Promote:
Invest in Montana
A short guide for companies expanding into Montana: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Montana at a glance
Population
1.14 million
The population was 1,144,694 as of July 1, 2025.
Source: Census Bureau, state population estimates, July 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP
US$80.9 billion
GDP was US$80,945.2 million in 2025, in current dollars.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per person
US$70,713
GDP per person was US$70,713.4 in 2025, in current dollars, computed from the Bureau of Economic Analysis's GDP and the Census Bureau's population estimate.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growth
2.0%
Real GDP grew 2.0 percent in 2025, the Bureau of Economic Analysis's published percent change, after 2.6 percent in 2024.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Currency and inflation: see the United States at a glance
2. Before you set up
The body that handles foreign investment, any one-stop route, Montana’s limits on foreign ownership, the zones and other rules for investors, as the guide found them.
SelectUSA's Montana entry names only the State of Montana; the Department of Commerce, created by Montana Code section 2-15-1801, is the state economic development organization.
Source: SelectUSA, state economic development contacts (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
No single Montana portal for business registration and tax together was found; the Department of Revenue's eStop program covers licenses from seven agencies.
Source: Montana Small Business Development Center, business licensing (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Montana Code section 35-30-103 bars a foreign adversary from buying, leasing or renting agricultural production land, critical infrastructure, or property in direct line of sight of a military installation.
Source: Montana Code Annotated 2025, section 35-30-103 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
The Foreign-Trade Zones Board's 2024 annual report lists 3 foreign-trade zones in Montana.
Source: Foreign-Trade Zones Board, annual report 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Show 5 more
The governor's May 4, 2023 signing release names China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela, and says the ban applies to their governments and to corporations headquartered there.
Source: Governor's Office, foreign adversary land release, May 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of May 4, 2023
A foreign adversary that violates section 35-30-103 must divest within one year or face a public auction by the county sheriff, and the attorney general or county may sue.
Source: Montana Code Annotated 2025, section 35-30-103 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Section 35-30-103 defines a foreign adversary by the federal commerce secretary's determination under Executive Order 13873, and includes corporations headquartered in, or controlled from, such a nation.
Source: Montana Code Annotated 2025, section 35-30-103 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
A 2025 act (Chapter 210) amended section 15-18-220: county treasurers may not sell tax-deed property to a foreign entity, and bidders must prove domestic status in writing.
Source: Montana Code Annotated 2025, section 15-18-220 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Section 15-17-121 defines a foreign entity as a foreign government, a foreign political party, or an entity located, organized or headquartered outside the United States.
Source: Montana Code Annotated 2025, section 15-17-121 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Investment rules across the United States: see Invest in the United States
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Montana
- Obtain a certificate of authority from the Secretary of State before a foreign limited liability company transacts business in Montana.Montana Secretary of StateOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Montana Code Annotated 2025, section 35-8-1001 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
- Register for a withholding tax account through the TransAction Portal or Form GenReg before you pay wages in Montana.Montana Department of RevenueOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Montana Department of Revenue, withholding accounts (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- File a Montana corporate income tax return, electronically through approved software, if you are a C corporation doing business in the state.Montana Department of RevenueOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Montana Department of Revenue, corporate income tax (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Register for unemployment insurance through UI eServices for Employers before you hire.Montana Department of Labor & IndustryOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Montana Department of Labor and Industry, UI eServices for employers (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 1 more set-up step
- Check the state business licenses your activity needs, using the Small Business Development Center's licensing guide.Montana Small Business Development Center NetworkOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Montana Small Business Development Center, business licensing (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Steps that apply across the United States: see Invest in the United States
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with Commerce Department and Montana SBDC. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
- This guide lists every Montana body found with evidence dated 2025 or later. Source (opens in a new tab)
Investment and business setup
- Get advice
State economic development agency
Commerce Department
Montana Department of Commerce
Runs Montana's business assistance, finance, export and tourism programs, including the team that helps companies export.
Visit Commerce Department (opens in a new tab)Source: Montana Department of Commerce, weekly roundup, February 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 13, 2025
- Get advice
Small business advising network
Montana SBDC
Montana Small Business Development Center Network
Gives free one-on-one business advice and low-cost training through regional centers across Montana.
Visit Montana SBDC (opens in a new tab)Source: Montana Small Business Development Center, 2025 impact report (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 1 more organization
State workforce agency
Labor and Industry
Montana Department of Labor & Industry
Runs unemployment insurance registration and tax for employers, and certifies employers for the Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit.
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Revenue Department
Montana Department of Revenue
Administers the corporate income tax, wage withholding accounts, property tax and the lodging facility tax, and publishes registration guides.
Visit Revenue Department (opens in a new tab)Source: Montana Department of Revenue, 2026 property tax information (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Export advisory council
Montana DEC
Montana District Export Council
Advises exporters and policymakers on export education and policy, and gives an annual Exporter of the Year award.
Visit Montana DEC (opens in a new tab)Source: Montana Department of Commerce, District Export Council (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Wheat and barley checkoff board
Wheat and Barley Committee
Montana Wheat & Barley Committee
Promotes wheat and barley research and develops trade markets abroad, funded by grower assessments.
Show 1 more organization
Pulse crop checkoff committee
Pulse Crop Committee
Montana Pulse Crop Committee
Funds market development, research and education for Montana dry peas, lentils and chickpeas from a grower checkoff.
Visit Pulse Crop Committee (opens in a new tab)Source: Montana Department of Agriculture, Pulse Crop Committee (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Reserved sectors
Section 35-30-103 bars foreign adversaries from buying, leasing or renting agricultural production land, critical infrastructure or property in line of sight of a military installation.
What to do: Check section 35-30-103 with counsel before you buy or lease land, and confirm that no court order applies.
Sources: Montana Code Annotated 2025, section 35-30-103 (opens in a new tab); Governor's Office, foreign adversary land release, May 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Commercial property tax
The Department of Revenue taxes commercial and industrial property in 2026 at 1.50 percent of assessed value below US$2,274,000 and 1.90 percent at or above it.
What to do: Check your parcel's assessed value with the Department of Revenue before you model property costs.
Source: Montana Department of Revenue, 2026 property tax information (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Billings construction
The Minneapolis Fed's September 2026 Beige Book says airport projects and a planned retirement complex lifted Billings building permit values to their highest level in recent years.
What to do: Ask local contractors about lead times and prices before you schedule construction in Billings.
Source: Minneapolis Fed, Beige Book, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Tax deed foreign bans
A 2025 act (Chapter 210) amended section 15-18-220 so county treasurers may not sell tax-deed property to a foreign entity, and bidders must prove domestic entity status.
What to do: Give written proof of domestic entity status before you bid at a county tax-deed auction.
Sources: Montana Code Annotated 2025, section 15-18-220 (opens in a new tab); Montana Code Annotated 2025, section 15-17-121 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Across the United States: see Worth knowing in Invest in the United States
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare the United States with other countriesSet the United States beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
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- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
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Promote:Montana is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of November 4, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.