Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney and Commerce Director Tara Rice joined community leaders, business owners and local policymakers in Billings today to discuss innovative ways to enhance tourism and strengthen local economies across eastern Montana, as part of the Eastern Montana Tourism Partner Initiative.

Lieutenant Governor Mike Cooney and Department of Commerce Director Tara Rice will meet with tourism partners next week as part of a community-led initiative to encourage long-term tourism growth and economic development in eastern Montana communities.

Lieutenant Governor Mike Cooney, chairman of the Montana Census Complete Count Committee, today announced that the U.S. Census Bureau aims to hire thousands of Montanans by early next year to ensure every person in the state is counted during the 2020 Census.

Lieutenant Governor Mike Cooney and Commerce Director Tara Rice joined residents and community leaders Friday at a groundbreaking event to celebrate the future of Red Alder Residences, 85 new affordable homes for families and individuals in Helena.

Lieutenant Governor Mike Cooney and Montana Department of Commerce Director Tara Rice today presented awards to Montana’s housing champions during the Annual Housing Partnership Conference.

Montana’s Census and Economic Information Center at the Department of Commerce is reminding Montanans today that official U.S. Census Bureau surveys will never ask respondents for money, and those surveys will always be postmarked from the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau.

During Thursday night’s annual celebration in Great Falls of small business leaders and Montana’s Small Business Development Center network, Julie Jaksha, Butte Regional SBDC Director was named the 2019 Montana “State Star.” The State Star is a national award that recognizes outstanding performers from Small Business Development Centers.

Lieutenant Governor Mike Cooney and Commerce Director Tara Rice Tuesday joined in celebrating the grand opening of Kalispell’s Courtyard Apartments, a 32-unit newly-renovated affordable housing property.

BUTTE, Mont. – Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney and Commerce Director Tara Rice Wednesday celebrated the third annual SBDC Day, a national celebration of the impact of Small Business Development Centers, with an event in Butte featuring Montana small business owners and the state’s SBDC Network.

HELENA, Mont. – Helena business Sage and Oats Trading Post and its owners, Major and Michelle Robinson, have been honored by their peers as the 2019 Made in Montana Retailer of the Year.