Featured Articles in Montana Business News

Employers seek to hire Montana State students at biannual career fair

BOZEMAN – Nearly 1,500 students in search of internships and employment opportunities, many of them dressed to impress, attended the first day of Montana State University’s Almost Spring Job and Internship Fair, where employers from across the U.S. and Montana were actively recruiting Bobcats for future careers. MSU’s Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success hosts Read More…

Montana State appoints Jason Browning as chief data officer

BOZEMAN – Montana State University announced today that it has hired Jason Browning as its first chief data officer. Browning, previously senior director of partner technology with the higher education consulting firm EAB, is a business intelligence and analytics expert with experience helping universities sort through data to make strategic decisions. He will begin his Read More…

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Attorney General Knudsen demands answers from Wells Fargo for debanking practices

HELENA – Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen led a coalition of 16 attorneys general in demanding answers from Wells Fargo Wednesday regarding the company’s debanking policies, which appear to extend the Biden administration’s woke agenda. In a letter to Wells Fargo’s Chief Executive Officer Charles Scharf, Attorney General Knudsen raised concerns with the bank’s decision Read More…

Employers seek to hire Montana State students at biannual career fair

BOZEMAN – Nearly 1,500 students in search of internships and employment opportunities, many of them dressed to impress, attended the first day of Montana State University’s Almost Spring Job and Internship Fair, where employers from across the U.S. and Montana were actively recruiting Bobcats for future careers. MSU’s Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success hosts Read More…

Montana State to host inaugural Montana Agritourism Conference May 3

BOZEMAN – The Montana State University College of Agriculture and Montana Agritourism Fellows Program will host a new conference focused on the confluence of agriculture and tourism on Friday, May 3, on the MSU campus. The event will include speakers, educational sessions and networking opportunities for attendees. The conference, titled “Building Agritourism from the Ground Read More…

Montana State University Extension offers initial training opportunities for pesticide applicators

BOZEMAN — Montana State University Extension’s Pesticide Education Program and participating MSU Extension offices will offer multiple introductory training opportunities for pesticide applicators in February and March. Initial private applicator trainings Initial private applicator trainings are seven-hour trainings for individuals to learn more about pesticides while qualifying for a Montana private applicator license. A private applicator license allows individuals to apply Read More…

Montana State appoints Jason Browning as chief data officer

BOZEMAN – Montana State University announced today that it has hired Jason Browning as its first chief data officer. Browning, previously senior director of partner technology with the higher education consulting firm EAB, is a business intelligence and analytics expert with experience helping universities sort through data to make strategic decisions. He will begin his Read More…

Governor Gianforte Welcomes Brixtel Defense to Montana

GLENDIVE, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today welcomed Brixtel Defense to Montana, celebrating the global defense company’s $125 million investment in Dawson County. “Montana is proudly home to over 150 innovative firearms and ammunitions businesses – the highest per capita in the country,” Gov. Gianforte said. “We’re thrilled to welcome Brixtel Defense to Big Sky Read More…

R-Y Timber reopening under new name

Livingston is experiencing a resurgence in employment opportunities following Sun Mountain Lumber’s recent acquisition of R-Y Timber. The wood manufacturer, based in Deer Lodge, successfully finalized the purchase in early November and has been diligently working to reopen the plant. On December 4, the plant achieved a significant milestone by restarting the sawmill equipment, signaling Read More…

MSU Extension and Stockgrowers announce 2023 Steer of Merit certifications

BOZEMAN — Montana State University Extension and the Montana Stockgrowers Association awarded 2023 Steer of Merit certifications at the association’s Dec. 7 convention in Billings. MSU Extension beef cattle specialist Megan Van Emon presented the top five winners of the carcass and ultrasound Steer of Merit contests at a Best of Beef Luncheon. MSU Extension Read More…

United Airlines adds more flights from Billings to Denver

United Airlines has expanded its flight offerings from Billings to Denver, introducing two additional daily flights and bringing the total to five. The announcement was made collaboratively by the city of Billings, Visit Billings, the Billings Chamber of Commerce, and Big Sky Economic Development in a news release. READ THE FULL STORY: https://montananewsroom.com/united-airlines-adds-more-flights-from-billings-to-denver/

Montana’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Grew 14% in 2022

In a report released last week, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) confirmed that Montana’s outdoor recreation industry continues to play a significant role in the state’s economy. According to the 2022 report detailing the industry’s economic impact, outdoor recreation contributed to 4.3% of Montana’s gross domestic product (GDP) last year. While this represents Read More…

Alpha Loading Systems Expansion

Governor Greg Gianforte made a visit to the newly expanded Alpha Loading Systems Facility in Stevensville, Montana. The governor’s visit came in response to the recent expansion of the company’s operations, driven by the increased demand for its American-made machinery and ammunition. This development underscores the vital role that small businesses play in Montana’s economy, Read More…

https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/montana-bear-spray-rental-business-marks-3rd-year-of-operation

 A bear spray rental business in southwest Montana is marking its third year of operation. TrailQuipt has locations in Gardiner, West Yellowstone and outside Bozeman. The business rents bear spray canisters for two days for $16, which they call a cost-effective alternative to buying bear spray. The company is implementing an online reservation system this Read More…

Montana Veterans Acquire Wyoming-based Irrigation Company

Mullinax Irrigation & Construction Supply, which provides irrigation solutions and construction products from their headquarters in Sheridan, WY, recently announced the sale of their business to a new generation of ownership. Kevin Beagle and Dustin Frost, an Army and a National Guard Veteran, both with connections to the Billings business community, have purchased the company Read More…

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Maintains First Interstate BancSystem Inc. – (FIBK) Market Perform Recommendation

Fintel reports that on April 28, 2023, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods maintained coverage of First Interstate BancSystem Inc. – (NASDAQ:FIBK) with a Market Perform recommendation. Analyst Price Forecast Suggests 40.35% Upside As of April 24, 2023, the average one-year price target for First Interstate BancSystem Inc. – is 37.01. The forecasts range from a low of 31.31 to a high of Read More…

NorthWestern Energy Announces Election of Sherina Maye Edwards to the Board of Directors

NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (Nasdaq: NWE) today announced that Sherina Maye Edwards has been elected by the company’s shareholders to the Board of Directors, bringing extensive regulatory, legal, utility infrastructure and executive experience to the independent board. Edwards is the former Chief Strategy Officer of MasTec, Inc., a NYSE-listed infrastructure construction company and former Read More…

Greg Gianforte

Gianforte Receives Praise for Tax Relief

Governor Greg Gianforte received praise from industry leaders, business owners, and business advocates for his  advocacy of a tax relief package, signed into law on March 13. Fulfilling  his campaign promise to address the priorities of Montanans by offering them the largest tax cut in the state’s history, which includes both immediate tax rebates and Read More…

University of Providence partners with Touro medical college

The University of Providence announced a partnership with Montana’s first medical school — Touro University of Osteopathic Medicine in Great Falls. The agreement with Touro will allow UP to offer students a Biology degree with a Health Professions concentration. Students enrolled in the program will be guaranteed an admissions interview (if GPA requirements are met) Read More…

Businesses react to surge in gas prices

The recent surge in gas prices is fueling operational adjustments across the Flathead Valley business landscape. Donny Stevens, who runs a Columbia Falls trucking company, said his biweekly bill increased by $5,000 from one statement to the next. “It’s affecting us big-time,” Stevens said. READ THE FULL STORY

Montana Rail Link has no specific branch line plans “at this time”

While Montana Rail Link will be getting out of the railroad business by shifting operations to Burlington Northern Santa Fe, the Missoula-based company will still control considerable real estate. That includes some important, but currently unused branch lines in Western Montana. During the most recent meeting of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA), spokesman Jon Bennion explained Read More…

Helena heavy equipment dealer is navigating supply chain and inflation disruptions

The road back to normal is still a bumpy one for many businesses. For Helena heavy equipment dealer Empire Equipment Company they’re taking on the challenges as they come. “It’s been pretty difficult,” Empire Equipment Company General Manager Krista Marshall told MTN. “Luckily our manufacturers have been well established at getting parts from Europe to North America. Read More…

National Restaurant Association asks Congress for more grant money as omicron hits industry

The National Restaurant Association is asking Congress to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund as the Covid omicron variant hits operators’ businesses. Last year, lawmakers created the $28.6 billion fund to aid bars and restaurants struggling in the wake of the pandemic. The grants were designed to make up for a restaurant’s full pandemic losses of up Read More…