Montana’s spectacular unspoiled nature and unparalleled access to public lands make for a one-of-a-kind backdrop to build and grow a business. Montana truly is an incubator for innovation. Montana’s top business incentives includes consistently ranking #1 for entrepreneurship and startup activity per capita, according to the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurship and ranking #1 for manufacturing growth, according to the 2017 Montana Manufacturing Report. Also, the State of Montana has cultivated a business tax climate that allows companies to be competitive and grow with no sales tax.
Advanced Manufacturing
Montana leads the nation in manufacturing growth. Since 2010, Montana manufacturing employment has increased by 21 percent, far outpacing the national increase of just 8 percent. More than 3,370 manufacturers operate their businesses in Montana. Most manufacturers in Montana work in fabricated metal, food products, wood products, apparel and miscellaneous.
Refineries, metal fabricators, and food processors have been joined by advanced manufacturing in aerospace, photonics, and industrial equipment to increase the diversification and sophistication of the Montana manufacturing sector.
Outdoor Recreation
Montana’s Outdoor Recreation Industry accounts for $7.1 billion in consumer spending and more than 71,000 jobs—the 2nd largest sector of the state’s economy. It’s not just revenues or jobs, either. Montana’s natural landscapes define a lifestyle that attracts and fuels thriving businesses from all sectors—which makes Montana a premier location for entrepreneurial start-ups or business relocation.
“The Montana Department of Labor & Industry’s employment projections suggest that Montana saw the worst pandemic-related effects in April 2020, and the economic contraction is largely over,” according to the 2020 Montana Labor DayReport unveiled by Gov. Steve Bullock during a stop in Butte.
High-Tech
The technology sector of Montana’s economy has dramatically accelerated its growth in recent years. With exceptional talent being trained in Montana or recruited to the area, an ever-larger pool of private investment capital, and consistently improving direct flight markets, it’s never been easier to start and grow a high-tech firm in the state. Several locations in Montana have been working diligently to achieve the critical mass of talent, companies and capital required for a strong and diverse high-tech ecosystem. And the state has supported this effort through an expanded registered apprenticeship program, tax incentives for businesses, and grants to support job creation and commercialization.
Port of Montana
The Port of Montana is the anchor tenant of the Montana Connections Business Development Park (Montana Connections), a mega industrial park, currently with 800 developable acres.
Montana Connections is ideally located at the intersection of Interstates 90 and 15 and is the only Industrial Park in Montana offering immediate access to two Class I railroads: Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe. Locating a new or relocating an existing business to Montana Connections offers several advantages including favorable industrial zoning, well-planned infrastructure, shovel ready sites and easy access to national and international markets.
Montana Connections’ experienced team will work with you to identify your company’s needs, connect you with public and private partners, assist in locating and applying for financing opportunities, and expedite licensing and permitting with the Butte-Silver Bow local government.
Additionally, this location offers your company eligibility to apply for tax increment financing, state programs for developing new infrastructure, grant funding, interest rate write-downs and low-interest loans. Montana Connections Infrastructure and Incentives:
• Land – 300 developable acres with available parcels as small as 10 or as large as 100 acres zoned for industrial development
• Interstates – The intersection of I-90 (east/west) and I-15 (north/south) is located less than two miles from Montana Connections and the Port of Montana
• Railroads – Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe
• Electricity – Three phase power is available to all parcels. For larger power use customers, affordable power supplies can be negotiated with power providers
• Gas – A 6-inch service line is in place to meet gas needs for current and future development
• Water – An available four million gallons per day of industrial water, potable water and available two million gallons per day of wastewater capacity
• Communication – High speed fiber connectivity
• Infrastructure Assistance – Montana Connections is a Tax Increment Financing District allowing for economic development funds to assist with infrastructure costs for new businesses locating in the park The Port of Montana and Montana Connections work side by side to ensure all businesses located within the industrial park have affordable and easy access to all of their logistics needs.
Workforce
With access to world-class research institutions, two-year public colleges, and a strong apprenticeship program, Montana’s workers are first rate. Plus, Montanans are known innovators who are launching new companies and ideas at the highest rate in the nation.
Montana has one of the highest high school graduation rates in the country, as well as a culture of strong relationships among business, K-12 and post-secondary institutions to help employers meet workforce demands and engage in cutting-edge research and innovation.
Business Resources
The State of Montana is dedicated to fulfilling the needs of businesses statewide. Find new opportunities in the Montana workforce, grow your businesses workforce, or provide professional training within an apprenticeship or use the Montana Business Navigator to gather resources and information organized in a step-by-step process, so you can plan, start, operate, and expand your business in Montana.
The Montana Governor’s Office of Economic Development is charged with supporting the business community and workforce of the state to grow the economy. To that end, the Office commonly serves as the single point of contact for businesses that are interested in relocating to or expanding in Montana. For more information about relocating or expanding to Montana visit Business.MT.gov.
