Gianforte Wraps up Montana Small Business Tour

WASHINGTON – Montana Congressman Greg Gianforte recently concluded his Montana Small Business Tour, which coincided with National Small Business Week (April 29 - May 5). Gianforte’s tour included stops in Bozeman, Missoula, Ronan, Kalispell, and Great Falls to discuss issues important to Montana’s small businesses.

“Montana’s Main Street businesses and our entrepreneurs are critical to our economy. They create jobs and serve our communities,” Gianforte said. “Since earlier this year, I’ve never seen Montana’s small business owners more optimistic about the future of their businesses and our economy.”

About 120,000 small businesses in Montana employ nearly 245,000 Montanans, approximately two-thirds of the state’s private-sector workers.

Gianforte’s observation on small business optimism tracks with nationwide data. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index, which gauges small business optimism, saw its fourth consecutive quarterly increase in the first quarter of 2018, the largest quarterly increase on record. The CNBC/Survey Monkey Q2 Small Business Confidence Index remains near its record-level high from the first quarter.

“The policies Republicans are enacting in Washington are working in Montana. Reforming the tax code and cutting red tape are opening the doors of opportunity further for our small businesses and hardworking Montanans,” Gianforte said.

Gianforte voted in December for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the first reform of the federal tax code in more than 30 years. The new tax law cuts rates for taxpayers at every income level, expands the standard deduction, doubles the child tax credit, and provides needed relief to Montana’s small businesses.

Bozeman: Gianforte visited Mystery Ranch, which builds packs for hunting, recreation, firefighting, and the military, and sells them all over the world. Company officials and Gianforte talked about the importance of free and fair trade, improving access to public lands, and the positive impact of recently enacted tax cuts. Mystery Ranch employs more than 80 workers in the Bozeman area.

Missoula: Gianforte spoke about the need to improve the health of Montana forests and reduce the severity of wildfires at the Montana Counties Forest Summit. A leading proponent of forest management reforms, Gianforte sponsored the Resilient Federal Forests Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2017. The measure addresses the growing economic and environmental threats of catastrophic wildfires.

Ronan: Congressman Gianforte met with the owner of Westland Seed, a Ronan-based small business that serves the region. Gianforte, local officials, and the small business owner discussed the 2018 Farm Bill, electronic logging devices, and the benefits of tax reform. The owner of Westland Seed, which regularly employs 35 workers, reported hiring more people because of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Kalispell: The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce presented Gianforte with the Spirit of Enterprise Award. The award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recognizes members of the U.S. House and Senate who have voted for pro-growth policies and Main Street businesses. Gianforte also toured Hagadone Digital, a member of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce that hosted the chamber’s event.

Great Falls: Congressman Gianforte led a roundtable forum with local contractors and members of the Montana Building Industry Association (MBIA). The group discussed the importance of ensuring fair trade, encouraging workforce training programs, and reducing burdensome regulations. The MBIA also presented Gianforte with the Defender of Housing Award, which recognizes federal legislators for their support of the homebuilding industry.