Montana Chamber of Commerce on I-194: Montana Plan Bad for Montana Business | | |
Montana businesses should have a voice in the policies that directly impact their employees, industries, and communities. In a recent op-ed, the Montana Chamber, alongside the Billings and Kalispell Chambers, outlines concerns with Initiative 194 (which advocates call "The Montana Plan") and why the proposal could silence Montana businesses while still allowing wealthy out-of-state individuals to influence elections.
The initiative could affect family-owned businesses, nonprofits, trade organizations, and local employers that regularly advocate on issues important to their operations and communities. It also raises questions about fairness, free speech, and the long-term implications for Montana’s business climate and economic competitiveness.
We encourage members to read the full op-ed and the full ballot initiative to better understand what’s at stake for Montana employers and the broader business community.
Read the full op-ed at the link below.
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| More Informational Data Center Webinars This Week & Next | |
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Data center development is a hot topic in Montana and the nation. This spring, the Montana Chamber of Commerce has hosted a number of informational webinars, covering data centers and electricity, water use, permitting and construction impacts.
We've got more speakers lined up over the next few weeks on data centers - register for each respective webinars at their link below.
Find all the recordings, more information on our speakers, and the zoom links to register at the link below.
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| Public Service Commission Asks Gov. Gianforte to Suspend Commissioner Molnar | | Business Leader Survey from National Association of State Chambers | | The National Association of State Chambers is again conducting its national business leader survey to gather important data on business sentiment and economic outlook. The survey is open through June. Share your thoughts at the link below! | |
| Montana Chamber Foundation News | | The Prospects In-Person Pitch Finals Held in Bozeman | |
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The Montana Chamber Foundation proudly announced the 2026 Grand Champion and Top Awards of The Prospects, Montana’s premier youth entrepreneurship competition, following a live pitch competition held May 18 at Montana State University’s Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship.
The culminating event brought together the top five finalists from both the New Business and Existing Business divisions for the opportunity to compete for the coveted Grand Champion title and $18,000 in cash prizes.
The Grand Champions in the existing business and new business categories are listed below. Check out the full list of winners in our press release.
Grand Champion – $5,000 Prize
YAU Studios
Declan Reed, Hellgate High School, Missoula
YAU Studios is a custom clothing business featuring original designs created by Declan himself. He impressed judges with both his creativity and strong business structure, proving that hustle and execution are a winning combination.
Grand Champion – $5,000 Prize
Enduro Surf
Lachlan Lurgio, Hellgate High School, Missoula
Inspired by river surfing and an injury his father sustained while participating in the sport, Lachlan developed a rash guard designed to function as an orthopedic support tool for surfers. He also collaborated with a local physical therapist to create a working prototype.
| | | Follow the Montana Chamber Foundation on Social Media! | |
| First Interstate Bank Placed on Newsweek's America's Greatest Workplaces List | |
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Congratulations to our Treasure State Member First Interstate Bank for recently being placed on Newsweek’s list of 2026 America’s Greatest Workplaces.
First Interstate received recognition from Newsweek in two categories: America's Greatest Workplaces for Perks & Benefits and America's Greatest Workplaces for Entry Level. On the Perks & Benefits list, First Interstate ranked 5th overall in banking and 1st in Montana. On the Entry Level list, the Bank ranked 14th overall in banking and 5th in Montana — the only Montana-based bank to earn a spot.
| | Big Sky Digital Infrastructure Shares Power Statement & Answers to Frequently Asked Questions | |
| Quantica and Big Sky Digital Infrastructure have shared a few documents about their ongoing data center project near Broadview. Check out the links below for their press release about their commitment to pay for their own power, as well as a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the project. | | AI Tech Scholarships Available for Small Business Employees | |
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Small business employees looking to build AI and technology skills may be eligible for funding through the Smart Futures for Small Business Scholarship program. Supported by American Express and administered by Scholarship America, the program offers scholarships of up to $1,000 for eligible employees pursuing AI certification programs, coursework, or training opportunities.
The scholarship is designed to help small business employees gain practical skills in areas like generative AI, business intelligence, analytics, marketing, and more, helping both employees and employers stay competitive in a rapidly changing economy. Applications are open now and due by June 10, 2026.
Learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply today.
| | American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Grant Opportunity through MT Dept. of Labor & Industry | |
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If you're building or operating a Registered Apprenticeship Program, you may qualify for $3,500 per apprentice to help grow your workforce!
The American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund is a $35.8 million national initiative designed to help manufacturer's expand paid, on-the-job training through Registered Apprenticeships in advanced manufacturing.
The info sheet linked below explains the incentive details, who is an eligible apprentice or employer, and more. For even more information, check out https://apprenticeship.mt.gov/.
| | 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. | | Upcoming Chamber & Foundation Events | | 2026 Montana Chamber Foundation Governors' Cup Golf Tournament | Thursday, July 30 - Saturday, August 1 | | | | |
The 37th Annual Governors' Cup Golf Tournament will tee off with the Montana Chamber Foundation and Glacier Bank's Ace in the Hole Reception & Barbecue. Set in the beautiful Flathead Valley, the event serves as the largest networking and business development gathering. Open to the public, this is your opportunity to forge connections with over 600 professionals and policy makers.
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Flathead Valley Community College
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Contact stacye@montanachamber.com for sponsorship information.
| | For non-golfers looking to participate in the Ace in the Hole and leverage your time in the Flathead, we are excited to announce the 3rd Annual Stockman Bank Give It a Shot Trap Shooting Tournament on Friday, July 31. Spend the day at Flathead Valley Clay Target Club competing and meet up with your golf enthusiast friends in the evening. | | | |
Suits to Sandals - Summer Dress Codes
Written by Ben Thoeny, HR Business Partner
As the weather warms up, it’s not just the thermostat that changes; people’s expectations around what’s okay to wear to work do too. Summer brings a fresh spotlight on dress code policies, and it's a great time for companies to reassess how they balance professionalism with comfort and individuality.
A strict, one-size-fits-all dress code just doesn’t cut it year-round. When the heat kicks in, people naturally gravitate toward lighter clothes; think breathable fabrics, short sleeves, and maybe even open-toe shoes. After all, nothing says “I’m ready for that 10 a.m. budget meeting” like flip-flops that sound like a slow round of applause. The trick is finding that sweet spot where flexibility doesn’t mean letting go of professional standards.
That’s where smart summer dress guidelines come in. These policies can help employees stay cool while still keeping it work-appropriate. For instance, some workplaces give the green light to polo shirts, linen, or short pants but still draw the line at anything too casual or revealing. The idea is: you can stay comfortable without compromising on credibility; especially if you’re dealing with clients or working in a more formal setting.
Clear communication is key. If summer dress code updates aren’t clearly shared and consistently applied, it can lead to mixed messages, or worse, favoritism. No one wants to feel like different rules apply to different people.
But dress codes go beyond just what people wear. They also say a lot about company culture. Paulo Pisano, CHRO at Booking Holdings, put it well: “Every organization has a culture, whether it’s been intentionally shaped or not.” So what your team wears can reflect what your company values. A more formal dress code might hint at tradition and structure, while relaxed rules often signal creativity and innovation.
There’s also science behind how clothes affect us. Researchers call it “enclothed cognition”—basically, what we wear can shape how we think and perform. In one study, participants performed better on focus-related tasks when they wore a lab coat they believed belonged to a doctor. So dressing the part might actually help you be the part. On the flip side, people who have freedom to choose what to wear to work tend to have higher engagement and job satisfaction.
Modern dress codes should be fair, flexible, and inclusive, and that starts with involving employees in the conversation when updating policies. Managers also play a crucial role, as their interpretation and enforcement of dress codes can either strengthen a positive workplace culture or completely undermine it.
Ultimately, dress codes are about more than just appearances. When thoughtfully designed and updated with the seasons, they help teams stay comfortable, professional, and focused year-round.
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Pacific Steel & Recycling, headquartered in Great Falls, Montana, is a long established, employee owned enterprise with more than a century of continuous operation. Originating as a small scrap business in the early 1900s, the company has grown into one of the leading steel service centers and recycling organizations in the Northwestern United States and the Northern Plains. Their history and evolution are documented in Shooting Straight: A History of Pacific Steel & Recycling, which outlines the company’s enduring commitment to integrity, resilience, and community partnership.
Today, Pacific Steel & Recycling operates a network of locations that provide high quality steel products, responsible recycling services, and dependable customer support. As an employee owned organization, they maintain a culture of accountability and shared purpose, ensuring that every team member is invested in delivering consistent value and service excellence. Their long standing presence, sustainable business practices, and strong regional relationships continue to position us as a trusted partner for customers, communities, and industry stakeholders.
Learn more here: https://www.pacific-steel.com/about-us/
| | 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 | | | | | |
