A message from Todd O'Hair, President and CEO

As of yesterday, just over 284,700 of the absentee ballots mailed out have been returned to their respective county. There are just over 760,000 registered voters in Montana--which means there are a LOT of votes yet to be cast in this election. 
 
In the 2020 general election, a little over 74,000 votes separated the winning and losing Supreme Court race (Laurie McKinnon vs Mike Black). And the three Public Service Commission races were decided between ~10,000 and ~30,000 votes. 
 
With a new congressional seat in Montana, a hotly contested Supreme Court race, Public Service Commission race and local candidates and legislators on the ballot, it’s every bit as important of an election as any other year. The Montana Chamber has put together some pieces to provide information on the statewide and regional races.  

SHARE these non-partisan, business specific publications
with your friends, family and colleagues.
 
Judicial Review: How did MT Supreme Court Justices vote on specific business litigation before the MT Supreme Court?  2022 Judicial Scores Released - Montana Chamber of Commerce
 
Eye on the Vote: Candidates provide answers to business specific questions. Publications - Montana Chamber of Commerce
 
2021 Legislative Scorecard: See how your legislator voted on business legislation in the last legislative session.  Voting Reviews - Montana Chamber of Commerce
 
Zoom Meeting with PSC Candidate John Repke:  https://youtu.be/SO-5hJ7Ksd4
 
Zoom Meeting with Supreme Court Candidate James Brown:  https://youtu.be/OIfZghWYqao
UPCOMING EVENTS
MONTANA CHAMBER BUSINESS DAYS AT THE CAPITOL
JANUARY 2-3, 2023 | HELENA MONTANA

The Montana Chamber of Commerce is ringing in the New Year with the 21st Annual Business Days at the Capitol. Join us in Helena Monday, January 2 and Tuesday, January 3 for the premier event of the year!
 
This event brings together lawmakers, business leaders and government officials to talk face-to-face and participate in a variety of educational and networking events. We encourage you to register early as the event does sell out each year.
 
Monday, January 2 - 12:00 pm - 4:30 pm | Seminars, Fireside Chats, and Keynote Addresses
Monday, January 2 - 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Lawmaker Appreciation Reception & Banquet
Tuesday, January 3 - 7:30 am - 1:00 pm | Seminars, Fireside Chats and Keynote Addresses
 
PRICE: $200/individual (includes banquet) or $85 (banquet only)
 
Don't miss out on legislative priorities from the Montana Chamber and Legislative Leadership; latest on energy; tort and policy reform; and more!

For sponsorship opportunities, contact stacye@montanachamber.com
WORKING IN PARADISE
HYUNDAI / NEW HORIZONS STUDIO TEAM
MONTANA RANCH EXPERIENCE

A fortnight ago, the New Horizons Studio Team continued their busy week with a Montana Ranch Experience in the Paradise Valley.

In 2022, the Yellowstone River saw historic flooding resulting in miles of damaged fence line on the O'Hair Ranch. As ‘give-back’ to the community and in appreciation of the O’Hair Ranch hosting this experience, the NHS embarked upon their inaugural Montana Service Project.

The combined effort cleared thousands of yards of barbed-wire and dozens of buried posts, preventing injury to livestock and a BIG 2023 Spring job now well-started. Thank you Hew Horizons Studio Team!

And we had some Montana Fun along the way!
INCENTIVIZING WORKFORCE SKILLS
One more week to learn and win cash prizes!

The Montana Chamber Foundation and Community Skills Initiative's awesome opportunity and chance to compete for $10,000 in cash prizes is in full steam.

There is still time to complete these FREE classes through LinkedIn Learning.

To sign up and start learning: https://www.communityskilling.org/partner/montana
THE PROSPECTS 2023
YEAR THREE OF OUR PROSPECTS BUSINESS PITCH COMPETITION!

A virtual statewide entrepreneurship competition for students with new ideas and existing small businesses. This collaborative initiative invests in our students while developing a mentorship platform to connect with business and community leaders. 

NEW THIS YEAR is an in-person competition for the TOP 10 winners of the high school Prospects competition to compete for the $5,000 Grand Champion prize in Bozeman.  This will be hosted by Montana State University's Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship.
NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Get a single part or prototype expertly made. Or bring an idea to life from start to finish. We’ve created a different kind of machine shop—one that combines traditional, high-volume lathing and milling with leading-edge 3-D printing and other advanced additive manufacturing to provide a unique and comprehensive mix of services.

Can you see new possibilities? So can we.
MONTANA BUSINESS NEWS
Adams Publishing picked up 13 newspapers in small communities across Montana in the deal for Yellowstone Newspapers, boosting its print holdings by 10%... READ MORE
Montana company is 'raising the bar' on trail cameras... READ MORE
THIS BUSINESS BRIEF IS SPONSORED BY