Featured Articles in Montana Business News

Gianforte Welcomes Semiconductor Firm to Montana

Gov. Greg Gianforte on Monday marked the opening of Eshylon Scientific’s new facility in Bozeman, cutting the ribbon on the semiconductor manufacturing solutions company’s relocation from California to Montana. The governor toured the site and highlighted the investment as part of Montana’s growing technology and semiconductor industry. “Montana is becoming a hub for entrepreneurship and Read More…

Montana Commerce Department Launches New Loan Program for Rural Businesses

The Montana Department of Commerce announced Monday that a new loan participation program aimed at expanding access to capital for rural businesses will open for applications on Oct. 1, 2025. The Opportunities in Rural Economies (ORE) Loan Participation Program will partner with local lenders to provide low-interest loans for projects that support job creation, strengthen Read More…

Black Hills Corp. and NorthWestern Energy Announce All-Stock Merger

Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) and NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NWE) said  their boards of directors have unanimously approved a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock, tax-free merger. The deal will create a regulated electric and natural gas utility company with an estimated market capitalization of $7.8 billion and an enterprise value of Read More…

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CoreWeave’s Nasdaq Debut Falls Flat, Valued at $23 Billion Despite Tepid Response

CoreWeave, an AI infrastructure firm backed by tech giant Nvidia, made its Nasdaq debut on Friday with a less-than-enthusiastic response from investors. The company’s shares closed flat after opening nearly 3% below their offering price, giving it a valuation of $23 billion on a fully diluted basis. The lackluster performance has raised concerns about the Read More…

Bridger Aerospace Reports Record 2024 Results

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BAER, BAERW), one of the largest aerial firefighting companies in the United States, has reported record financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ending December 31, 2024. The company achieved a significant milestone with $98.6 million in revenue for the full year and $15.6 million in the Read More…

Governor Gianforte Hails GE Aerospace Expansion in Butte

Governor Greg Gianforte is celebrating a $2 million investment from GE Aerospace to expand manufacturing capacity at its joint venture site in Butte, further boosting Montana’s role in commercial and military aircraft engine production. “I appreciate the continued investment from GE Aerospace to boost American manufacturing, jobs, and products,” said Gov. Gianforte. “In Montana, we’ll Read More…

Bridger Aerospace Names Sam Davis as New CEO

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc., one of the largest aerial firefighting companies in the United States, announced today that Sam Davis has been officially appointed as the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, effective March 17, 2025. Davis had been serving as the interim CEO since July 2024, following the resignation of former CEO Timothy Read More…

Bridger Aerospace Announces Schedule for Fourth Quarter 2024 Earnings Release and Conference Call

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BAER, BAERW), one of the nation’s largest aerial firefighting companies, has announced that it will release its financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024, on Thursday, March 13, 2025, after market close. The company’s management will host an investor conference call on the same day at Read More…

Trump retreats more on tariffs after big Wall Street stock selloffs, trade war, recession fears

U.S. President Donald Trump has retreated more on 25% tariffs against Canada and Mexico after Wall Street opened with big losses for stocks Thursday and businesses and consumers worry about higher prices and a potential recession. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC Thursday that products and materials governed under the current North American trade Read More…

Bridger Aerospace to Participate in Canaccord and ROTH Investor Conferences in 2025

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BAER, BAERW), one of the largest aerial firefighting companies in the United States, today announced its participation in two upcoming investor conferences: the Canaccord Genuity Sustainability Forum and the 37th Annual ROTH Conference. On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Bridger Aerospace’s management will speak at the virtual Canaccord Genuity Sustainability Read More…

Montana GOP lawmakers sponsor bills seeking to restrict wind development

Two Republican lawmakers representing rural eastern Montana districts are sponsoring bills to restrict where new wind turbines can be built and how tall they can be. Proponents of the proposals argue they will reduce wind farms’ impact on neighboring landowners and communities. Opponents counter that the bills will stifle a growing but underdeveloped Montana industry Read More…

UM Research: Reforestation Needs in the West to Double by 2050

Two recent University of Montana studies are demystifying how increasing wildfires and hotter annual temperatures limit forest regeneration in the Western U.S., revealing that our capacity to plant trees can’t keep pace with reforestation needs. The first UM study was led by Solomon Dobrowski, a researcher in the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation. Read More…

Scammers impersonate First Interstate

A new wave of phone scams is targeting bank customers, using sophisticated caller ID fraud, also known as “vishing.” Scammers are impersonating representatives from First Interstate Bank, deceiving customers into handing over sensitive financial details. According to reports, fraudsters manipulate caller ID to make it appear as though calls are coming from a legitimate First Read More…

Bridger Aerospace Deploys Super Scooper Aircraft to Battle California Wildfires

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc.  has mobilized its CL-415EAF “Super Scooper” aircraft to California to support wildfire suppression efforts, marking the company’s earliest seasonal deployment in its history. The deployment follows a Task Order from the U.S. Forest Service, requested by the State of California, which is already facing intense wildfires unusually early in the Read More…

Headwaters Hospice Expands, Bringing Compassionate Care to More Montanans

Just one year after earning CHAP Accreditation, Headwaters Hospice and Palliative Care has become a trusted provider of compassionate end-of-life care in the Helena Valley. Fueled by overwhelming community support, the locally and veteran-owned organization is now expanding its services to Butte and Silver Bow County, bringing in-home palliative care to the area for the Read More…

Montana Housing Market Enters Deep Freeze

Montana Housing Market Faces “Frozen” Conditions Amid Affordability Crisis Montana’s housing market is experiencing what experts describe as a deep freeze, and a single statistic highlights why: roughly 80% of mortgage holders in the state have interest rates 2% to 3% lower than current market rates. For most homeowners, selling their property and buying another Read More…

NorthWestern Energy Signs Massive Data Center Power Deals

NorthWestern Energy has announced agreements to supply significant amounts of electricity to two proposed data centers in Montana, with combined power demands set to exceed the capacity of the state’s newest gas-fired power plant. The development raises questions about Montana’s energy infrastructure and its ability to meet growing demand while maintaining reliable service. The larger Read More…

Montana Unemployment Rate Holds at Historic Low in November

Montana’s unemployment rate remained at 3.2% in November, continuing an unprecedented stretch of low unemployment that has persisted for 41 consecutive months, with rates at or below 3.4%. The state’s historic run surpasses the previous record set in 2006-2007 when unemployment rates stayed at or below 3.4% for 15 months. In November alone, Montana added Read More…

Montana Receives $3.5 Million Grant to Support Laid-Off Sibanye-Stillwater Mine Workers

Gov. Greg Gianforte, U.S. Senator Steve Daines, U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke, and the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) announced that Montana has secured a $3.5 million federal grant to assist workers recently laid off from the Sibanye-Stillwater Mine in the state’s largest recent mining workforce reduction. “This grant is a vital step in Read More…

EPA: Methane emissions down 44% in top oil and gas producing basins

(The Center Square) – Methane emissions from the largest oil- and natural gas-producing basins fell 44% between 2011 and 2013, according to newly published data from the Environmental Protection Agency. According to the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, methane emissions dropped in seven oil- and natural gas-producing basins by up to 87% from 2019-2023. The Read More…

Montana Allocates $37 Million in Federal Housing Tax Credits to Build Affordable Homes

The Montana Department of Commerce announced today the allocation of more than $37 million in federal housing tax credits to support the construction of new affordable housing in five Montana communities. The funding will help address the growing need for affordable housing in the state, with 136 new homes planned in Billings, Bozeman, Dillon, Missoula, Read More…

Montana State University Students Win Big at Annual Big Idea Challenge

Montana State University students showcased their entrepreneurial spirit at the annual Big Idea Challenge on Nov. 7, earning $10,000 in prize money for innovative projects ranging from sustainable food products to medical equipment. The competition, hosted by the Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship and MSU’s Blackstone LaunchPad, featured 12 finalist teams selected from Read More…

Montana Business Owners Notified to Report Equipment for 2025 Tax Year

The Montana Department of Revenue has issued a reminder to business owners with equipment reporting requirements to submit their reports for Tax Year 2025. Businesses and individuals owning business equipment with a total market value exceeding $1 million statewide as of January 1, 2025, must file their reports by March 1, 2025, to avoid a Read More…

Montana Department of Commerce Opens Applications for 2024 Big Sky Film Grant

The Montana Department of Commerce has announced the opening of the 2024 Big Sky Film Grant (BSFG), offering financial support to filmmakers creating projects that showcase Montana’s unique landscapes, culture, and talent. The grant program is open for applications until February 7, 2025 and is designed to foster growth and opportunities for Montana-based film and Read More…

Montana-Based Glacier Bank Declares 159th Consecutive Quarterly Dividend

Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: GBCI), the parent company of Montana’s Glacier Bank, announced on November 20, 2024, that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share. This marks the company’s 159th consecutive quarterly dividend and highlights its impressive track record of 49 dividend increases since its founding. The dividend will be Read More…

Bridger Aerospace Reports Record Q3 Results and Raises 2024 Revenue Guidance

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BAER, BAERW), one of the nation’s leading aerial firefighting companies, has announced record financial results for the third quarter of 2024, marking a strong performance driven by high demand for its Super Scooper fleet. As a result, the company has raised its revenue guidance for the year and narrowed Read More…

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings to Announce Third Quarter Financial Results

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (“Bridger” or “Bridger Aerospace”) (NASDAQ: BAER, BAERW), one of the largest aerial firefighting companies in the United States, has announced that it will release its financial results for the third quarter ending September 30, 2024, on Monday, November 11, 2024, after the market closes. Management will host an investor conference Read More…

Montana State University Extension to Host Inaugural Cattle Academy in Miles City

Montana State University (MSU) Extension is set to launch the first Cattle Academy, a biennial regional conference for beef cattle producers, on November 19-20 at the Custer County Event Center, located at 72 Garryowen Road. The Cattle Academy aims to equip beef cattle producers with valuable insights on contemporary topics, current research, and innovative technologies Read More…

Daines Criticizes Biden Administration’s Mining Regulations as “Cynical”

U.S. Senator Steve Daines today condemned new guidance issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury regarding the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (45X), labeling it a “cynical and desperate attempt to get votes before the election.” Daines’ remarks came after the Treasury made minor adjustments to its draft guidance, which he had previously criticized for Read More…