BOZEMAN, Mont. — Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen was a featured speaker during the Montana Chamber of Commerce “Big Sky, Bright Future Economic Summit” event. Secretary Jacobsen joined Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd O’Hair onstage for a fireside chat to discuss work culture and leadership.
“I’m proud of the work done in the Secretary of State’s Office daily. Our customer-focused team works with a servant’s heart to provide Montanans with the assistance they deserve,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “The Secretary of State’s Office has been recognized for having some of the highest employee engagement rates in the country, and it’s because we’re truly honored to serve the businesses and voters in our wonderful state.”
Secretary Jacobsen highlighted her decisions to cut and eliminate fees for Montana businesses, leading to record new business growth each year during her first term of office. In 2023, nearly 60,000 new businesses were registered in Montana.
Earlier this year, Secretary Jacobsen provided a one-time fee waiver for all Montana businesses filing their annual report by the April 15 deadline, resulting in 217,000 businesses saving a cumulative $4.3 million. Secretary Jacobsen recently announced a proposal to provide Montana businesses with another annual report fee waiver in 2025, which would result in an estimated savings of nearly $5.5 million for Montana businesses.
“Our office has made it a priority to continually find ways to cut red tape and give Montana businesses better opportunities to thrive,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “We’re honored to be the first stop for a new business during their registration, and we’re proud to help them achieve their goals by making it easier to do business in Montana.”
Record business growth and investments in the state’s business climate were key topics throughout the Big Sky, Bright Future Economic Summit. Other featured speakers at the event included Governor Greg Gianforte and various business owners and representatives from around the state.
“Thank you to the Montana Chamber of Commerce for hosting another incredible event to discuss the strengths of Montana’s business climate, as well as the investments and improvements being implemented to further those strengths,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “Thank you to each of the more than 300,000 businesses for doing business in Montana.”
