HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-19-25 Correspondence - Montana Department of Commerce - Commerce Quarterly Newsletter_ Q4, 2025From:Montana Department of CommerceTo:Bozeman Public CommentSubject:[EXTERNAL]Commerce Quarterly Newsletter: Q4, 2025Date:Wednesday, December 17, 2025 9:01:46 AM
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Recent Commerce News and Success Stories
Commerce Quarterly Newsletter
Fourth 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.
A Message From Director Marta Bertoglio
Director Marta Bertoglio
Director Marta Bertoglio reflects on her time at the Montana Department of Commerce since her appointment
in June. Photo credit: Commerce.
Looking back on my first few months as director of the Montana Department of
Commerce, I’m proud to lead a great agency doing exceptional work for the people of
this state. When I joined Commerce in June, I asked only that each team member work
to the best of his or her ability each day to serve our fellow Montanans. Since then, I’ve
seen time and again how dedicated public employees can turn an agency’s mission
into positive outcomes for our neighbors.
FULL ARTICLE
Governor Leads Trade Mission to South Korea,
Japan
Seoul meeting
Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio, First Lady Susan Gianforte and Gov. Greg Gianforte and industry
representatives at a meeting with the Korea World Class Association in Seoul on Oct. 21. Photo credit:
Governor’s Office.
From Oct. 19-25, Gov. Greg Gianforte led a trade mission to South Korea and Japan.
Montana Department of Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio accompanied the
governor and first lady alongside key individuals from government and private industry.
Staff from Commerce’s Business Attraction and Diplomacy, International Relations,
International Tourism Program and Export teams joined the delegation.
FULL ARTICLE
Commerce Team Receives National Award for
Statewide Rental Cost Survey
NCSHA award
Section 8 Program Manager Kelly Shields, MBOH Executive Director Cheryl Cohen, Operations Manager Joe
DeFilippis and Research Economist Ben Gill accepted the award from the National Council of State Housing
Agencies. Photo credit: Commerce.
On Oct. 6, the Montana Board of Housing received national recognition for its Fair
Market Rent Reevaluation Survey — the first geographically large, statewide survey of
its kind. Staff from the MBOH, which is administratively attached to the Montana
Department of Commerce, accepted the award from the National Council of State
Housing Agencies at its annual conference in New Orleans.
FULL ARTICLE
Commerce Agritourism Grants Help Business
Owners Craft Memorable Montana Experiences
Ag Tourism
Kenn (not pictured) and Susan McCarty of Live Oak Belgians (left) and Piper Meuwissen and Nancy Tanner of
Border Farm (right) are using Agritourism Grant funds to tap into the experience economy. Photo credits:
Commerce.
Late last year, the Montana Department of Commerce’s Agritourism Grants Program
awarded $350,000 to 17 projects across the state. These projects will diversify
agricultural operations and strengthen community-based tourism opportunities,
bringing Montana to life for visitors and residents alike.
FULL ARTICLE
Montana Coal Board and Commerce Staff Witness
Impact of Grants in Big Horn County
Tennis Courts Signage
Attendees display signage at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Hardin’s new tennis courts, funded in part by a
grant from the Montana Coal Board. Photo credit: Commerce.
On Sept. 11, members of the Montana Coal Board and staff from the Montana
Department of Commerce toured Hardin to see projects and equipment that were
wholly or partially funded by Montana Coal Board grants in Hardin and Big Horn
County.
FULL ARTICLE
Eight Commerce Employees Receive Governor's Award
Governor's award recipients
Commerce employees accepted their awards on Oct. 27 at the Great Northern Best Western Convention
Center in Helena. Left: Gov. Greg Gianforte and Craig Woods. Middle: Kelly Shields, Cheryl Cohen, Gov.
Gianforte, Joe DeFilippis and Ben Gill. Right: Micky Zurcher, Lauren Dean, Gov. Gianforte and Jordan Conley.
Photo credits: Montana Department of Administration.
On Oct. 27, eight Montana Department of Commerce employees were honored by
Gov. Greg Gianforte with the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Performance. This
annual award recognizes exceptional accomplishments and dedicated public service
among State of Montana employees. Ceremony attendees gathered at the Great
Northern Best Western Convention Center in Helena.
FULL ARTICLE
GO Housing Fund Will Positively Impact Affordable
Housing in Montana
Baatz Block Apartments
Future affordable housing projects like the Baatz Block Apartments, which opened in Great Falls in September,
gained a flexible new funding resource through House Bill 924. Photo credit: Commerce.
For the first time in Montana’s history, affordable housing will receive ongoing state
appropriations with the creation of the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust. House
Bill 924, sponsored by Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, and signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte
on June 19, created the GO Trust and, within it, the GO Housing Fund. This flexible
new resource will be available to fund affordable housing projects both large and small
across the state.
FULL ARTICLE
Lost Horse Lodge Open for Business with Help
from Commerce Tourism Grant Program
Lost Horse Lodge
On Sept. 22, state legislators, community stakeholders and Montana Department of Commerce staff gathered
at the Lost Horse Lodge in Hamilton. Photo credit: Commerce.
Lost Horse Lodge in Hamilton, established in the late 19th century as a roadside
saloon, grew into a full-service mountain getaway with a restaurant, banquet hall and
guest cabins before financial hardship caused it to sit unused for over a decade. Once
a gathering place for loggers, adventurers and travelers, the remote lodge in
Montana’s Bitterroot Valley fell into disrepair.
FULL ARTICLE
At Commerce’s Census and Economic Information
Center, Data Works for Montana Industry
Bozeman
Bozeman, where diversified industries drive population and job growth, is one of many communities using
insights from Commerce’s Census and Economic Information Center for infrastructure planning and economic
development. Photo credit: Andy Austin.
The Montana Department of Commerce’s Census and Economic Information Center,
the state’s designated data center for the U.S. Census Bureau, is the primary resource
for economic and census data in Montana. The CEIC is housed in the Research and
Information Services Bureau at Commerce. CEIC assists new businesses and
entrepreneurs with data-driven support for business planning and market research.
FULL ARTICLE
Fourth Quarter Employee Spotlight: Chris Ryan
Chris Ryan
Chris Ryan was recognized in the fourth quarter employee spotlight for her support of Commerce’s Wood
Products Revolving Loan Fund and Native American Collateral Support Program. Photo credit: Commerce.
Congratulations to our fourth quarter employee spotlight, Chris Ryan, Revolving Loan
Program specialist with the Montana Department of Commerce’s Business MT
Division. The employee spotlight recognizes members of the Commerce team for their
dedication, hard work and commitment to the agency’s mission. Chris was chosen for
her support of the Wood Products Revolving Loan Fund and the Native American
Collateral Support Program.
FULL ARTICLE
1Ō5 Brewing: A Small Business Success Story in
Billings
1O5 Brewing
A craft brewery and coffee shop combined, 1Ō5 Brewing opened this year in Billings with business assistance
from the Montana SBDC. Photo credit: 1Ō5 Brewing.
In 2021, Billings native Travis Zeilstra decided to open 1Ō5 Brewing. With over 20
years of experience in the craft beer industry and a passion for traditional brewing
techniques, Zeilstra was well prepared to make his mark on the craft brewery scene.
But when it came to pinpointing financial projections and crafting a business plan, he
knew he needed help.
FULL ARTICLE
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
Contact Us: 406-841-2700
commerce.mt.gov
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Montana Department of Commerce
301 S Park Ave, Helena, MT 59620406-841-2700
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