Governor Greg Gianforte continued his 56 County Tour this week, visiting communities across eastern Montana to spotlight infrastructure upgrades, workforce initiatives, public safety investments, and new business openings.
“It’s great to hit the road to see firsthand how communities are thriving across eastern Montana,” Gianforte said. “Thanks to our pro-family, pro-jobs agenda, we’re connecting Montanans to job opportunities, expanding access to child care, supporting law enforcement, and delivering much-needed updates to critical infrastructure.”
Workforce and Tribal Partnerships
In Lame Deer, Gianforte joined Northern Cheyenne Tribal President Gene Small and Labor Commissioner Sarah Swanson to cut the ribbon on the state’s first job service office at a tribal headquarters—and the first new site in over 40 years. President Small called the facility “a plus for us,” offering computers, résumé help, job search support, and soft skills training.
The office is part of the governor’s new 406 JOBS initiative, which seeks to unify Montana’s workforce system through Four Pathways to Employment, Zero Barriers to Work, and Six High-Demand Sectors.
Child Care Expansion
Traveling to the Crow Nation, Gianforte toured the Little Blessings Apsaalooke Childcare Center in Crow Agency. The 45,000-square-foot facility, which opened last year, serves up to 150 children and may expand to include a Head Start program. Crow Chairman Frank Whiteclay praised the visit as strengthening “the government-to-government relationship with the state.”
Public Safety Upgrades
In Big Horn County, the governor met with law enforcement to review a $113,000 Montana Coal Board grant for Hardin Police Department’s upgraded dispatch system. “These new radios allow us to talk to any law enforcement agency across the country,” Chief Paul George said.
This session, Gianforte secured $250 million to establish a long-term public safety plan.
Infrastructure Improvements
In Forsyth, Gianforte toured the city’s water treatment plant, originally built in the 1930s, which is undergoing a $5 million state-supported upgrade to replace aging pipes, tanks, and intake systems. “These projects are extremely expensive for communities,” said Public Works Director Taylor Hellman, “and having the governor come see this project… is extremely beneficial.”
Small Business Growth
In Treasure County, the governor stopped at Hysham’s new River Bottom Bar & Grill, opened in June by Montana native Stacy Hauptmann. Gianforte highlighted tax reforms that increased the business equipment tax exemption from $100,000 to $1 million and delivered $750 million in permanent income tax cuts.
Wildfire Preparedness
Wrapping up the day in Broadus, the governor thanked local firefighters, ranchers, and first responders for their quick work containing two July wildfires sparked by lightning. Since 2021, the state has kept 95% of fires in DNRC direct protection to 10 acres or fewer and placed over 130,000 acres under forest management.
“Getting outside of Helena to hear directly from Montanans is the most important part of my job,” Gianforte said. “We’ll continue to work with local leaders so everyone in our state can prosper.”