“Growth projected in high-tech businesses significantly exceeds average statewide economic growth,” said BBER director Patrick Barkey. “Median annual wages are much higher than in other sectors, and since we completed the first survey a year ago, they have increased by 12 percent.”

For the second year in a row, tech businesses reported that Montana’s quality of life, the beauty of the natural landscape and the myriad recreation opportunities provide a significant advantage in business.

“Montana is a great place to start a small, high-tech business,” Davidoff said. “Here, we have affordable office space, a trained labor force and strong community support for high-tech initiatives. Thanks to the Internet, LMG’s staff can live in a gorgeous place and at the same time provide world-class cybersecurity services to an international market.”

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Alliance member companies on average expect to raise wages by 5 percent this year, significantly higher than the 3.5 percent average rate of growth in Montana’s overall private sector. Member companies are clustered around Missoula and Bozeman, but can be found all over the state.