Montana, also known as the “Treasure State” due its rich stocks of natural resources, has weathered the Great Recession better than nearly any other state in the US. Montana is one of only two states that has constantly maintained a budget surplus and has an unemployment rate 2 points lower than the national average. But it is not only natural resources and agriculture that drive Montana’s economy, as tourism, information technology, advanced manufacturing firms have increasingly begun to call Montana home.

Unique to the United States, Montana has no sales tax and is consistently rated as one of the best states for business. In fact, Montana was recently ranked as the top state in the nation for entrepreneurs with a positive business climate that fosters growth and promotes innovation. But it is Montana’s quality of life that truly sets it apart; safe communities, excellent schools and unparalleled recreational opportunities are just a few of the reasons businesses are choosing to locate in Montana.

Montana is a rural state but has an excellent and improving business infrastructure for rapidly moving people, goods and information to markets in the US and around the world. Montana’s vast energy resources, including hydroelectric power, wind energy, oil, natural gas and coal, have not only provided opportunities for economic development but have led to the 5th lowest industrial electric rate of any state in the nation. Numerous global companies have chosen to locate in Montana including Boeing, Oracle, ExxonMobil and AMEC Geomatrix.

CORPORATION LICENCE TAX
The corporation licence tax is a franchise tax levied on corporations for the privilege of doing business in Montana. The rate of the tax is 6.75 per cent and is calculated on net income earned in Montana.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Montana has made several upgrades in its telecommunications infrastructure over recent years and our business can profit. Web-based companies with international footprints are successfully growing in communities throughout Montana.

NATURAL RESOURCES
Montana is a state defined by its natural resources. The state’s motto is “Gold and Silver”, and it is known as the “Treasure State”, both phrases illustrating the importance of natural resources to the state’s history, identity and economy. With the Rocky Mountains to the west and the Great Plains to the east, today the majority of Montana’s foremost industries thrive on the state’s natural resources.

ENERGY DEVELOPMENT
Montana’s world class energy resources – wind, oil and gas, biofuels, biomass, coal and more – are second to none in the United States and provide us with the opportunity to help the nation wean itself from foreign oil while creating economic growth opportunities here in Montana. We can provide a good share of the energy resources America needs in a manner that respects and protects the wild places that make Montana so special.

TRANSPORTATION
There are more public road miles in Montana than Interstate miles in the entire US. Over 82 per cent of all manufactured goods are moved in and out of Montana by truck, 93 per cent of Montana’s agricultural products are shipped out of state by rail. Montana has 15 state-owned airports, 118 public-use airports and over 350 private-use airports.

RAILROAD
Montana’s rail system includes approximately 3500 miles of track and is served by two major rail companies, Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and Union Pacific. BNSF has 2135 miles of track and has transported 1,570,046 carloads across Montana in a single year.