Consul General Ferrer Explores Partnerships in Bozeman, Montana with Mayor Cunningham

CONSUL GENERAL FERRER EXPLORES PARTNERSHIPS IN BOZEMAN, MONTANA WITH MAYOR CUNNINGHAM

Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer and Bozeman, Montana Mayor Terry Cunningham with, from left to right: Vice Consul Adrian Baccay, Seachamp Ltd. co-owner Ron Slowik, and City Economic Development Director Brit Fontenot. (San Francisco PCG photo)

BOZEMAN, MONTANA, USA – On the sides of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco’s consular outreach in Bozeman, Montana, Consul General Neil Ferrer met with Bozeman Mayor Terry Cunningham on 4 November 2024.

Joining the meeting at the Bozeman City Hall were Vice Consul Adrian Baccay and City Economic Development Director Brit Fontenot, whom Consul General Ferrer previously met during his first visit to Bozeman in September 2021.

Consul General Ferrer congratulated Mayor Cunningham for the recognition received by his city as the “No. 1 Micropolitan Area” for the seventh straight year in POLICOM Corporation’s Economic Strength Rankings.

During the meeting, Consul General Ferrer explored possible areas of cooperation between the Philippines and Bozeman including in the areas of economic development, educational and research linkages, and cultural exchanges.

According to the City Economic Development Department, Bozeman is a hub for technology and research & development, with major employers ranging from companies focusing on software development to photonics R&D and manufacturing.

Bozeman also has a robust service sector, attributed mostly to its tourism industry. Bozeman is the closest major city to the Yellowstone National Park, one of most visited national parks in the United States.

While noting that Montana is home to about 5,500 Filipinos and Filipino Americans, Consul General Ferrer took pride in their contributions in the state. Mayor Cunningham also noted the presence of Overseas Filipino Workers in Bozeman, particularly in the healthcare sector.

“Under the able leadership of Mayor Cunningham, I look forward to potential partnerships with the Bozeman City Government that will mutually benefit the peoples of the Philippines and Bozeman,” Consul General Ferrer said.

For the second time since 2021, Consul General Ferrer visited Bozeman to lead the Consulate’s outreach mission in the city, and to engage with the Filipino Community in Montana and local leaders in Bozeman. END

(San Francisco PCG photos)