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… Read More
Featured Posts in Business
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… Read More
Frontier Asset Management Launches Actively Managed ETFs on the NYSE
Frontier Asset Management, an independent asset management firm, has officially launched its suite of actively managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). These ETFs are designed… Read More
Federal judge blocks Albertsons-Kroger merger
(The Center Square) – A federal judge has blocked the $24.6 billion proposed merger between Albertsons and Kroger in response to a lawsuit filed against it by the Federal Trade… Read More
All Posts In Business
Bridger Aerospace Acquires FMS Aerospace
BELGRADE, Mont. – Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (“Bridger Aerospace”), a prominent provider of aerial firefighting services, has completed the acquisition of FMS Aerospace (“FMS”), based in Huntsville, Alabama. This… Read More
Montana gets $40 million in federal funds for innovation research
(The Center Square) – Montana is receiving $40 million in federal funds due to legislation sponsored by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines. The “Endless Frontier Act” calls for increased investments in science… Read More
BlueCross BlueShield of Montana to Continue as the State Plan’s Medical Administrator
The Department of Administration (DOA) announced its intention to award the contract for the state’s health plan’s medical Third-Party Administrator (TPA) to BlueCross BlueShield of Montana (BCBSMT), the incumbent provider…. Read More
2024 Employer of Choice Award Winners
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry has announced the winners of the 2024 Montana State Employers Council Employers of Choice Award. This annual accolade celebrates employers who demonstrate exceptional… Read More
Central Ag Research Center aims to help Montana crops thrive
BOZEMAN – The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that in 2023, nearly 5.3 million acres of wheat, 1.2 million acres of barley and more than 1 million acres of pulse… Read More
Lee Enterprises Adopts ‘Poison-Pill’ to Block Quint Digital
Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (NASDAQ: LEE),has announced that its Board of Directors approved a limited-duration shareholder rights plan (“Rights Plan”). Effective immediately, the Rights Plan will remain in effect until March… Read More
CEO Pay Hit Another Record. Shareholders Did Even Better.
Benjamin Franklin’s timeless assertion from 1789 about the certainties of life—death and taxes—might require a modern update if he were alive today. In our contemporary landscape, alongside these age-old certainties,… Read More
Report gives South Dakota high marks for economic outlook
(The Center Square) – South Dakota ranked seventh in a report measuring the state’s economic outlook based on 15 state policy metrics. The 2024 Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State… Read More
Court upholds first oil and natural gas lease sale on federal lands in western states
(The Center Square) – A federal judge handed a win to oil and natural gas companies operating in western states by upholding the first lease sales of the Biden administration… Read More
Governor Gianforte Tours Hi-Country Snacks in Lincoln
GREAT FALLS, Mont. – As part of his continued celebration of Montana Agriculture Week, Governor Greg Gianforte on Wednesday visited Hi-Country Snacks in Lincoln to learn more about how the… Read More
Montana Logging Industry Faces Uncertain Future
Pyramid Mountain Lumber officials have announced their intention to sell the mill rather than resorting to an auction, although no concrete plans have been finalized apart from the impending closure…. Read More
Realtors group ends commission model; biggest ‘jolt’ in housing in 100 years
(The Center Square) – The National Association of REALTORS announced Friday an agreement where it will end the 6% commission that is routine in home sales. In the settlement with… Read More
Billings Business Wins Retailer of the Year Award at 2024 Made in Montana Tradeshow
A Billings business, The Maker’s Market, was honored with the 2024 Retailer of the Year award today at the annual Made in Montana Tradeshow for Food and Gifts in Helena…. Read More
Secretary Christi Jacobsen congratulates businesses at 2024 Made in Montana Tradeshow
HELENA, Mont. — Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen thanked the businesses attending the 2024 Made in Montana Tradeshow on Friday. The Secretary also congratulated the award winners for being… Read More
Montana State business college helps students develop networking skills
BOZEMAN — This semester, Montana State University’s Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship held its first career symposium, a casual event intended to help students become comfortable talking to… Read More
Governor Greg Gianforte Launches Invest in Veterans Week
On Monday at 1889 Coffee House, Governor Greg Gianforte kicked off Invest in Veterans Week. “I think it’s huge. Communication is the key to so many good things,” said Brett… 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… Read More
UM Law Alumnus Races to Success
MISSOULA – Kyle Fickler grew up in Drummond, Montana. From a young age, he was always drawn toward motorsports and racing. He loved tinkering on cars and figuring out how… Read More
Groups weigh in on Montana Supreme Court case of minors challenging permit laws
(The Center Square) – A Montana think tank and special interest groups have filed an amicus brief in the state supreme court case known as Held v. Montana. The coalition is… Read More
Trucking group says they’ll sue if IL adopts CA emissions standards
(The Center Square) – California vehicle emissions standards may be coming to Illinois. An Illinois state legislator has introduced a measure that would limit the types of trucks the trucking industry… Read More
CyberMontana Advances UM’s Mission to be Cybersecurity Hub for Treasure State
MISSOULA – The University of Montana is fortifying its positions as the cybersecurity center for the entire Treasure State. Coming on the heels of a 2023 U.S. Government Accountability Office… 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… Read More
New York City lawsuit accuses big-tech firms of fueling youth mental health crisis
(The Center Square) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams has filed a lawsuit against Facebook, Snapchat and other social media networks, blaming the big-tech companies for fueling a youth… Read More
Summit gets another shot at carbon pipeline in North Dakota
(The Center Square) – Summit Carbon Solutions will get another chance at a carbon pipeline in North Dakota after a ruling by the state’s public service commission. State rules supersede… Read More
UPS to cut 12,000 jobs
In response to a lower-than-projected revenue, UPS has declared a significant workforce reduction of 12,000 employees. The shipping company witnessed a 7.8% decline in revenue, dropping from $27 billion to… Read More
Montana State’s Northwestern Ag Research Center builds on 75 years of producer-focused discovery
BOZEMAN – In the narrow strip of Montana between Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park, just east of Kalispell, there sits a farm that’s easy to drive by without noticing…. Read More
Group says lawmakers should pull fraud-prone business tax credit
(The Center Square) – The Employee Retention Tax Credit, designed to help businesses keep employees on the payroll during pandemic shutdowns, could end up costing taxpayers seven times more than… Read More
Montana Sets New Records for Employment, Labor Force in December
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana set new records for total employment and labor force in December, according to data compiled by Department of Labor and Industry… Read More
Big Sky Businesses Remain Optimistic
Despite a sluggish start to winter in Big Sky, recent snowfall has sparked optimism among local businesses for a successful winter season. Matt Rolfson, an employee at Gallatin Alpine Sports,… Read More
How we almost ended up with a bull’s-eye bar code
Jordan Frith, Clemson University Few objects in the world are more immediately recognizable than the bar code. After all, bar codes are all around us. They’re on the books we… Read More
New Jersey gives unions green light to file lawsuits against employers
(The Center Square) — New Jersey has given labor unions the legal authority to file litigation against companies over alleged labor violations despite claims from business groups that it will… Read More
This Is the Largest Defense Contractor in Montana
The U.S. defense budget topped $850 billion in fiscal 2022, more than the combined military spending of the next 10 countries combined. This money goes to fund a wide range… Read More
Farmers concerned about effects of California’s new animal welfare law
(The Center Square) – A new animal welfare law going into effect in California Jan. 1 that mandates space requirements for pigs, cows and chickens has some livestock farmers on… Read More
‘Anti-woke’ beer teams up Riley Gaines for calendar fundraiser
A beer company that calls itself “anti-woke” and gained popularity in response to Bud Light’s promotion of transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney has announced that its recent campaign successfully raised thousands… Read More
Secretary of State shares 2023 new business registrations
Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen recently disclosed the number of new business registrations filed with the state in November 2023. According to the Montana Business Economic Report, around 4,400… Read More
WSJ Report: Electric Vehicles ‘Piling Up on Dealer Lots’
Electric Vehicles are “piling up on dealer lots” as consumers continue buying traditional cars at faster rates, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Wall Street Journal reports that, contrary to… Read More
Montana Sets New Records for Employment, Labor Force in November
Governor Greg Gianforte and Sarah Swanson, Commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), announced that Montana achieved new state records for total employment and labor force growth… Read More
Report: Montana had Fewer Work-Related Fatalities in 2022
Helena -The 2022 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, released recently by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, presents an annual examination conducted in collaboration with the federal Bureau of… Read More
Costco sells $100 million in gold bars
Costco, the retail giant, disclosed that it achieved sales exceeding $100 million in gold bars during the first fiscal quarter of 2024, as reported by CNBC. This announcement took place… Read More
Don Sterhan Appointed to FHLB Des Moines Advisory Council
Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) recently appointed Don Sterhan, President and Chief Executive Officer of CR Builders, LLC, to its Affordable Housing Advisory Council (Advisory… Read More
GM ends Camaro model after 57 years
According to filings with the state of Michigan, General Motors (GM) is set to initiate layoffs affecting just over 1,300 workers across two Michigan plants early next year. The larger… 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… Read More
New family atop richest in the world list
The era of the Walton family’s five-year reign as the world’s wealthiest dynasty has concluded. In the latest 2023 rankings by Bloomberg, the House of Nahyan, the influential rulers of… Read More
Ranchers push for Montana-raised cattle in local restaurants
In Montana, encountering a couple of cows during the day is a common occurrence. With over 2 million cows spread across the state, it’s evident that Montana, known as Big… 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… Read More
New Irish restaurant coming to Uptown Butte
BUTTE, Mont. — Butte is known to have just about anything Irish but there’s one thing that’s been missing, a family-friendly Irish restaurant. That is, until now. Born and raised… Read More
Sibanye-Stillwater Backs Off Expansion Plans
The proprietor of two valuable metal mines located in south-central Montana has decided to halt progress on an expansion initiative, resulting in the dismissal of approximately 100 workers. Representatives of… Read More
Gig workers are hiding in plain sight
Millions of Americans are engaged in informal gig work, a phenomenon not captured in the government’s official employment statistics, as indicated by recent research shedding light on the true extent… Read More