Montana has taken a significant step in bringing transparency to the secretive third party litigation funding (TPLF) industry. Recently, Gov. Greg Gianforte signed into law SB 269, which, among many things, will require disclosing TPLF agreements in all civil cases before Montana courts. Both of the state’s legislative chambers unanimously voted in favor of the bill. 

AS YOUR PARTNER IN POLICY, WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU

The countdown to the 2025 Legislature has begun, and we are already hard at work. As the collective voice of business in Helena, we need to hear from YOU, Montana businesses, about your priorities and key relationships with local and state legislators that could help us advance our advocacy work in upcoming sessions. 

MT CHAMBER LEADS DIVERSE DELEGATION TO FARGO, ND IN PURSUIT OF REGIONAL TECH HUB

On May 5-6, our President & CEO Todd O'Hair and Director of Network Development Matt Olson along with members of the Montana Department of Commerce and Montana University System (MUS) led a consortium of business, education, and government leaders to Fargo, North Dakota to strengthen relationships around growing regional technology expertise. The two states are coordinating as Montana pursues a Phase I Strategy Development grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce aimed at receiving a $50 to $75 million Phase II Tech Hub Implementation Grant. The proposed regional tech hub is focused on the advancement of photonic sensing technologies and autonomous systems as both states are global leaders in these two areas. While there, the Montana Chamber also participated in the

Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce's Mid-West Agriculture Summit at the Red River Fairgrounds. Learn more about the event here.

Read the full article and follow the tour here.

Read the press release, and watch the video about the announcement and doing business in Montana.

The Western Governors’ Foundation is pleased to announce the delegates to the 2023 Western Governors’ Leadership Institute, a program designed to recognize, reward, and promote the effective exercise of leadership by young adults across the West.

The Foundation will welcome 31 young professionals to Boulder, Colorado June 24-28 to attend a one-day leadership forum and the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) annual meeting. 

We are proud to announce Sheridan Johnson, our Government Relations Specialist is one of them representing Montana along with Andee Baker and Madison Yablonski.

Learn more about the WGA, and the Western Governors' Foundation Leadership Institute program here.

One year ago yesterday (June 13), the National Park Service in Yellowstone faced one of the most significant challenges in in the Park's history. After receiving a combined 7.5-9.5 inches of rain and snowmelt in 24 hours, flooding destroyed park roads, wastewater infrastructure, backcountry trails and bridges, power systems, and employee housing. Nine days after a complete evacuation, they reopened three of five entrances and all entrances in only four months. This feat would not have been possible without the help of the Federal Highway Administration Western Federal Lands Highway Division, RockSol Consulting Group, HK Contractors, Jacobs Engineering Group, Oftedal Construction, and National Park Service teams. This feat demonstrates how when amazing humans, and the public, private and nonprofit sectors come together, miracles can happen. Learn more about the park’s flood recovery efforts here.

We were honored to be able to share the story of recovery and resilience in the Greater Yellowstone and its Gateway Communities of Gardiner, Livingston, Cooke City/Silvergate, and West Yellowstone at our Inaugural Convergence held in the Paradise Valley from May 10-12 in celebration of National Travel & Tourism Week. Thanks to all our sponsors who helped to make it possible.

Read GNP press release here.

Read here.

Billings Police Department and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grant writing workshop in Billings, MT - July 6-7, 2023.  This training is for grant seekers across all disciplines. Attend this class and you'll learn how to find the funding sources and write winning grant proposals. A $30 discounted tuition to chamber members is $465 and includes two days of instruction. Use the code "CHAMBER" at the time of registration.

For event details visit the website here.

Join us and Gov. Greg Gianforte for the Governor's Cup Kick Off luncheon in partnership with the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. Hear from the Governor, followed by James Williamson, Sage Strategy & Appraisals and Dr. Pat Barkey of the Bureau of Business & Economic Research (BBER) for the mid-year economic update. The Kalispell Chamber will also unveil their local Flathead Valley survey results. Thanks to Applied Materials for co-sponsoring.

Join the Montana Chamber Foundation for the Glacier Bank Ace in the Hole Reception & BBQ at Flathead Valley Community College.

Don't miss the power networking event of the summer. The public is welcome to attendt to connect with golfers, business leaders, and policy makers. Golfers do not need to register.

FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Contact Stacye Dorrington, Events & Office Manager at Stacye@MontanaChamber.com | 406.439.4220

Masters – Fidelity Diagnostics, Logan Health, Montana Bankers Association, Westmoreland

Governors’ Circle – Applied Materials, Blackfoot Communications, BlueCross BlueShield of Montana, Delta Dental, Reach Higher Montana, Sibanye-Stillwater, Southern Airways, UBS

Birdie – FAST Enterprises, Montana Department of Commerce

Eagle – Century Gaming, Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, Navajo Transitional Energy, Republic Services, SMA Architecture + Design

Par – ADF Legal, MERCK, Pinion, Reach Higher Montana, Signal Peak Energy