A new Web site aims to help aspiring technology inventors and entrepreneurs find the resources and business savvy they need to turn their ideas into reality.

Launched earlier this month, Big Sky Innovation, www.bigskyinnovation.org, collects information from several Web sites and provides technology entrepreneurs a "one-stop shop" for everything from getting in touch with economic development agencies to learning about existing technology that can be licensed and the basics of building a business out of an idea.

"So many people don't have a clear understanding of what it takes to take an idea from the idea stage to market," said Linda Brander, manager of the Montana Technology Innovation Partnership, a program under the Department of Commerce.

Brander described the Web site as a database of information on everything from where to find funding and how to get connected to federal research labs to showing people "where to go to help move their research and development toward commercialization."

Big Sky Innovation is a collaboration of several public agencies, including Commerce and the University of Montana School of Business Administration, as well as the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity and other organizations.

Salute: A pair of Helena-based employers were among eight statewide nominated for the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The PanHandler Plus and the Montana Department of Transportation were each nominated either by members of the National Guard and Reserve or their families for exceptional support of their employees who are serving the country.

Nationally, more than 2,000 businesses were nominated. The Department of Defense will name up to 15 Freedom Award recipients from across the country this summer.

Money in the bank? Montana ranks pretty low in per capita income. We don't make a ton of money here compared to others around the country, so it's especially important that we make good decisions with the dollars we have.

What special strategies do you use to save money? Do you "pay yourself first," putting money from every paycheck into savings before you spend it on anything else? Do you take advantage of your retirement plan at work? Do you collect your spare change?

We're interested in hearing from readers about unique and interesting strategies for saving. Could be for retirement, for a child's college, for a rainy day or just for increased financial security.

If you've got a savings strategy that's worked well for you, e-mail the details to john.harrington@helenair.com. Maybe sharing those stories will help all of us take better care of our cash and live more securely down the road.

E-mail your Open for Business ideas to john.harrington@helenair.com