Governor Gianforte Visits Veteran-Owned Business in Victor

Governor Continues Celebration of Invest in Veterans Week

• March 05 2024

VICTOR, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today visited Double J Fencing, a veteran-owned business in Victor, to celebrate Invest in Veterans Week. 

“Our state gets stronger every time a veteran moves or comes home to Montana,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Our veterans know how to complete a mission, they know how to work as a team, and they’re ready to get to work. Veterans help drive our economy forward.” 

Gov. Gianforte visits with Jim Vargovich, owner of Double J Fencing 

Owned by U.S. Army veteran Jim Vargovich, Double J Fencing is a fully-licensed, bonded, and insured fencing, iron work, and design company servicing the entire state of Montana.  

Originally from Idaho, Vargovich was medically discharged from the Army and later attended Idaho State University where he received an associate degree in Diesel Mechanics and Power Generation before moving to Montana to pursue the fencing business full-time. 

Touring the business, the governor heard more from Vargovich on his priorities to support his fellow veterans through employment. 

“We want to hire as many veterans as we can,” Vargovich said. “It's important for veterans to come together and have that feeling of commonality when working together and getting back in their own communities again." 

Montana is proudly home to one of the highest populations of veterans per capita in the country and the governor is committed to tearing down barriers for veterans as they transition to civilian life.  

After serving our country in uniform, many Montana veterans operate small businesses, farms, and ranches across the state, creating good-paying jobs, strengthening our economy, and expanding opportunities for Montanans. 

Since taking office, the governor has taken several actions to support small business owners and veterans, including increasing the business equipment tax exemption from $100,000 to $1 million, eliminating more than 5,000 businesses from the business equipment tax rolls.  

The business equipment tax imposes a costly compliance burden, with businesses required to inventory and report their equipment to the state each year. Reducing the burden of the business equipment tax on Montanans encourages business investment and promotes job creation. 

Additionally, working alongside legislators, the governor also signed a bill this past session that exempts up to 50 percent of military retirement pay from the state income tax.