AGP Executive Report

Economic Impact: Miles Community College says a Lightcast study found it contributes about $17.7 million annually to the local economy, supporting roughly 342 jobs through operations, student spending and alumni effects. Higher Education Funding: MSU-Northern won about $2.5 million over five years from the U.S. Department of Education to expand student support and improve graduation and workforce transitions. State Government & Infrastructure: Gov. Greg Gianforte named Larry Flynn as Montana Department of Transportation director, tasking him with road and bridge upgrades, safety and customer service. Workforce & Education: MSU-Northern’s grant and MCC’s impact study both point to the same theme: Montana schools are pitching measurable returns to taxpayers and employers. Energy & Agriculture Costs: A Farm Bureau analysis links recent diesel spikes to global supply disruptions, raising operating and transportation costs for farmers during peak harvest. Public Lands Policy: U.S. Sen. Steve Daines urged continued U.S.-China engagement on rare earth supply chains, warning the bigger risk sits downstream in processing and manufacturing. Local Business Disruption: Livingston residents and businesses are pushing back on a film production in downtown, saying permits and notifications didn’t adequately reach affected shops and services.

Montana Transportation: Gov. Greg Gianforte named Larry Flynn as the new director of the Montana Department of Transportation, replacing Chris Dorrington; Flynn has more than three decades at MDT and has served as deputy director since 2023. Rural Health Funding: Gianforte and DPHHS announced an $8.7 million CMS-backed investment to strengthen rural emergency medical services, supporting 78 agencies with equipment and four new ambulances. Medicaid Work Rules: Montana began enforcing Medicaid work requirements for expansion adults after the state’s three-month grace period ended Oct. 1, meaning nearly 71,000 people could face denial or disenrollment for noncompliance. Consumer Protection: AG Lynn Fitch urged Mississippians to check eligibility for compensation tied to the generic drug settlement over alleged price-fixing by manufacturers. Local Ballot Watch: Prairie County voters will decide a nearly $2 million Terry Public Schools improvement bond and a proposed 50-mill county road levy increase. Business & Community: The Montana Stockgrowers Association opened registration for its 142nd Annual Convention & Trade Show in Billings Dec. 3–5, with a Water Symposium planned ahead of committee meetings.

Montana Politics & Elections: A new ballot initiative dubbed the “Montana Plan” would ban corporate spending in state elections, aiming to curb “dark money” and boost transparency by limiting election spending to real people—an idea Montana Republicans warn could chill small businesses’ influence. Health Policy: Confusion is mounting as Montana begins enforcing Medicaid work rules, with patients saying rollout timelines and paperwork requirements aren’t clear. Energy & Utilities: Montana Environmental Information Center says NorthWestern Energy’s revised Integrated Resource Plan must fix specific gaps flagged by the Public Service Commission’s consultant, including resource adequacy and risk assessment. Housing & Development: Missoula’s Brooks Street Midtown Market proposal would bring a Whole Foods to the former Brooks Street Motor Inn site, with delivery targeted for April 2028. Local Business & Jobs: Montana Knife Company opened tours for National Manufacturing Day and is hiring for manufacturing and administrative roles. State Government: Gov. Greg Gianforte named Larry Flynn director of the Montana Department of Transportation, replacing Chris Dorrington. Consumer Costs: Mortgage rates are pushing some Montana buyers out of qualification, with a 30-year fixed rate topping 7% this week.

School Choice Push: The Trump administration proposed a new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit starting Jan. 1, letting families in at least 30 states use federal-backed funds for private school and homeschooling—without requiring students to leave public school. Rural Capital Access: The U.S. Senate passed Sen. John Kennedy’s bipartisan bill to expand capital access for rural small businesses, with reporting requirements aimed at easing investment barriers. Montana Health Costs & Claims: Montana’s AG urged consumers to file for compensation tied to multistate settlements over allegedly inflated generic drug prices, while separate coverage notes $500 ACA refund checks are rolling out in 30 states. Workforce Leadership: Montana Labor Commissioner Sarah Swanson was elected chair-elect of NASWA, highlighting the state’s education-to-workforce pipeline. Data Center Backlash: A new poll finds nearly 75% of Montana voters oppose new data centers in their area, as the issue heats up ahead of the election. Local Business & Community: Roosevelt County approved buying a former National Guard readiness center to repurpose into a fire hall and community space, and Wolf Point council discussed licensing and local business rules, including cannabis dispensary transfer hurdles.

Bozeman Skate Funding: Bozeman’s Shredtober free skate festival at Kirk Park is raising money for new skate spaces, with organizers pushing a long-term plan to expand Kirk Park into a regional hub and add smaller, citywide “all wheels” spots after the Big Sky Youth Empowerment skate park was demolished. Drug Pricing Claims: Wyoming AG Keith Kautz is urging consumers to file for compensation in a multistate generic drug antitrust settlement, with eligibility tied to certain purchases from 2009–2019. Local Business & Public Access: Livingston’s downtown has been transformed for a controversial film set (“Pawn Shop”), but road closures have reportedly cut attendance at the Livingston Food Resource Center and affected access for clients. Retail Expansion: Whole Foods is expected to anchor Missoula’s Midtown Market development on the Brooks Street Motor Inn site. Energy Costs Watch: GasBuddy data shows diesel deals in Silver Bow County, with the week ending Sept. 19 hitting a low of $5.89. Health Policy Cash: The Trump administration began mailing $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, tied to alleged federal exchange user-fee overcharges. Montana Courts & Mining: A Montana judge vacated the Clearwater gravel mine permit, rejecting DEQ’s attempt to keep it alive via a conditional fix. Workforce & Education: Harbor Freight’s Tools for Schools program awarded a Denton teacher a $75,000 prize, boosting the district’s vocational training pipeline.

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.

Media & Ownership: Lee Enterprises is acquiring the Great Falls Tribune, adding another Montana daily to its portfolio and tightening its reach across the state’s biggest population centers. Public Safety & Wildlife: FWP removed 14 black bears from a Bozeman-area property and euthanized them after investigators found the animals were food-conditioned and habituated to humans, underscoring Montana’s push to stop illegal supplemental feeding. State Policy & Health: Montana is moving to regulate kratom derivatives as concerns grow over 7-OH, with Attorney General Austin Knudsen citing overdose deaths and urging clearer definitions for law enforcement. Agriculture & Research: MSU hit a new milestone, topping $300 million in annual research expenditures, while the wheat and barley variety survey highlights leading MSU genetics for Montana growers. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy price reports show Montana fuel volatility continues, with multiple counties posting week-over-week shifts in regular, midgrade, and diesel prices. Business & Community: Town Pump Charitable Foundation boosted volunteer fire departments with nearly $1.2 million in summer grants, including $20,000 for Cut Bank’s training facility. Tech & Privacy: A Victor, Montana pharmacy is at the center of a reported data breach investigation involving health and payment card information.

Montana Drought Relief: USDA declared natural-disaster areas across much of North Central Montana, unlocking emergency credit and low-interest loans for drought-hit farmers and ranchers, with applications due May 17, 2027. Courts & Business Climate: A Montana business-focused push backs Constitutional Initiative 132 to keep judicial elections nonpartisan, arguing partisan judges could raise costs and uncertainty for employers. Medicaid Work Rules Confusion: Montana’s early rollout of Medicaid work requirements is leaving enrollees confused about when they must prove compliance, raising near-term access concerns. Data Centers & Public Policy: Senate Democrats are weighing votes on a data-center cost bill and other measures, while Montana’s own data-center rules face fresh scrutiny and ballot timing issues. Energy & Water Politics: Governors including Montana’s opposed a Missouri River water restriction that would require downstream-state agreement before diversions or exports. Local Economy Notes: Lee Enterprises’ acquisition of the Great Falls Tribune signals continued consolidation in Montana media, while Montana businesses reported 114 cybercrimes in 2025 totaling $5.1M in losses.

Mortgage & Consumer Protection: Minnesota and 46 other states reached a $15.5M settlement with NewRez over improper “force-placed” homeowners insurance charges, affecting 4,200+ borrowers nationwide and returning $4.5M already. Local Economy & Energy: Gov. Greg Gianforte toured Graymont’s Indian Creek limestone mine near Townsend, highlighting the operation’s role as a major Broadwater County employer and a key supplier for construction, water treatment and other uses. Montana Business Climate: Great Falls Tribune is set to be acquired by Lee Enterprises, expanding Lee’s Montana newsroom footprint as the Tribune’s former headquarters shifts hands. Housing & Finance: WalletHub reports mortgage rates rose in most states in Q1→Q2 2026; Montana’s average rate edged down to 5.27% in the first half. Tech & Community Impact: A Billings Gazette report says 22 small data centers have been permitted in Richland and Roosevelt counties, raising local concerns about noise, wildlife and property impacts. Energy Prices: GasBuddy data shows midgrade prices in Montana hovering around the mid-$4s for the week ending Sept. 19, with county-by-county variation.

Energy & Grid: The U.S. Department of Energy renewed an emergency order keeping Colorado’s Craig coal plant running through year-end, citing regional reliability concerns as battery storage delays and rising demand strain the Northwest power mix. Rural Montana Costs: Rising diesel prices are hitting Montana farmers hard, with one Gallatin-area potato operation estimating fuel costs in the thousands as harvest equipment and generators run on diesel. Insurance M&A: Farm Bureau Insurance Company of Idaho finalized its acquisition of Mountain West Farm Bureau Insurance, expanding coverage across Idaho, Washington, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado and boosting scale to more than 130,000 members and $800M+ in annual premium. Local Safety & Infrastructure: A Billings petition is pushing for structural safety changes at Grand Avenue and Rehberg Lane after a child was struck, calling on city and state agencies to rethink pedestrian crossing design. Weather Outlook: NOAA’s updated winter maps point to a split pattern across the West tied to a potentially historic El Niño, with Montana leaning toward milder, drier conditions. Business & Tech: Par Pacific named Jerry Stumbo executive VP for refining and logistics, signaling leadership continuity as the company integrates its Montana-related operations.

Energy Reliability: The U.S. Department of Energy renewed an emergency order keeping Colorado’s Craig coal plant running through the end of the year, citing regional reliability concerns tied to wind and hydro variability and delayed battery storage builds—an issue that also hits the broader Northwest power grid that includes Montana. Fuel Costs: GasBuddy data shows Montana drivers still feel the squeeze: diesel and premium prices remain elevated, while several counties reported their lowest weekly regular or midgrade prices around mid-$4 per gallon and diesel near the high-$5s to low-$6s. Ag Pressure: Rising diesel prices are adding major costs for Montana farmers, with one Bozeman-area potato operation saying fuel powers harvest, sorting, and processing—turning higher pump prices into thousands in extra expenses. Local Business & Growth: A Montana-focused report on the AI data center boom highlights how community opposition, power limits, and long equipment lead times are stalling large projects—raising questions for future investment and jobs in the state. Public Lands & Wildlife: A leaked U.S. Fish and Wildlife memo would narrow ESA enforcement to direct, intentional harm, potentially weakening the incidental-take system that helps regulate development impacts in habitat for species like grizzlies and bull trout.

Montana Politics & Elections: A new push under Initiative 194, dubbed “the Montana Plan,” would bar corporations, unions and other “artificial legal entities” from spending in state elections—an attempt to curb dark money and test whether local rules can hold up under national legal pressure. Federal Environment: A leaked U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service memo would narrow how accidental deaths are treated under the Endangered Species Act, potentially weakening protections that have supported recovery efforts for species including Montana’s grizzlies and bull trout. Local Development: Flathead County commissioners tabled the first phase final plat for the luxury Territory 1889 project near Lakeside, after staff flagged an unresolved water-connection requirement and residents raised concerns about water rights tied to ongoing court fights. Workforce & Business: A Northwest Montana job fair drew about 80 employers and hundreds of job seekers, with training and career pivots on the table for workers looking beyond seasonal work. Energy & Logistics: Gov. Greg Gianforte signed an executive order giving Montana intrastate fuel haulers more flexibility under hours-of-service rules, aligning state practice with a recent federal waiver. Sports & Local Economy: Montana’s Grizzlies routed UC Davis 62-22 behind Eli Gillman’s record-setting 275 rushing yards, while UM’s new Open Championship and Festival brought vendors and community activity to its golf course.

Montana Energy Policy: Gov. Greg Gianforte signed an executive order extending federal hours-of-service flexibility for Montana intrastate gasoline and diesel haulers, aiming to keep fuel moving amid demand and supply-chain pressure. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy data shows Montana regular and diesel prices hovering in the mid-$4s and mid-$6s, with local “lowest” stations reported across multiple counties for the week ending Sept. 19. Outdoor & Youth: Gianforte kicked off the fifth annual Governor’s Youth Hunting Story Contest for Montana youth and apprentice hunters ages 10–17, seeking up to 500-word stories plus a photo. Public Health: A Salmonella outbreak tied to broccoli sprouts linked to Evergreen Fresh Sprouts grew to 32 cases, adding Minnesota and Oregon to the list that already includes Idaho, Montana, Utah and Washington. National Business/Finance: U.S. prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of $84.2 million tied to accounts connected to a Tether-linked payments case involving Montana-based Capstone. Education & Workforce: Montana State University reported a record 17,477 students and its largest incoming first-year class, underscoring continued enrollment momentum.

Crypto & Banking: U.S. prosecutors are seeking to seize $84.2 million tied to Capstone Ltd., a Montana-based payments firm accused of using bank accounts to move money linked to Tether’s USDT, with most funds reportedly pulled from Wells Fargo and JPMorgan accounts. Energy & Environment: ExxonMobil’s fight with Montana Department of Transportation over cleanup costs in east Billings is back in focus, with the company previously suing multiple parties and now challenging MDT’s role in the petroleum cleanup. Immigration Enforcement Spending: A new Government Accountability Office review says the Trump administration wasted millions while rapidly expanding detention, including unused tents at Guantánamo Bay and other costly purchases later sold or deemed unnecessary. Montana Policy & Business: Gov. Greg Gianforte issued an executive order to speed gasoline and diesel deliveries by extending federal hours-of-service waivers to intrastate fuel haulers. Local Economy: In Livingston, bar owners say shifting drinking habits are pushing them to rethink “third space” community value as alcohol sales fall. Infrastructure & Growth Debate: Eastern Montana data center plans remain limited, but Big Sky’s Broadview project shows what could come next—raising questions about power, water, and rate impacts.

Broadband Expansion: Gov. Greg Gianforte announced Spectrum will extend fiber service to more than 1,200 additional homes and small businesses in Cascade County, supported by ConnectMT and federal BEAD funding. Local Business & Tourism: Virginia City businesses are adjusting after Montana Heritage Commission lease increases disrupted operations on state-owned historic properties, with some owners relocating to keep their doors open. Courts & Business Climate: The Kalispell Chamber endorsed Constitutional Initiative 132 to keep Montana judicial elections nonpartisan, arguing predictable rulings help small businesses plan and hire. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports show Lewis and Clark County’s lowest midgrade price at $4.59 and Big Horn County’s lowest diesel at $5.94 for the week ending Sept. 19, reflecting ongoing volatility tied to global markets and refinery conditions. Immigration Detention Spending: A Government Accountability Office review says the Trump administration wasted millions while rapidly expanding detention capacity, including unused tents and other costs.

Antitrust & Consumer Relief: Montana’s neighboring states are pushing generic-drug restitution after court-approved settlements tied to alleged price-rigging, with AGs urging eligible buyers to file claims. Housing & Cost of Living: A Bozeman piece puts affordability pressure front and center, arguing rising home prices and HOA costs are pushing the “American dream” out of reach. Energy & Utilities: Montana PSC scrutiny continues as regulators send NorthWestern Energy’s long-term plan back for more work; separately, AARP North Dakota is intervening in a utility rate case over whether residential customers would bear a disproportionate share. Data Centers & Local Control: Yellowstone County’s data-center ballot effort moves forward again, while Montana lawmakers question the Lottery’s Intralot deal for transparency. Workforce & Business Risk: Hi-Country Snack Foods workers won wage judgments as a bank sues owners for unpaid loans, highlighting ongoing financial strain in small manufacturers. Agriculture & Food Safety: BASF’s canola seed heads toward processing via Bunge, and a Salmonella outbreak linked to broccoli sprouts has expanded to additional states. Education & Growth: Montana State University hit a record enrollment of 17,477 students, including the largest incoming first-year class. Tourism: Commerce’s tourism awards spotlight winners like Red Lodge’s film-related boost to local visibility.