Local Governance & Water/Permitting: Montana DEQ has started a public comment period on Quantica’s proposed water supply for a hyperscale AI data center campus near Broadview, including a deep well plan tied to the Madison Aquifer—an early test of how Montana handles big data-center water needs. Local Governance & Planning: Fergus County residents are pushing commissioners to form a data center working group to set guidelines on size, water use, noise, and roads, after concerns about “hyper scale” campuses and limited public information. Business Expansion: VACOM says its Montana operations are meeting U.S. customer expectations on turnaround time, with workload projected to rise about 30% and more hiring planned into 2027. Workforce & Economic Development: Spika Design & Manufacturing, a Lewistown manufacturer, was recognized earlier this year as Montana’s Small Business Persons of the Year by the SBA. Healthcare & Costs: Montana begins enforcing Medicaid work requirements Oct. 1, and patients say the rollout is confusing. Elections & Political Spending: Montana’s ballot measure on political spending (I-194) would target corporate “artificial persons” from funding election advocacy, a move supporters say aims to curb dark-money influence. Energy Prices: States are moving to rein in fuel prices, with dyed-diesel and related policy changes highlighted as part of the broader cost-pressure response.