Governor Gianforte Continues Annual 56 County Tour in Eastern Montana

Governor Gianforte Continues Annual 56 County Tour in Eastern Montana

• May 16 2025

MILES CITY, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today continued his fifth annual 56 County Tour as governor, meeting with small business owners in Dawson, Prairie, and Custer counties before helping unveil the new state of Montana brand at the World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale.

“Whether butchers or shop owners, our small business owners add vibrancy to the community while supporting their families and our economy,” Gov. Gianforte said. “It’s great to highlight these hardworking Montanans in their communities and help launch a new state brand that tells their stories.”

Gov. Gianforte joining the Montana Department of Commerce to unveil the new Montana brand in Miles City

Starting the day in Dawson County, the governor visited Big Sky Butcher in Glendive to highlight the processor and their recent investments in expansion.

The processing facility was formerly Triple T Meats and came under the new ownership of Matt Baca in 2023. Big Sky Butcher selling award-winning polish bratwurst and hot dogs and beef cuts.

Gov. Gianforte and Big Sky Butcher owner Matt Baca in Glendive

Expanding meat processing capacity in the state has been a top priority for Gov. Gianforte. Through the Montana Department of Agriculture, meat processors and other business owners can apply for Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) grants or to invest in their operations. Big Sky Butcher was a recipient of a $50,000 grant to invest in expansions to their inspection facility.

“We are working to get our inspection facility up to standards and the grant helps us invest in that. It really helped us invest in all our improvements, we were able to put it toward construction costs,” said Baca on the benefit of the support from the department.

Continuing the tour in Prairie County, Gov. Gianforte met with small business owners to discuss measures recently passed in the legislative session.

Signing into law the largest income tax cut in state history last month, the governor secured over $750 million in relief for Montanans at every income level.

Sitting down with the Prairie County Sheriff, the Terry Mayor, owners of Lewis Family Hardware, the Kempton Hotel, and the 4 Corners Convenience store, the governor heard of the impact of the tax relief on small business owners and support for the legislature to go even further in future sessions.

Rounding out the day in Custer County, the governor joined the Montana Department of Commerce in Miles City to unveil a new brand for the state of Montana.

Holding a press conference at the fairgrounds, the governor shared the significance of the unveiling, “For the first time in 16 years, we’re reintroducing Montana to the world. And we’re doing it by shining a spotlight on the people who make this place what it is. Because the strength of our state isn’t found in slogans or logos, it’s found in our people.”

According to the department, the new brand will tell the stories of Montana families, businesses, farms, ranches, and community partners to promote opportunities the Treasure State has to offer.

Part of the brand launch includes a 1968 Chevy truck wrapped with the Montana logo. Over the course of the next few months, the Department of Commerce will travel the state to help Montana residents learn about the new brand.

The public is encouraged to attend tour events to learn about the new brand and connect with representatives from the Montana Department of Commerce, regional destination marketing organizations, tribal nations, and local community organizations. View the tour schedule here.

The governor will remain in Miles City this weekend to kick-off the World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale and honor a veteran with his 2025 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation award.

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