Group looks for ways higher ed can help the economy

HELENA - Higher education officials, joined by legislators and business leaders, took another step Wednesday in a search for ways the Montana university system can do more to help the state's lackluster economy.

In a meeting at the Capitol, the unusual gathering began a process of trying to come up with specific steps the campuses can take to make existing businesses more successful, attract new business and create more jobs with better pay.

Some of the ideas focused on parlaying the results of university research projects into inventions that can help Montana business, and offering more help...