Our Report Card

Governor Brian Schweitzer’s aggressive economic development efforts have moved Montana into the forefront of economic activity in the nation.

As a result of a good economy and sound fiscal management by the Governor, Montana is one of only two state governments operating “in the black”.
(Center on Budget & Policy Priorities, Time Magazine)

Montana fares well in Business Facilities magazine’s most recent State Rankings:

  • 8th Overall business climate
  • 6th Best overall tax climate for business
  • 3rd Best sales tax climate for business
  • 8th Quality of life
  • 6th Cost of Labor (includes productivity)
  • 4th Most educated workforce
  • Forbes magazine rates Montana as one of the fastest climbing states in the Most Business Friendly State in the Nation category.
  • US Department of Commerce & US Chamber of Commerce Foundation rate Montana as the #1 state for entrepreneurship and overall business start-up activity. (Montana also received a similar ranking from the Kauffman Foundation.)
  • Business Facilities magazine listed Montana as 2009 runner-up for Economic Development State of the Year.
  • Trade & Industry Development Magazine awarded Montana the Corporate Investment and Community Impact Award for both 2009 and 2010.

Montana’s economic statistics are strong:

  • Montana is one of the fastest growing economies (8th) in America over the last 3 years
  • Montana’s economy grew 65% over last 10 years (gross state product increase)
  • Montana scored 2nd best in economic performance according to the 2010 ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index
  • Montana has the 11th lowest unemployment rate in the nation (7.1% which is 2.8% below the National average – 9.9% federally)

Montana’s taxation rankings from the Tax Foundation are good:

  • Montana ranks 6th best on list of tax-friendly states (state business tax climate rankings)
  • Montana is the 8th best in combined state and local tax burden
  • Montana is the 3rd best in sales taxes for business
  • Montana is the 10th best in property tax index

Montana energy development drives the Montana economy – including these significant increases in various forms of energy production:

  • #1 in wind power growth – from 1 MW to 386 MW (from 50th to 18th) among states with at least 250MW
  • Montana is the 2nd fastest growing state in the nation in oil production
  • Montana is 2nd in the nation with growth in coal production among top producers
  • First new coal mine in 29 years – Signal Peak ($475 M Investment – 235 good jobs)
  • Montana developed more new electrical generation capacity since 1/1/2005 than the previous 20 years combined