By Abbie Digel
According to the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce, Big Sky receives over 400
inches of powder every winter, and for the past seven years, despite the economic
downturn, Montana has had “one of the fastest growing economies in the United
States,” stated Evan Barrett, Chief Business Development Officer for the governor’s
office of economic development. Montana has a lot to be proud of, and a
recent spread in Delta Airline’s SKY Magazine, showcases the reason behind the
10 million visitors that ventured to the Treasure State in 2009. For Main Street
businesses, that number means 10 new customers per Montana resident.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase Montana to the world,” stated
Governor Brian Schweitzer at the unveiling of the edition of Sky on January 4 in
Helena. “We are thrilled to have partnered with Sky Magazine to bring the magic
of Montana to their more than five million readers.”
Sky, a monthly magazine featuring world-wide coverage of
music, fashion, sports, television, film, business, politics and
popular culture, is located in the seat pocket of every aircraft
Delta operates. Delta flies 13,000 people per day and serves
more than 160 million customers each year.
The 22 page spread features ads for various areas across
the state including Stillwater Mining, the city of Billings,
RightNow Technologies, and Whitefish and Glacier County.
Big Sky residents can be excited about the Biggest Skiing in
America and Yellowstone Country ads, which showcase beautiful
landscape and skiers enveloped in powder.
The content includes Q and A’s with Schweitzer, Tom Brokaw,
Bryon Wilson, Jack Horner and Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow,
as well as a timeline, a state map, a regional tour and profiles
of RightNow Technologies, Montana Brewers Association,
MSU and University of Montana.
The in-depth articles focus on the state’s economic development,
tourism and quality of life. Highlighted is Montana’s
determined economy history, based on mining, agriculture
and energy. Montana holds plenty of first place spots: our
state is the leader in wind-power growth, is the leading producer
of certified organic wheat, and is the number one state
for entrepreneurship, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In addition,
the feature showcases the abundance of wildlife and culture Montana holds, and
the worldwide impact MSU and University of Montana both have.
The regional tour, titled “Unspoiled Splendor,” highlights Glacier County, Gold
West Country, Russell Country, Yellowstone Country, Missouri River Country
and Custer Country, showing restaurants, museums and recreation areas in each
region, as well as important cultural and scenic destinations. Yellowstone National
Park, Bozeman, Museum of the Rockies, fly-fishing in Livingston, the Gallatin
Corridor, Chico Hot Springs and Big Sky are all mentioned.
“The exceptional quality of life here will always be our most attractive featureand
secret weapon, stated Barret. “Montana is the best place to call home.”
