Higher education also plays an important role in the space industry. Montana state universities in Bozeman and Billings both have NASA TechLink centers, funded by NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense. Boeing Corp. is the number one employer of MSU-Bozeman graduates. Chandra Morris, director of communications of TechLink at MSU-Bozeman, said TechLink identifies the needs of technology companies and serves as a matchmaker. TechLink has access to people in research centers whose project may match with technology in their region, which includes Montana, the Dakotas, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon and Washington state.
University students are also involved in the aerospace industry.
Founded by NASA, the Montana Space Consortium at MSU-Bozeman allows students to assist in the development of space projects. While some might be surprised at the state's position in this high-tech field, Micheletti said, it's the result of good foresight and planning. For example, Montana lowered its business equipment tax to make the state more competitive.