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Home My WebLink About06-18-25 Correspondence - MT Dept of Commerce - Commerce Quarterly Newsletter_ Q2, 2025From:Montana Department of CommerceTo:Bozeman Public CommentSubject:[EXTERNAL]Commerce Quarterly Newsletter: Q2, 2025Date:Wednesday, June 18, 2025 11:01:41 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Recent Commerce News and Success Stories Commerce Quarterly Newsletter Second Quarter, 2025 Welcome to the “Commerce Quarterly,” a newsletter designed to provide constituents and stakeholders with long-form updates on the Montana Department of Commerce’s success stories, as well as innovative opportunities to engage with the department and participate in building the future of Montana’s economy. This newsletter is delivered four times per year covering a variety of topics to showcase the many ways Commerce is working with businesses and community leaders across the state. Commerce Welcomes New Director Marta Bertoglio On June 16, 2025, Gov. Greg Gianforte announced the appointment of Marta Bertoglio as Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. FULL ARTICLE Marta Bertoglio Marta Bertoglio was sworn into her new role on June 16, 2025. Montana Board of Housing Turns 50 MBOH 50th The Montana Board of Housing is using this new logo in 2025 to celebrate its 50-year anniversary. FULL ARTICLE This year marks an important milestone for the Montana Board of Housing: It has been supporting the development of safe, accessible and affordable homes for individuals and families across Montana for over 50 years. America Lives Here Gov. Greg Gianforte drives the Montana truck at the World-Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale. Photo by: Governor’s Office. Montana Unveils New Brand, Marketing Strategy and Launches Montana Tour On May 16, 2025, Gov. Greg Gianforte joined the Montana Department of Commerce at the World-Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale to unveil Montana’s new brand. The new Montana brand was created to represent residents by promoting the entire state, attracting and dispersing travel, celebrating and marketing Montana’s businesses, welcoming new businesses, uplifting rural communities and their stories and celebrating Montana’s heritage and character. FULL ARTICLE Montana Mill Works Nick Chiasson of Montana Custom Millworks in Billings stands in front of their new kiln dryer. Photo by: Montana Custom Millworks. Billings Wood Products Company Utilizes Commerce Loan to Enhance Business Operations FULL ARTICLE In 2023, Montana Custom Millwork of Billings received a $420,000 loan from the Montana Department of Commerce to purchase new equipment to enhance business operations and efficiencies. The funding was through Commerce’s Montana Wood Products Revolving Loan Fund program. FULL ARTICLE In the summer of 1971, Gus Byrom joined a team of fellow University of Colorado — Boulder students studying the impact of the proposed 1976 Olympic games on Colorado’s small towns. In the process of examining the infrastructure challenges of hosting the Olympics, Byrom discovered a new career path. Though he graduated with majors in history and political science, that study changed everything. Gus Byrom Has Retired After Over 38 Years with Commerce Gus Byrom Gus Byrom's last day with Commerce was June 2, 2025. FULL ARTICLE MFFA Word Cloud Conduit bonds play a vital role in driving economic development. Montana’s Conduit Bond Financing Options Expanded for Nonprofits,Businesses The Montana Facility Finance Authority, administratively attached to the Montana Department of Commerce, will now begin providing conduit bonds to a broader range of projects. With the passage of Senate Bill 104, signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte on April 16, 2025, more Montana businesses and nonprofits will benefit from a clear, reliable route to the bond market — without relying on taxpayer funds. Commerce Partners withIndustry to Advance Smart Manufacturing Montana businesses are successfully Diversified Plastics An employee at Diversified Plastics in Missoula works on their new plastic injection molding machine. Photo by: Diversified Plastics.FULL ARTICLE leveraging advanced smart manufacturing to make their businesses more agile, thanks to a 2024 federal grant award which creates opportunities for Montana manufacturers, schools and colleges to see, learn about and interact with innovative tools. Rimrocks Trail The Rimrocks Trail in Billings, between the airport and downtown, is part of the city's network of parks and FULL ARTICLE trails. Commerce Unveils One-Stop Planning Platform In 2022, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Association gave each state $1 million to identify assets and economic resources and to develop plans to benefit their economies. As the country recovered from the pandemic, the EDA distributed these grant funds to incentivize communities to grow. FULL ARTICLE Great Falls SBDC Rural Business Advisor Wins National Award for Excellence The Montana Small Business Development Center Network, headquartered at the Montana Department of Commerce, recently announced that SBDC Rural Business Advisor Rich Gannon has been named the 2025 Montana “State Star.” Rich Gannon Rich Gannon will be honored in September at the national ASBDC conference in Orlando, Fla. Employee Spotlights Craig Woods Anita Proul First Quarter, 2025: Craig Woods Craig Woods was recently honored with the Department of Commerce's first quarter employee spotlight. Woods has been with Commerce since December 2012, starting as an accountant for the Director’s Office. He was promoted to budget manager in August 2020. He also previously worked in Commerce’s Housing Division from June 2007 to December 2011, serving a total of 18 years thus far with the State of Montana. Woods is a huge asset to Commerce. His leadership, guidance and organization through the 2025 Legislative Session kept everyone informed, up-to-date and ready to support Commerce programs, bills and more. He is always happy to provide guidance, and no question is off limits. Woods leveraged his experience from prior legislative sessions to provide a big picture perspective, which helps ensure the agency was prepared for a multitude of outcomes and scenarios. He diligently tracked bills to ensure staff was well-informed and prepared to respond appropriately. Commerce’s success during legislative sessions is due in large part to Woods’ hard work. Second Quarter, 2025: Anita Proul Anita Proul was recently recognized with the Department of Commerce's second quarter employee spotlight. Since starting her career with the State of Montana by joining Commerce's Community MT Division in January 2019, Proul has worked as an executive assistant and office manager and is now the division's administrative support supervisor. Proul is often described as the glue that keeps operations running smoothly in the Community MT Division. While her primary focus is her division, she is always willing to help in other areas of Commerce whenever needed. She manages a wide variety of responsibilities and is often tasked with other requests or projects, which she skillfully completes without complaint. Proul is recognized by her coworkers as having a strong and dedicated work ethic. She handles each day with grace, professionalism and positivity, and her commitment to providing excellent customer service is evident each day. We are so fortunate to have her as a colleague here at Commerce. More About Commerce Commerce works alongside business and community leaders throughout Montana to assist in growing Montana's economy, planning for growth in our communities and facilitating affordable housing for Montanans. Commerce's programs provide funding and investment opportunities, technical assistance and research and data services. Commerce's website provides additional program information, news and events. Each edition of the "Commerce Quarterly" is comprised of a small sample of the many services and programs provided by dedicated staff every day. You can subscribe to receive the Commerce "Weekly Roundup" email that provides a short, succinct weekly update on Commerce grants and loans, meetings and events and other important dates and updates. You can also sign up for Commerce's Made in Montana newsletter, Commerce press releases and other Commerce email communications. Subscribe to More Montana Department of Commerce 301 S Park Ave, Helena, MT 59620 This email was sent to comments@bozeman.net using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: MontanaDepartment of Commerce · P.O. Box 200501 · Helena, MT 59620-0501 Contact Us: 406-841-2700 commerce.mt.gov View as a webpage Unsubscribe Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. Discover information about additional topics at Commerce. Sign up for more topics. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. Montana Department of Commerce 301 S Park Ave, Helena, MT 59620406-841-2700