Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | |
| Montana Tax Changes Effective This Fall | | |
As Montana property tax bills arrive in mailboxes this November, taxpayers will see significant changes due to legislation passed in the 2025 session.
The attached article provided by the Montana Taxpayers Association outlines how these changes might affect you, depending on the type and value of your property and the taxing jurisdictions where you live or operate. HB 231 and SB 542 made the most significant changes to property tax policy last session, changing rates for residential and commercial properties. The information linked below explains these changes in detail as well as upcoming shifts to school funding.
Thank you to our friends at the Montana Taxpayers Association for allowing us to share your information. For those interested in learning more or becoming a member of the Montana Taxpayers, please visit montax.org.
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| Montana Chamber's 2026 Judicial Review Available | | |
The Montana Chamber of Commerce has released its 2026 Judicial Review, continuing our tradition of examining decisions from the Montana Supreme Court and their potential impact on Montana’s business community. The biennial review covers key 2024–2025 decisions across areas including employment, natural resources, insurance, medical malpractice, taxation, tort, workers’ compensation and more. It also examines the Court’s decisions through the Montana Chamber’s established review criteria and provides a look at individual justices’ records during the review period and over their careers.
The publication also features a conversation with Workers’ Compensation Court Judge Lee Bruner, offering insight into the court’s role, trends in workers’ compensation disputes, and issues affecting Montana employers and workers.
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| Deciphering Data Centers: Potential Benefits | | |
Montana, like much of the country, has had a number of conversations about data center development.
As the discussion continues, experiences from other communities can provide useful perspective. In Part 2 of the Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association’s Deciphering Data Centers series, they examine the example of Quincy, Washington, and how data centers have affected the community’s tax base, public infrastructure, workforce and local investment. The story offers a look at the potential economic and community impacts of data-center development and provides context for Montana businesses and communities engaged in this conversation.
Read the full article from our friends at the Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association.
| | China's Secret Weapon in the AI Arms Race: American Fear | | |
As artificial intelligence and data-center development continue to shape the U.S. economy, the conversation extends beyond technology to questions of energy, infrastructure, regulation and national competitiveness. This op-ed linked below examines those issues through the lens of U.S.-China competition, arguing that legitimate public concerns about AI and data centers can be exploited by foreign actors seeking to slow American technological development.
As Montana and the nation consider how best to approach these emerging technologies, perspectives like this raise questions worth considering about innovation, infrastructure, energy and the information shaping public debate.
| | Montana Chamber Foundation News | | MT Chamber Foundation Cultivating Careers Events This Fall | |
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This fall, the Montana Chamber Foundation is holding Cultivating Careers events in Miles City, Glendive, and Missoula. Any interested businesses or community partners can register for any of these upcoming Cultivating Careers opportunities by clicking on the links below or contacting James Easton (james@montanachamber.com) or Michele Holmes (michele@montanachamber.com) for more information. These events aim to bring career awareness experiences to students within their own communities, illustrating different possible careers close to home.
| | Follow the Montana Chamber Foundation on Social Media! | |
| First Interstate Bank Hosts Companywide Volunteer Day Today, September 16 | |
On Wednesday, September 16, First Interstate Bank will close all branch offices at noon local time for our ninth annual Volunteer Day, a companywide initiative that encourages employees to serve their communities.
Almost 400 service projects are planned across the Bank’s 10-state footprint, ranging from food bank support and park cleanups to nonprofit outreach and school supply drives. Volunteer Day reflects First Interstate’s long-standing commitment to community service, a core value since our founding nearly 60 years ago.
“Volunteer Day is one of the many ways we invest in the communities that support us every day,” said Jim Reuter, President and CEO of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. “By stepping outside the workplace and into our neighborhoods, our employees build meaningful connections and help make a difference where it matters most.”
While branch offices will be closed the afternoon of September 16, the Client Contact Center will remain open until 7 p.m. MT. Clients can also access their accounts via ATMs, online banking, and the mobile banking app. Regular banking hours will resume on Thursday, September 17.
| | Do you have news to share about your business or organization? Let us know - we'd love to share it! Send your press releases or articles to Sheridan Hoyer at sheridan@montanachamber.com. | | Montana Chamber & Foundation Events | | Register for the Big Sky, Bright Future Economic Summit - Oct. 15, 2026 | | |
Join business leaders, policymakers, economic development partners, and community stakeholders at the 2026 Big Sky, Bright Future Economic Summit, co-hosted by Governor Greg Gianforte and the Montana Chamber of Commerce.
Taking place October 15 in Bozeman, the Summit will feature timely discussions on Montana's economic future, opportunities to connect with key decision-makers, and insights into the issues shaping our state's business climate. Secure your spot today and be part of the conversation.
Sponsorship information is available here. For any questions, please contact Stacye Dorrington at stacye@montanachamber.com.
| | 2026 MT Young Professionals Summit in Billings, October 1-2 | | |
Registration is now open for the 2026 Montana Young Professionals Summit: Built for This, October 1–2 at The Paper Mill in downtown Billings.
The Montana Young Professionals Summit brings together emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, business owners, students, managers, and young professionals from across the state for two days of leadership development, meaningful connections, and conversations focused on the future of Montana. This year’s theme, Built for This, celebrates the people, industries, businesses, and communities shaping what’s next for our state.
What to Expect
Over two days, the Montana Young Professionals Summit will create opportunities to connect with professionals from across Montana while exploring topics that matter to the future of our workforce and communities, including:
- Leadership and professional growth
- Workforce development
- Entrepreneurship and innovation
- Agriculture
- Healthcare
- Career growth and opportunities in Montana
- Building stronger businesses and communities
Whether you are just beginning your career or already leading a team or business, the Summit is designed to help you build meaningful relationships, develop professionally, and gain new perspectives on the opportunities ahead for Montana.
FULL SUMMIT PRICING
Chamber Member: $249
Non-Member: $299
Table of 8: $1,800
Join young professionals and business leaders from across Montana for two days of ideas, connections, and inspiration. You’re Built for This.
| | The Future of Artificial Intelligence Summit at MSU, October 1-2 | | |
AI is on everyone's mind these days. Check out the opportunities to learn more about the potential that this industry holds!
The Future of AI Summit @ MSU - Exploring the possibilities and challenges of AI for human knowledge.
Sponsored by the Interdisciplinary Institute on Artificial Intelligence at Montana State University.
Dates: October 1-2, 2026 (Bozeman, MT)
Register Here: https://www.montana.edu/ai/the-future-of-ai/
We'll also be discussing AI at our Big Sky, Bright Future Economic Summit on October 15, 2026 in Bozeman.
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The Montana Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome Workday as a new member.
As a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for finance, human resources, planning, and analytics, Workday empowers organizations to adapt, grow, and thrive in an ever-changing business environment.
We are excited to have Workday join our statewide network of businesses and leaders!
| | Are you interested in joining the Montana Chamber of Commerce? Fill out the form below and we'll be in touch! | | This Business Brief is Sponsored by Treasure State Member | | To learn more about Treasure State Membership benefits for your business, contact Matt Olson, Chief Strategy Officer, at Matthew@montanachamber.com | 406.360.6443 | | Follow us on Social Media | | | | | |
