Governor Gianforte Celebrates Investment in Great Falls High School House Program

Joins Mike Rowe, NeighborWorks Great Falls, and Wells Fargo to highlight skilled trades and workforce development initiatives

Governor's Office

GREAT FALLS, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte today joined NeighborWorks Great Falls to receive an update from students on the status of the High School House Project and celebrate a $200,000 investment from Wells Fargo in the program.

"As Montanans, we believe in the value of hard work and the dignity of every job," Gov. Gianforte said. "The High School House Program allows students to gain in-demand skills to meet our workforce needs while helping more Montana families achieve the dream of homeownership. It's great to celebrate the progress of another home being built in Great Falls thanks to the dedication of our students and support from community partners."

Gov. Gianforte (middle left) and Mike Rowe (right) talking with Great Falls students participating in the High School House Program

During an event held at Great Falls High, the governor joined Mike Rowe, an Emmy-winning TV host known for promoting skilled labor professions through his mikeroweWORKS Foundation, and Wells Fargo to announce the $200,000 donation to support the Great Falls High School House Program to assist with procuring supplies and clothing for the students and securing additional plots of land for future classes to construct homes for area residents.

"Wells Fargo is proud to partner with the High School House Program, where students gain valuable skills to prepare for rewarding careers," said Jason Rosenberg, Head of Public Affairs at Wells Fargo. "By investing in hands-on education, Wells Fargo is opening doors for young people while building stronger, more resilient communities across Montana."

Founded in 1997, the High School House Program is a collaboration between NeighborWorks Great Falls, Great Falls Public Schools, and the City of Great Falls. Each year, students from Great Falls High School and C. M. Russell High School spend the school year building a single-family home from the ground up under the guidance of skilled instructors and local tradespeople. When completed, each home is sold to a first-time homebuyer with low or moderate income. The home currently under construction is the 48th home built since the program's founding.

Touring the project site, the governor and Mr. Rowe met with High School House student builders to learn more about the project and the hands-on learning experience.

"Through the program, my work ethic and patience have grown. The skills that we are learning as high school students is something I will know how to do for the rest of my life," said C.R. Russel High School senior Jentri Nelson.

"It's important to tell the story of this program beyond Great Falls and beyond Montana because the whole country is desperate to see the trades reinvigorated. Montana has one of the most work-ready generations we have ever seen," Mike Rowe said. "Programs like this prove that when you give young people real skills and real responsibility, they rise to the challenge."

During the event, the governor also signed a proclamation to declare November 13, 2025, as High School House Day in Montana to highlight the importance of the program and its alignment with the state's 406 JOBS Initiative.

Launched in August 2025, the 406 JOBS Initiative serves as the unifying framework for the state workforce system with the goal to work across the public and private sector to promote career, college, military, and entrepreneurship pathways for Montanans to strengthen our workforce and prepare the next generation.

Since taking office, Gov. Gianforte has prioritized increasing work-based learning and apprenticeship opportunities for Montana students. Under the governor's leadership, every school district in the state was authorized to establish individualized, work-based learning paths for students and a record number of apprentices are working in Montana.

You can view the governor's proclamation here .

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