11/14/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/14/2024 16:11
HELENA, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte recently concluded his fourth annual 56 County Tour as governor. Since launching the tour in April, the governor has met with Montanans in each of the state's 56 counties.
Gov. Gianforte traveled thousands of miles meeting with Montanans where they live and work, including small business owners, parents, students, teachers, veterans, leaders of Tribal Nations, law enforcement officers and first responders, health care professionals, tradesmen, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders and volunteers, farmers, ranchers, and local leaders, among others.
"The best and most important part of my job is meeting with Montanans where they live and work," Gov. Gianforte said. "It was great to be back on the road celebrating the impacts of our investments in education, boosting the workforce, and addressing the affordability crisis while learning about what more we can do to ensure all Montanans prosper."
Gov. Gianforte visiting with producers at Hysham Hardware & Ag Supply
At the tour stops, the governor talked with Montanans about a wide range of issues important to them, including property tax relief, housing, jobs, the economy, the southern border crisis, crime, public safety, infrastructure, health care, value-added ag, forest management, tribal matters, and more.
Recap of Governor Gianforte's 56 County Tour
The events listed below are not a complete list of the governor's events, but rather represent one tour stop per county. The governor has visited and held events in many counties more than once.
Anaconda-Deer Lodge County: Met with community partners to celebrate a recent $1.25 million grant from the Montana Department of Commerce Pilot Community Grant Program to upgrade infrastructure and build new recreational facilities to boost tourism in the winter, Anaconda.
Beaverhead County: Highlighted the expansion of Montana Cabinet Works and its high-quality cabinets for homes and businesses, Dillon.
Big Horn County: Stopped by the S Ranch Meats warehouse to highlight the meat processors' investment and plans for expansion, Hardin.
Gov. Gianforte with Marcie Scott (left) and Hannah Knudsen (right) at the S Ranch Meats warehouse in Hardin
Blaine County: Stopped by Milk River Ag to visit with owners and partners on the business' expanding investment, Chinook.
Broadwater County: Highlighted Townsend Mercantile to spotlight three women-owned businesses adding vibrancy to Montana's main streets, Townsend.
Butte-Silver Bow: Met with stakeholders to learn more about plans for a recent $1.4 million award from the Montana Department of Commerce to help community partners provide stable housing, Butte.
Carbon County: Visited the new owners of Joliet Country Market to thank them for their investment in rural Montana, Joliet.
Carter County: Toured the Dahl Memorial Hospital in Ekalaka to meet with administrators and highlight the $17 million investment in rural health care, Ekalaka.
Gov. Gianforte meeting with Michelle Visocan at the Joliet Country Market in Carbon County
Cascade County: Toured Such Group International's warehouse to highlight its investment in entrepreneurs and Montana's business community, Great Falls.
Chouteau County: Stopped by Joyce Fuel & Feeds to highlight their expansion and investment in Montana's farmers and ranchers, Fort Benton.
Custer County: Highlighted the contributions of value-added agriculture to Montana's economy at the Tongue River Winery, Miles City.
Daniels County: Visited with veterans participating in the Farmer Veteran Coalition seminar on how to get involved with agriculture, Scobey.
Gov. Gianforte visiting Big Shires Equine Services in Glendive
Dawson County: Stopped by Big Shires Equine Services & 7 Mile Hampshires to hear about the equine therapy services provided to Montanans recovering from addiction or trauma, Glendive.
Fallon County: Visited with 4-H members to hear about their livestock and indoor projects, Baker.
Fergus County: Visited J&M Small Engine repair to spotlight the new business repairing small engines such as ATVs, dirt bikes, and lawnmowers, Lewistown.
Flathead County: Toured a Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation fire mitigation project to highlight state investments in forest management, Kalispell.
Gov. Gianforte talking with state forester Pete Seigmund at a forest management project in Kalispell
Gallatin County: Highlighted a recent groundbreaking at Montana State University for a multi-use agricultural building, Bozeman.
Garfield County: Convened a roundtable discussion with farmers, ranchers, nurses, bankers, and law enforcement officers to highlight ways to better serve rural Montana, Jordan.
Glacier County: Visited Glacier Park Trading Company to tour the store and highlight Montana's tourism industry, East Glacier.
Gov. Gianforte visiting with auto shop students and teachers at Ryegate Public Schools
Golden Valley County: Met with Ryegate Public Schools students to tour their classrooms and hear more about their career and technical education courses, Ryegate.
Granite County: Highlighted a true come home Montana story about the Verlanic family and tour their family business Farmer Boy Eggs, Drummond.
Hill County: Celebrated a $1.25 million investment from the Montana Department of Commerce to increase economic vibrancy in rural Montana, Havre.
Jefferson County: Stopped by Smith Supply to visit with the Smith brothers and learn more about their family business serving Montana producers, Whitehall.
Judith Basin County: Highlighted the talented riders and riding program at the Diamond Dot Ranch to learn more about their involvement showing and selling world-class horses, Hobson.
Gov. Gianforte visiting with Faith Stevenson at Diamond Dot Performance Horses in Hobson
Lake County: Celebrated the formal opening of a new public archery range at Flathead Lake State Park, Big Arm.
Lewis and Clark County: Highlighted Montana manufacturing at the American Chemet facility and learned more about their role as a global supplier of metal-based chemicals for a wide variety of industries, East Helena.
Liberty County: Held roundtable to highlight teachers and providers investing in mental health resources and care for Montana students, Chester.
Lincoln County: Toured the new Nomad GCS plant to learn more about their operation that designs and manufactures Connected Mobile Operations Centers for public and private sector organizations worldwide, Libby.
Gov. Gianforte meeting with Steve Orr at the Madison Valley Rural Fire Department
Madison County: Thanked Madison Valley Rural Fire Department volunteer first responders for their collaboration and response this fire season, Ennis.
McCone County: Talked with McCone Electric Co-Op employees and apprentices to highlight expanding connections in Montana's rural counties, Circle.
Meagher County: Toured Delpine Farms to highlight the family-run farm and the state's thriving agriculture industry, Martinsdale.
Mineral County: Visited Superior Schools to discuss policies that would eliminate the distraction of cell phones in the classroom, Superior.
Missoula County: Highlighted Diversified Plastics as a multi-generation, family businesses making plastic products for a wide variety of industries, Missoula.
Gov. Gianforte touring Diversified Plastics in Missoula with owner Brad Reid
Musselshell County: Visited MidRivers Communications to discuss the importance of expanding broadband access in Montana, Roundup.
Park County: Toured Music Ranch Montana to highlight Montana's tourism and arts industries, Livingston.
Petroleum County: Read a book to kids at Sweet Peas Daycare and highlighted increased support for Montana families facing rising child care costs, Winnett.
Phillips County: Held a roundtable discussion with irrigators, producers, and local leaders to discuss the impacts of the St. Mary's Siphon failure, Malta.
Gov. Gianforte viewing a 4-H project with a Richland County 4-H member
Pondera County: Visited Frontline Ag Solutions and heard from farmers in the area, Conrad.
Powder River County: Held a roundtable at the Broadus Community Center to hear from producers and local officials on the impact of the Remington Fire and discuss steps forward for recovery, Broadus.
Powell County: Toured Sun Mountain Lumber and highlighted recent challenges facing the wood products industry, Deer Lodge.
Prairie County: Visited with fourth-generation pulse crop farmer Ben Pehl, his wife, and children on the farm founded by his grandfather, Terry.
Ravalli County: Discussed health care priorities at the new Bitterroot Health facility and thanked first responders at the Stevensville Volunteer Fire Department for their response to the Sharrott Creek Fire, Stevensville.
Richland County: Celebrated National 4-H Week viewing the projects of young Montanans participating in the Richland County 4-H program, Sidney.
Roosevelt County: Visited with the Toavs family to tour their multi-generational farm and ranch and highlight the century-long legacy of Montana farming, Wolf Point.
Gov. Gianforte talking with Jessica and Scott Toavs at their farm in Wolf Point
Rosebud County: Held a roundtable at the Rosebud Mine to call on the Biden-Harris administration to end its war on American-made energy, Colstrip
Sanders County: Stopped by Wild Horse Lavender to meet with owners Carissa and Bruce McNamara to tour their family farm and hear about their transition to growing lavender and selling lavender products, Plains.
Sheridan County: Visited Angvick Farm and met with four generations of the family-owned business who have farmed on their land in eastern Montana for over 100 years, Medicine Lake.
Gov. Gianforte visiting Wild Horse Lavender in Plains
Stillwater County: Visited the newly opened Bearded Viking Mead Co. to highlight the veteran-owned business, Columbus.
Sweet Grass County: Toured Tuscano Machine, LLC and heard from founder Wes Tuscano on the growth of the business and support for the next generation of Montanans, Big Timber.
Teton County: Highlighted the Montana Department of Labor & Industry's Registered Apprenticeship Program with 7-Electric at a job site, Choteau.
Toole County: Cut the ribbon on the Port of Northern Montana Operating and Storage Track Project and celebrated increasing trade opportunities for Montana producers, Shelby.
Gov. Gianforte talking with Wes Tuscano at Tuscano Machine in Big Timber
Treasure County: Met with producers at Hysham Hardware & Ag Supply to hear about community concerns and highlight the small business that helps local producers and sells lumber, supplies, and custom hay cutting, Hysham.
Valley County: Visited a worksite to recognize Dale Plumbing & Heating for their participation in the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program, Glasgow.
Wheatland County: Toured The Barnsion event venue that serves as a popular venue for weddings, retreats, and corporate events, as well as a trading post for Wheatland County residents and visitors, Harlowton.
Gov. Gianforte and First Lady Gianforte talking with Wibaux Public School teacher Alex Cameron
Wibaux County: Visited with Wibaux Public Schools officials and a teacher who received an increase in her starting teacher pay thanks to the governor's investment in the TEACH Act, Wibaux.
Yellowstone County: Cut the ribbon on the new Coca-Cola High Country facility, Billings.
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