoula Makers operates out of a vibrant storefront 112 W Front Street that has significantly increased visibility, foot traffic, and sales for more than 80 local artists.

This story is just one example of how MEP helps local entrepreneurs turn ambition into actionable growth. By providing access to tools, expertise, and strategic partnerships, MEP empowers small businesses to scale thoughtfully and sustainably—strengthening our economy from the ground up. Watch the video above to hear more.

This week, community and industry leaders gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting for Story House Montana, a major new film and television production facility located at the Roseburg Forest Products site. The moment marks the culmination of more than two years of collaboration between Story House Montana and Missoula Economic Partnership, along with many other partners, working together to repurpose a section of the site and launch a transformative new industry in Missoula.

As Roseburg Forest Products prepared to close in March 2024, MEP worked closely with company leadership and City/County officials to support a long-term land use transition while helping Roseburg navigate local processes. The result: a site now positioned for major redevelopment—including housing, commercial uses, and creative industry growth.

“Roseburg came to us and said, we know we can’t sustain this operation anymore, and we want to do the right thing for the community,” said Grant Kier, President and CEO of MEP. “So help us find a good transition for this space, so that it helps build a future for Missoula that reflects how much we appreciate what Missoula has done for us for decades. And so we were delighted to introduce Roseburg and Story House and watch their relationship get built to bring us here today and going forward.”

Story House Montana’s first feature film is scheduled to begin production in Fall 2025, with nearly 400 media manufacturing jobs expected over the next decade. “Story House believes that we have what it takes to support them to make this a place that fulfills their dreams,” Kier said. “They are building this here in Missoula, Montana, and because of that, it will continue to be a place where artists and craftsmen and tradespeople can build and imagine their own future.”

Sean Patrick Higgins, co-founder of Story House, emphasized the significance of the collaboration: “The facility, the partnerships, and the opportunity we see here are exceptional. It’s a true collaboration, and we’re honored to be part of it.”

Read more about the ribbon cutting event and the future of the site in the Missoulian by clicking the button below.

Join HVN on Thursday, May 22, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM at Missoula Economic Partnership as we welcome REMSIGHT, fresh off their first-place win at the John Ruffatto Business Startup Challenge. This forward-thinking startup is making waves in Montana’s tech scene. MEP has had the privilege of working with REMSIGHT throught eHEadwaters Tech Hub and ongoing industry cluster development efforts.

Come hear directly from one of Missoula’s most promising new companies, connect with fellow innovators and community builders, and explore how our region is shaping the future of tech and business.

Missoula By The Numbers

POPULATION

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME

WHO’S HERE

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.