Grant will help environmental companies reach global markets

by Evelyn Boswell

5/15/96 modified 2/98 BOZEMAN -- Environmental technology is an emerging industry in Montana, and a $180,000 grant has made it easier for companies that produce such technology to market their products internationally, according to Will Swearingen, director of the two-year grant project.

Environmental technology is any technology that's designed to benefit the environment. It might prevent, control, monitor or clean up pollution, for example.

The grant has expanded Montana State University-Bozeman's business outreach services and is helping internationalize MSU's College of Business, Swearingen said.

The College of Business is developing international units for core business courses, engaging in international marketing case studies and offering internships with environmental technology companies because of the grant.

"Environmental technology is one of the most important technologies that companies are developing in Montana," Swearingen said.

MSU is working closely with the Montana Environmental Technology and Services Network (METSNET) to carry out grant activities. METSNET is the statewide organization for the environmental technology industry.

The international market in environmental technology is estimated to be approximately $250 billion, and the United States accounts for about half of that. The fastest growth is in foreign markets.

The Bozeman area, alone, has 52 technology companies, and many of those produce environmental technology, Swearingen said. Many of those are small, however, and lack the resources to do much research and development or international marketing. The grant should be especially helpful to those companies, Swearingen added.

Little Bear Laboratories in Red Lodge, which develops innovative new environmental technologies for the mining industry, is a good example of a local Montana company that has found a productive niche outside of the United States. Little Bear does most of its work in Latin America.

The $180,000 grant runs through April 30, 1998, but Swearingen said, "It's going to permanently expand the university's capability to help the private sector because it's helping to internationalize the College of Business, which will, in turn, help Montana businesses to better compete in the global marketplace."

Send questions or comments to Carol Flaherty, MSU Communications Services, Bozeman, MT 59717 or carolf@montana.edu.

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