Gov. Gianforte Highlights Small Businesses, Strength of Rural Communities in Eastern Montana

Governor's Office

PLENTYWOOD, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte today continued his annual 56 County Tour in eastern Montana, meeting with childcare providers, small business owners, and producers to highlight the strength of Montana's rural communities and economies.

"Small businesses are the backbone of our local economies," Gov. Gianforte said. "From our teachers to our ag producers, hardworking Montanans across the Treasure State keep our communities strong and growing."

Gov. and First Lady Gianforte visiting with the owners of Rancher's Rail in Sheridan County

Starting the day in Circle, the governor visited the Little Wildcats Learning Center to recognize the pre-school as the first in McCone County. Opening in 2021, the center serves 14 families each year and often has a waitlist.

Recognizing the need for more childcare providers and teachers across Montana, Gov. Gianforte has prioritized investments in boosting starting teacher pay and increasing apprenticeship opportunities to build a skilled workforce. Through the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program, and newly established Teacher Apprenticeship Program, active apprentices are working in communities across Montana to receive paid, supervised, on the job training to support workforce needs in these industries.

"Childcare and early education options for families is a real need, not only for large counties but also for rural communities like ours," said Owner Heather Blakeslee. "The work the governor is doing to help increase the workforce for Montana preschool educators is great. Our children are vital for our future and centers like mine help equip the next generation with the tools they need before they go to elementary school."

Traveling to Daniels County, Gov. Gianforte visited the Pleasant Prairie Brewing and Taproom in Scobey to meet with the owners and highlight the local business adding value to Montana agriculture. The small business opened in 2022, brewing craft beers at its taproom and claiming to be, "Montana's Most Remote Brewery." The taproom serves as a location for community events and supports other small business owners like two local food trucks who park at the location.

In Sheridan County, Gov. Gianforte visited the future site of Rancher's Rail in Plentywood to highlight the new partnership between two Montana ranchers to establish a processing facility in eastern Montana. Recognizing that the nearest facility for producers was out-of-state and over 80 miles away, local ranchers Josh and Maggie Johnson and David and Shiela Friedrich got together to invest in starting a processing facility, retail store for local products, and a smokehouse to make jerky.

While the facility is still under construction, the owners expect to process 25 animals a week and also serve other producers in the area.

"We saw a need for producers in our community to have access to a reliable, local processing center," said owner Maggie Johnson. "Governor Gianforte has done a great job supporting small businesses, farmers, and ranchers across our state. His efforts are helping strengthen local agriculture and ensure producers like us can continue to grow and serve our communities."

Supporting increasing processing capacity in Montana and adding value to Montana's ag products is a top priority for the governor. Through the Montana Department of Agriculture, the state supports local meat processors and producers through grants of up to $50,000 and loans of up to $100,000 through the Growth Through Agriculture program.

In 2025, 25 Montana businesses and associated projects across the state were awarded funds through the program, from meat processors to dairy farms and value-added ag retail stores.

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