Montana boasts strong business creation numbers

Montana is proving itself once again to be an entrepreneur-friendly state by being named the best state in the country for business startups. According to data from Entrepreneur Media, the Treasure State has the advantageous combination of a low regulatory burden, a simple and reduced tax code, and a high business startup survival rate. The statistics show that Montana’s consistent efforts towards attracting and retaining businesses are paying off. Thanks to the work of state leaders like Governor Gianforte and Secretary of State Jacobsen, entrepreneurs continue to flock to Montana.

Governor Gianforte said:  

“As an entrepreneur, I know firsthand the joys and challenges of starting and growing a business. With my experience, I am working every day as governor to make government more efficient and responsive to Montanans looking to invest in their dreams and in the Treasure State. To continue our positive momentum, we must continue cutting taxes so businesses can create good-paying jobs for Montanans across the state.”

Secretary Jacobsen stated:

“Cutting red tape, becoming more business friendly, inviting businesses, we want businesses to come to the state. We invite businesses to start here.”

The report found that Montana saw roughly 4,800 startups in 2024, along with a calculated startup opportunity score of 9.55, and a 10-year survival rate of 41%. In January of this year, Secretary Jacobsen’s office reported that 6,000 new businesses were created, which is 400 more than January of 2024. Montana has consistently found itself to be ranked as a top state for its business climate, including being ranked as 5th in the country in tax competitiveness according to the Tax Foundation’s recent 2025 publication.

This news also comes after Governor Gianforte and Lieutenant Governor Juras celebrated the milestone of amending and repealing 25% of the state’s regulatory code. With that, Montana has grown its employment numbers by an average of 1.8% over the last five years.

Secretary Jacobsen has played a big role in fostering this favorable business environment. Jacobsen was thanked for her important efforts as one of Mountain States Policy Center’s Elevation Award recipients at our Spring Dinner in 2023. After her election in 2021, Secretary Jacobsen has done a tremendous amount of work towards reducing the administrative and regulatory hassle when creating and maintaining a business. One example is from 2022 when Secretary Jacobsen announced business filing fees were reduced, saving Montana businesses approximately $1,139,000.

Montana continues to demonstrate that it is a top state in which to start a business. Last year, the 2024 Montana Business Economic Report found that 63,808 new businesses were created, and over 324,000 businesses were in “good standing” according to the Better Business Bureau. The number of “good standing” operations has also grown each year.

Creating an attractive business environment is arguably more important now than ever.  The most recent U.S Business Formation Statistics tell us that in 2023, the U.S. saw the highest number of business filings ever. This 8% increase from 5.08 million to 5.49 million is also the highest jump between two consecutive years. The numbers exhibit that Americans are more ambitious and entrepreneurial than ever, and Montana offers a perfect spot for these business creators to call home.