State Resources


Montana Business Resources

Montana’s early economy centered on mining the State’s rich deposits of minerals and metal; at one point satisfying over 40% of world demand for copper. The constant expansion of the railroad network in the late 19th and early 20th centuries brought an influx of agricultural workers who helped diversify Montana’s economy and increased the state population.

Montana is still largely dependant on its natural resources, with agriculture, tourism, timber, and mineral production all playing integral roles in the state economy. These industries take advantage of Montana’s natural mineral deposits, scenic beauty, forestlands, and open ranges. The state is also shifting towards the service sector, which now accounts for three-fourths of the gross state product. Apart from tourism, major service industries include real estate, construction, and health care.

Business Data

Per Capita Real GDP$27,942 Rank: 47/50 (2006)
Population902,195 Rank: 44/50 (2000)
Per Capita Personal Income$30,688 Rank: 42/50 (2006)
Unemployment Rate3.20% Rank: 8/50 (2008)
Business Tax Climate IndexRank: 6/50 (2008)
Corporate Tax Rate6.75%
Individual Tax Rate 1% - 4%
Sales Tax Rate 0

Business Tax Climate Index

Individual Income Tax Index Rank
Sales Tax Index Rank
Unemployment Insurance Tax Index Rank
Property Tax Index Rank
Business Tax Climate Index
Corporate Tax Index Rank

State Information

AbbreviationMT
CapitalHelena
Nick NameTreasure State
State Web Sitehttp://www.montana.gov
MottoGold and silver

Top 5 Export Partner Countries

Canada, Japan, Germany, Mexico, Taiwan

Top 5 Export Merchandise

Chemicals Primary Metals Manufacturing Chemicals Manufacturing Petroleum and Coal

Major Cities

Billings, Great Falls, Missoula

GDP

Total Gross Domestic Product (USD Millions) $34,253.00 (2007)
Per Capita Real GDP (USD)$28,201.00 Rank: 48 (2007)

Population Stats

Population 967,440 Rank: 44 (2008)

Age Distribution

Under 18 Population230,062
Under 18 Percent of Total Population26%
65 and older Population120,949
65 and older Percent of Total Population13%

Gender Distribution

Male Population49.8%
Female Population50.2%
Non-English Speaker (at home)35,912
Net International Immigration2,141
Birth Rate12.4%
Percent of People Under Poverty Level14.4%
Rank14

Expenditure

Per Capita State Spending$5,645
Rank26
Energy Expenditures per Person$4,959
Expenditures of State and Local Government Employee-Retirement Systems$376,781

Revenue

Personal Income$33,373
Rank42
State Internal Revenue Collection$4,522,680
Rank46
Cash and Deposits by State Government$249,490
Per Capita State Tax Collection$2,259
Rank27

Education

High School Graduation Rate79.3%
Rank8
Percent of Population with a Bachelor's Degree18.5%
Rank17
Percent of Population with an Advanced Degree8.2%
Rank33

Largest Universities

Montana State University, Billings Montana State University, Bozeman University of Montana, Missoula
High School Graduation Rate79.3%

Logistics

Public Road Length (Mile)73,148
Gas Tax Rate (%)27.75%
Highway Planning and Construction (USD Thousands)312,985
Number of Public Airports122

Main Airports

GTF: Great Falls

Ports

Weather


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State Business Links

The Montana Standard
http://www.mtstandard.com

Secretary of State

Montana Secretary of State
http://www.sos.mt.gov
Welcome to the Montana Secretary of State's online office! The Secretary of State is responsible for the filing of records for businesses and corporations.

Small Business Administration

Montana Small Business Administration
http://www.sba.gov/localresources/district/mt/index.html
Located in the Federal Building at 10 West 15th Street, Suite 1100, Helena, Montana, the Montana District Office is the only SBA office in Montana and serves all 56 counties. Montana is the fourth largest state covering approximately 147,046 square miles. Greatest distance from east to west boundary: approximatley 550 miles, greatest distance from north to south boundary: approximately 320 miles in western Montana and approximately 280 miles in eastern Montana. Thousands of miles are traveled each year providing financial and business assistance to the small business constituency of Montana.

Top 10 Business Links

Bureau of Business and Economic Research
http://www.bber.umt.edu/
From the UM School of Business Administration, find data and reports such as economic analyses, outlooks, research, forest products, manufacturing, healthcare, community profiles and more.
Business Standards
http://mt.gov/dli/bsd/
Part of the Department of Labor and Industry, this site is all about professional licensing, permits, and standards. Available services and resources include applications for permits, license renewal, and more.
Employment Relations
http://erd.dli.mt.gov/
Part of the Department of Labor and Industry, this page supplies information and data on human rights, labor standards, worker safety and health, and workers’ compensation regulation.
In Business Monthly
http://mtinbusiness.com/inbiz-0905/
This is a news service focused on business in western Montana. Previous editions are also available.
Montana World Trade Center
http://www.mwtc.org/
The MWTC is a member-based organization offering help with international trade. Members receive various benefits, some of which are mentoring services, basic IB research and guidance, and export/import readiness assessment.
Office of Economic Development
http://www.business.mt.gov/
The Montana OED provides helpful information and resources on starting, locating, expanding, and licensing a business. A few services and related documents are available as well.
Small Business Development Center
http://sbdc.mt.gov/
The Montana SBDCs aim to help small business in Montana. They offer counseling services on all manner of business matters affecting forming or existing small businesses at low or no cost. Training workshops and seminars are offered as well.
U.S. Export Assistance Center of Montana
http://www.buyusa.gov/montana/
The Montana branch of the Department of Commerce specializes in helping small to medium sized companies develop and execute exporting strategies. Fees vary and are based on the service being provided. A number of great resources are freely available as well, including exporting FAQs, various guides for exporters, events, webinars, an international trade newsletter, and more.

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