Governor Gianforte Continues 56 County Tour

Governor Gianforte Continues 56 County Tour

• May 02 2024

JORDAN, Mont. - Continuing his fourth annual 56 County Tour as governor, Governor Greg Gianforte yesterday highlighted strong Montana communities in Wheatland, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Petroleum, and Garfield counties.

"Our state is stronger when we support the small businesses that create good-paying jobs and add vibrancy to our communities," Gov. Gianforte said. "With our pro-jobs policies and the unparalleled work ethic of Montanans, we're making Montana the best state in the country to live, work, and raise a family."

Gov. Gianforte visiting The Barnsion event venue in Harlowton

Starting the day in Harlowton, Gov. Gianforte toured The Barnsion event venue. Located on the Miller Ranch, The Barnsion has become a popular location for weddings, retreats, and corporate events, as well as a trading post for Wheatland County residents and visitors. The venue hosted nearly 10,000 visitors last year alone.

"We've ranched here for 48 years. We're thankful to our community and we hope that they feel that we are providing an asset to the community, the county, and surrounding area. Especially with the Trading Post, people have come from all over Montana," said David Miller, owner of The Barnsion.

Delivering on his promise to make Montana a better place to do business, the governor eliminated the business equipment tax burden for 5,000 small businesses, farms, and ranches by increasing the exemption from $100,000 in 2021 to $1 million.

Gov. Gianforte visiting with auto shop students and teachers at Ryegate Public Schools

Traveling to Golden Valley County, the governor met with Ryegate Public Schools students to tour their classrooms and hear more about their career and technical education courses.

High school students are able to select from course offerings such as auto shop, consumer science, computers, and agricultural science.

"Work-based learning enhances employability, meets workforce needs, and expands horizons. Classroom innovation is crucial for student success and Montana's future," Gov. Gianforte added.

"It's great to be able to learn the same stuff you'd learn in a college program, or in the shop, in a small-town school from somebody who knows what they are talking about," said Ryegate Public Schools high school senior Isaac Woolard.

In line with his priorities, the governor expanded work-based learning opportunities for Montana students in 2023, increasing funding for the programs and changing Montana law to allow students to get course credit for hands-on work-based learning opportunities.

Gov. Gianforte visiting a MidRivers Communications office in Roundup

Continuing the tour in Roundup, the governor visited MidRivers Communications to discuss the importance of expanding broadband access in Montana.

"Access to reliable broadband is critical for Montanans to access good-paying jobs, healthcare, and education - we're able to create new opportunities, help businesses grow, and close the digital divide," the governor said.

Expanding access to reliable broadband is a central element of Governor Gianforte's Montana Comeback Plan.Yesterday's visit comes on the heels of the governor's recent announcement that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved Montana's plan to address disparities in digital access, skills, and affordability in Montana.

Gov. Gianforte and First Lady Susan Gianforte reading to children at Sweet Peas Daycare in Winnett

Heading to Winnett, Gov. Gianforte stopped by Sweet Peas Daycare to highlight increased support for Montana families facing rising child care costs.

As the first licensed child care facility in Petroleum County and as a licensed provider through the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship Program, qualifying families' receive support for child care costs.

"Montana's early childhood providers support hardworking families, strengthen our economy, and build a brighter future for our state. Great to know Sweet Peas is taking advantage of the program and providing a needed service in Petroleum County," Gov. Gianforte said.

"I just accepted a job with Winnett ACES as the Education and Outreach Coordinator. Without child care, I wouldn't have been able to accept that position," said a mother of a child at the daycare.

To increase access to quality child care, promote strong, healthy families, and address child care workforce availability, recruitment, and retention, the governor and DPHHS announced last year a $24 million investment in the state's early childhood system.

Gov. Gianforte holding a roundtable in Jordan

Wrapping up the day in Jordan, the governor convened a roundtable discussion with community members to discuss ways to better serve rural Montana.

During the roundtable the governor heard from farmers, ranchers, nurses, bankers, and law enforcement on the importance of the next generation coming home, value-added ag, supporting law enforcement, creating good-paying jobs, fighting federal overreach, and combatting inflation.

A local nurse practitioner present for the discussion spoke to the reality of rising costs in the community, sharing, "Medical supplies are twice as much as they were before COVID, and we have to have those. Not to mention our grocery bill to feed our nursing home residents is twice as much a month as it was this time last year."

Working with the legislature, Gov. Gianforte delivered on his promise to help Montanans keep more of what they earn and encourage small business growth to provide the largest income tax cut in Montana history, cutting the income tax rate for Montanans at every income level.

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