HELENA, Mont. — Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen spoke to businesses and organizations on Wednesday as part of the Montana Chamber of Commerce 2024 Business Days at the Capitol event.

Secretary Jacobsen highlighted the SOS Office’s partnership with and support of the Montana business community. She also presented the record number of new business registrations filed in 2023, which she announced alongside Governor Greg Gianforte earlier Wednesday morning.

“Montana had record business growth in each of my first two years in office, and earlier today I was proud to join Governor Gianforte in announcing another record year of new business registration,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “Nearly 60,000 new businesses registered in Montana in 2023.”

“Montana is getting new businesses in the industries of construction, farming and ranching, retail, insurance, and more, and we’re proud to assist them along their journey,” Secretary Jacobsen continued.

Secretary Jacobsen also took the opportunity to recognize some of Montana’s legacy businesses, including four conference attendees that have surpassed 100 years of doing business in Montana.

“Four businesses registered for these Business Days at the Capitol have been on the Montana scene for more than 100 years,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “The University of Montana and Montana State University were each founded in the 1890s, while Benefis Hospitals (1897) and the Billings Chamber of Commerce (1918) have represented Montana communities for decades.”

“Thank you for doing business and educating business leaders in Montana,” Secretary Jacobsen added.