Casual Friday Newsletter
Your weekly snapshot of important news, events and commentary
A Word from Todd O'Hair

Montana’s Governor’s Cup Golf Tournament is ON!

We are working with the golf courses hosting the Governor’s Cup, and evaluating additional steps to ensure a healthy event. Barring an unacceptable surge in COVID-19 cases, the Montana Chamber is moving ahead with the 2020 Chamber Foundation’s Governor’s Cup July 30, 31, and August 1.

We have begun reaching out to registered teams and gauging their interest in this year’s event. Overwhelmingly, the response is enthusiastically supportive. Montanan’s are looking ahead to a time when we can safely gather as friends and colleagues. The Montana Governor’s Cup has become a premier networking and social event, drawing business leaders and elected officials across political and industry spectrums.

Kicking off the excitement, we begin on Thursday evening, July 30, with the Sandbagger’s Reception. With more than 500 typically attending, it is a great place to see old friends and make new ones. The Sandbagger’s Reception is not just for golfers. It’s a networking reception---so even if you don’t play in this year’s Governor’s Cup, you definitely want to make plans to attend the Sandbagger Reception.

If you would like to play in the Governor’s Cup as an individual or pull together a team, we have a few spots still available---contact Ed Bartlett for more information at golf@montanachamber.com.

This is a year to support Montana by shopping and traveling locally. The Flathead Valley is one of the most beautiful places in the country, and there is no better place to be in the summer.

Let’s meet in the Flathead, commiserate our losses, celebrate our wins, and continue plotting our path forward!

Take care and stay well.

Sincerely,

Todd O'Hair
President & CEO
Montana Chamber of Commerce
Capitol Connection
ICYMI: David Bell, Bridger Mahlum Talk
Supreme Court and Montana's Legal Climate
Now that your business can reopen, are you thinking about the liability of the COVID climate? If so, Montana's legal climate and who serves on the courts should matter to you!

This is one the many topics covered on a Voices of Montana series with David Bell, Chair of the Montana Chamber of Commerce Justice Coalition, and Bridger Mahlum, Government Relations Director for the Chamber. This four part series reviewed Voices’ recent Montana Supreme Court Candidate Series featuring the three June 2 primary candidates for Supreme Court Seat 5: Mars Scott, Mike Black, and Justice Laurie McKinnon. Catch the recorded podcast here.

Miss the candidate interviews?
No worries! Listen to the recorded podcasts NOW!

Chamber Member Spotlight
Fairmont Hot Springs, Open and Ready for Business!
Nestled in the foot of the Pintler Wilderness in SW Montana lies Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Fairmont Hot Springs is known throughout the Northwest for its pools, waterslide and championship 18-hole golf course, centered around a 153-room hotel.

Fairmont is the place for families. The resort features many family friendly activities such as mini golf, folf, and on-site zoo.

Not only is it family friendly, it is also business oriented. In 2015, we expanded our conference center from 5500 sq. ft to over 20,000 sq. ft. making Fairmont one of the largest conference facilities in Montana. Perfect for weddings, reunions, large conferences.

Fairmont is the best of Montana all in one place!
 
Essential Business Education Webinar Series
  JOIN US!
Navigating the SBA's Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application
Thursday, May 28, 2020 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM (MDT) 

Join us for a discussion and Q&A with experts from Anderson ZerMuehlen to better understand the details of this CV-19 Federal assistance program.

Montana Chamber CEO Todd O'Hair and Montana Banker's Association CEO Cary Hegreberg will facilitate this important conversation on Montana's economic recovery efforts.

Topics for discussion:
  • Practical guidance on understanding and preparing the application
  • The options available to maximize your debt forgiveness
  • Facilitated Q&A regarding the Loan Forgiveness Application
  • Why small businesses deserve to participate in the PPP Program
Montana Youth Entrepreneurs
HEAR DIRECTLY FROM THE WINNERS OF THE BIG IDEA AND THEIR EDUCATORS PROMOTING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET
$6,000 WINNER!

Porter Blanchard of Manhattan High School, and his YE Educator Lexi Glaus, joined the Montana Chamber of Commerce and Youth Entrepreneurs leadership to discuss his winning business idea for the Big Idea business plan competition.

$1,000 WINNER!

Carlee Blodgett and Abby Schladweiler of Rapelje High School, and their YE Educator, Jacki Keating joined the Montana Chamber of Commerce and Youth Entrepreneurs leadership to discuss their winning existing business for the Big Idea competition.

The Montana Chamber of Commerce invites you to view our NEW Speaker Series where you'll find a variety of unique, informative, and inspirational videos. This is one of our favorite ways to support our mission of empowering the businesses community through advocacy, education and collaboration.

MTBiz Headlines
Montana #1 business-friendly state in COVID-19 era

Montana has earned another prestigious distinction in the age of COVID-19. Big Sky country is ranked number one in the nation by Zippia as the state with the highest business friendly rating during the coronavirus pandemic. The ranking is based...

Read more
www.sidneyherald.com
Small Montana towns feeling economic impacts of COVID-19

KULR (Cooke City)- While the Wyoming side of Yellowstone National Park is set to reopen on Monday, May 18th, Governor Bullock orders the Montana side remain closed until at least June 1st. In the interim, Cooke City feels stranded, as nearly all...

Read more
www.kulr8.com
Questions Swirl Around Tourism As Montana Begins To Reopen

Big sky country and big adventures drew in over 12 million tourists to Montana last year. As the state moves to reopen amid low COVID-19 case numbers, some Montana communities have to weigh the economic importance of tourism with local safety.

Read more
www.mtpr.org
State and economist's predictions differ on pension plan ...

Politicians often tell you, law requires Montana to operate debt free. That is true of our state's two-year general operating budget. In fact, Montana has a surplus in money for general day-to-day operations. However, economists warn, like most...

Read more
nbcmontana.com
Building a better business climate, a focus of Envision 2026, includes promoting great things going on with our members. Do you have any exciting company news to share with the Montana Chamber of Commerce? If you or your company have won a highly coveted award, or if there are major changes/promotions/retirements in your company, please email up to 50 words to Membership Relations Manager, Kimberly Seligman.

The Montana Chamber of Commerce does not guarantee submissions will be shared across Montana Chamber communications channels. The Montana Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to determine what information is shared on its communications channels.
Thank you to our Treasure State Members!