Registration Open for Montana Chamber Annual Meeting on Dec. 8

Join the Montana Chamber of Commerce in Helena on December 8 for Envision a Better Montana, our annual meeting luncheon from 12-1pm. We’ll reflect on the progress made through Envision 2026, the strategic plan that has guided the Chamber’s priorities for the past decade, and look ahead as we unveil Envision 2031, our new strategic plan for Montana’s business community.

Registration is open! Reserve your seat and join us as we look back at what we’ve accomplished and ahead to what’s possible for Montana.

Eye on the Vote: Montana Chamber Releases 2026 Voter Guide

Big Sky, Bright Future Summit Videos Available

If you weren't able to join us for the Big Sky, Bright Future Economic Summit or want to watch another panel again, all of our speakers and panelists were recorded and available now on our YouTube channel.

I-194 and the Voices of Business in Montana

Today, the Montana Chamber Foundation with Missoula County Public Schools is hosting a Cultivating Careers event at the Missoula Fairgrounds. We have been working since June to bring together over 30 companies, educators, and sponsors to share about their careers with over 500+ local 8^th graders.

These community-driven events highlight the power of businesses and schools supporting Career Technical Education (CTE). We appreciate the willingness of these community partners to share meaningful work-based learning experiences to help students develop the workforce readiness skills for the future.

Puget Sound Energy Announces New Solar Project in Montana

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) announced groundbreaking on the Battle Butte Solar Project, a 130 MW solar facility near Rapelje, Montana that will significantly contribute to the company's clean energy goals in compliance with Washington's Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA).

The Battle Butte project is forecasted to generate enough energy to power about 20,000 homes every year. The facility is strategically positioned to leverage existing transmission infrastructure due to its proximity to PSE's existing Beaver Creek wind facility in Stillwater County, Montana.

PSE has been a proud partner in Montana’s energy economy since the 1970s and continues to invest in the State of Montana and its communities. The Battle Butte Solar Project is expected to generate positive economic impacts for the local community during both construction and operational phases, supporting regional economic development while helping put more power on the grid. 

PSE anticipates that construction will require approximately 250 skilled workers, with an ongoing need for a small number of permanent on-site staff to support operations. Project spending, impact fees, and property taxes are expected to generate a range of benefits and services for the local community and surrounding area.



Read the full press release here.

Big Sky Food & Wine Festival Combines Culinary Excellence and Community Impact

The inaugural Big Sky Food & Wine Festival, hosted with support from Montana Chamber member Lone Mountain Land Company, brought acclaimed chefs, winemakers and food enthusiasts together for a three-day celebration of culinary talent. The event welcomed approximately 650 attendees each day and featured cooking demonstrations, tastings, live music and chef-led dinners, showcasing both nationally recognized culinary talent and Montana chefs.

The festival also made a meaningful contribution to the community. Organizers partnered with local food banks to donate approximately 300 pounds of leftover ingredients to the Big Sky Community Food Bank, with additional food sent to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. Ingredients that could not be donated were slated for composting, helping reduce waste.

The Montana Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Lawmaker Appreciation Reception on Wednesday, January 6 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Join us in welcoming the 70th Montana Legislature to Helena. Enjoy an evening of networking with policymakers and the business community.

PRICE: $125 / per person | Location will be disclosed to registered attendees only

This event is held in conjunction with Business Days at the Capitol which has already sold out. If you would like to be placed on a waitlist for the daytime seminars, fireside chats, and keynotes please email: Stacye@MontanaChamber.com.

MSU Centers, Institutes, and Core Facilities Day - Mon. November 9

Montana State University Research and Economic Development will be hosting it’s first combined Centers, Institutes, and Core Facilities day on Monday, November 9, 2026. MSU invites you and your colleagues to attend. 

This event is designed to showcase what Montana State University has to offer in terms of research resources and expertise. They're bringing together some of MSU's centers, institutes, and core facilities to highlight the technologies, equipment, and knowledge available across campus. As external partners curious about what MSU can offer to industry, this event is a great opportunity to connect with the people and resources driving research forward.

The morning's featured presenters will be Dr. Jayne Downey with Center for Research for Rural Education and Dr. Katey Franklin with Center for Mental Health Research & Recovery.

The afternoon will include three tracks in concurrent sessions that include, Montana Area Health Education Center (AHEC), Extreme Biology Institute, Incubator/Prototyping Lab, Social Data Collection & Analysis Services and more.

You're invited to please come and discover how these resources can support Montana's economic vitality whether through specialized equipment, expert consulting, or new partnership opportunities. Stop by, ask questions, and explore everything MSU is doing in research.

Please share this opportunity with others who may be interested. We hope to see you at Centers, Institutes, and Core Facilities day.

Montana Energy Business Alliance to Host Dinner Discussion on Data Center Electricity Demand

Join the Montana Energy Business Alliance for a dinner in Bozeman on Thursday, November 10 exploring how data center electricity demand is shaping energy development, infrastructure investment, and economic opportunity in Montana.

Keynote speaker Betsy Hale of Cheyenne LEADS will share insights from Cheyenne’s experience with data center growth. A panel discussion will follow exploring what large energy users mean for new generation, grid reliability, and Montana’s energy future.

All are welcome but advance registration is required. We hope to see you there!

Focused and Festive: Staying Productive & Reducing Stress While Enjoying the Fun

Written by Josie Teegarden, Payroll Coordinator/HR Business Partner

As the year begins to wind down, the holiday season commences, and workplace life begins to change. Co-workers’ emails soon flash an “out of office” notice and calendars pile up with year-end to dos. Teams start to juggle their professional agenda with personal obligations and aspirations more than usual. For many, wrapping up the year walks a fine line between gracefully succeeding and clumsy finale.

As a result, while the holiday season brings a mix of joy and laughter, it also creates a fair amount of stress both at home and at work. Here are just a few simple ways or reminders to make the end of this year manageable, yet enjoyable.

• Invest In Yourself: Between sickness and sanity lies your wellbeing, and it is most important that you take care of you. Food, exercise, and sleep are the most basic, yet often neglected life essentials. The better you sleep, eat, and feel, the more likely you are to stay motivated throughout each day.
• Control the Controllable: Stress is often built when we give too much thought to that which we cannot control. Are you focusing on things that are preventable, fixable, or helpful, or are you wasting time on things that you cannot change? Control what you can control and trust that the rest will find its place.
• Prioritize & Take One Thing at a Time: Whether you have a lot to do, or little at all, do your best to prioritize. Accomplishing the most important things first will help to reduce stress and increase productivity. Looking at the big picture can be overwhelming. Focus on one task at a time, until eventually it snowballs.
• Utilize Your Schedule: Schedules are your friend! Write down what you need to get done and when. Throughout the season’s chaos, schedules can help to keep you grounded.
• Enjoy the little things: We spend so much of our time wishing, planning, or regretting that we often lose sight of the positives. What is one thing that brightened your day? 
• Stay Flexible: ‘Tis the season for love and laughter, memories and sorrow, and everything in between; it looks different for everyone, and anything could happen. When we learn to expect the unexpected, we adapt to take life as it comes to us. “Blessed are those flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.”- Unknown Author.

So, as the workplace tends to change these next few months, remember what is important. Control the controllable, expect the unexpected, and take things as they come. Smile and laugh, for life is too short. When all else fails, never forget to get back up and try again. 

Since their founding in 1957, Bridger Pipeline has been a steadfast force in midstream oil transportation across the Rocky Mountain region. Built on handshake values and a commitment to doing the right thing, they’ve earned their reputation as a dependable partner in an ever-evolving industry.

Their 4,000-mile pipeline network and customer-first mindset reflect decades of continuous investment in infrastructure, safety, and service. From day one, their goal has been simple: deliver energy with integrity.

Learn more at bridgerpipeline.com.

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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