Governor Gianforte Celebrates Stronger Communities in Eastern Montana

• August 13 2025

HYSHAM, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today continued his 56 County Tour, meeting with Montanans in Big Horn, Rosebud and Treasure counties to celebrate recent investments strengthening rural communities.

“It’s great to hit the road to see firsthand how communities are thriving across eastern Montana,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Thanks to our pro-family, pro-jobs agenda, we’re connecting Montanans to job opportunities, expanding access to child care, supporting the men and women of law enforcement, and delivering much-need updates to critical infrastructure.”

Gov. Gianforte cuts a ribbon on a new jobs service site with DLI Commissioner Swanson, Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council President Gene Small, Councilwoman Melissa Lonebear, and Senator Gayle Lammers, R-Hardin.

Beginning the day in Lame Deer, the governor joined Northern Cheyenne Tribal President Gene Small and Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) Commissioner Sarah Swanson to cut the ribbon on a new job service office.

“For us here at the tribe, we are excited about this site,” President Small said. “We need to let our people know that it’s here, that service is here for them, and that this service can help a lot of people. They can use the computers, write resumes, and can get help with job searches. I’m just thankful for that. The governor was talking about the 406 JOBS program, and that’s something that’s exciting for us. Anything we can do to help people get jobs around here is plus for us.”

The Lame Deer office is the first jobs service site at a tribal headquarters, and the first new site in over 40 years. In December, the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council passed a unanimous resolution inviting DLI to set up the site, recognizing the importance of career development and job placement. The site will offer soft skills training and help prepare workers for the jobs of the future.

Earlier this week, the governor signed an executive order launching the 406 JOBS initiative to unify and streamline Montana’s state workforce system. 406 JOBS stands for Four Pathways to Employment, Zero Barriers to Work, and Six High Demand Sectors. The governor’s executive order requires DLI and the State Workforce Innovation Board to consult with the tribal nations in Montana.

Gov. Gianforte tours the Little Blessings Childcare Center with Director of Indian Affairs Misty Kuhl, First Lady Susan Gianforte, Crow Tribe Chairman Frank Whiteclay, and Senator Lammers.

Traveling to the Crow Nation, the governor visited with Crow Tribe Chairman Frank Whiteclay to tour the Little Blessings Apsaalooke Childcare Center.

Opening last year, the 45,000 square foot facility can serve 150 children, aged 3 to 9. The goal is to eventually expand the building to include a head start program. Currently, the center has multiple classrooms, a playground, and offers summer and after school care. The total cost to build the facility was approximately $5.2 million.

“It was very great to have the governor here, we’ve had a great relationship since the start of my administration,” Chairman Whiteclay said. “He’s always been a big part of supporting us and all the different programs we want to do and our child care programs. Having him come here, seeing the progress of the tribe, opens up the doors between the working relationship, the government-to-government relationship with the state.”

In accordance with the governor’s commitment to expanding access to quality and affordable child care for Montana families, the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPPHS) in 2021 initiated a comprehensive needs assessment to identify where unnecessary regulatory barriers for licensed and registered child care providers in Montana exist, while maintaining requirements necessary to ensure the safety and well-being on children in care.

One change identified was to amend the qualifying age for a base role as a teacher in a child care center from 18 to 16 to allow more qualified Montanans to enter the field.

Gov. Gianforte holds a roundtable with Hardin law enforcement and community leaders

Traveling to Big Horn County, Gov. Gianforte held a roundtable discussion with law enforcement officers and first responders to receive an update on recent investments to update county dispatch units.

The Hardin Police Department received a $113,000 grand from the Montana Coal Board to upgrade its radio dispatch system in June. Speaking to the impact of the investment, Hardin Police Chief Paul George told the governor how the new system will help his officers keep their community safe.

“Communication and collaboration is the biggest thing,” Chief George said. “And with the Montana Coal Board money, that allowed our community to purchase radios that bring us into 21st century policing. We were operating on old radio systems, and these new radios allow us to talk to any law enforcement agency across the country.”

Public safety is a top priority for the governor. Working with legislators, the governor secured this legislative session a $250 million investment to establish a long-term public safety plan.

“It’s amazing that the governor came down to our small community to discuss the challenges and accomplishments our community has faced,” Chief George said.

Gov. Gianforte visits a water treatment plant in Forsyth

Continuing the tour to Rosebud County, the governor toured the Forsyth water treatment plant, which is currently getting upgraded to a new system. The plant was originally built in the 1930’s and upgrades were needed to provide a dependable water source for residents.

The State of Montana, through the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and Department of Commerce, provided $5 million funding to replace the intake main and structures, replace pipes, rehabilitating the current water tank, and adding an additional tank. The upgrades are projected to be completed this year.

Speaking to the importance of the project, Forsyth Public Works Director Taylor Hellman explained what the investment means to the community.

“Working with DNRC to get the grants, we couldn’t be more grateful,” Hellman said. “These projects are extremely expensive for communities. Through new technology, it’s beneficial to the community. Having the governor come see this project and the undertaking, it’s extremely beneficial.”

Gov. Gianforte signs a wall at the River Bottom Bar & Grill

Traveling to Treasure County, Gov. Gianforte spotlighted a new family-owned business in Hysham, the River Bottom Bar & Grill.

Opening in June, the restaurant is owned and operated by Montana native Stacy Hauptmann who moved back home with her husband, Dan. Stacy said returning home was really important to her family and the community has been supportive since they opened their doors.

“Just coming back home has meant a lot to me, and to be able to do this for the community,” Stacy said. “We’ve had the best support ever. The support from my family has been wonderful. My son helping, my parents are back there working. We’re really trying to help the community. It was turning into a ghost town, but a little town needs a place where they can connect and meet with friends.”

To support small business owners, the governor increased the business equipment tax exemption from $100,000 in 2021 to $1 million, eliminating the tax burden for 5,000 Montana businesses, farms, and ranches. Additionally, the governor signed into law the largest income tax cut in state history this year, returning over $750 million in permanent tax cuts to Montanans.

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