A Message From Director Bertoglio
Looking back on my first few months as director of the Montana Department of Commerce, I’m proud to lead a great agency doing exceptional work for the people of this state. When I joined Commerce in June, I asked only that each team member work to the best of his or her ability each day to serve our fellow Montanans. Since then, I’ve seen time and again how dedicated public employees can turn an agency’s mission into positive outcomes for our neighbors.
For example, Commerce helped welcome new and expanding businesses to our state, from VACOM in Lewistown to Amazon in Butte to Rivian in Belgrade. We planned and organized a trade mission to Japan and South Korea led by Gov. Greg Gianforte in October. As a part of this mission, I saw first-hand how our business attraction, diplomacy, international tourism and export teams work together to bring good businesses and visitors to Montana.
Program staff also worked diligently to launch grant and loan funding opportunities like the Economic Impact and Destination Event Grant, the Big Sky Film Grant, the Tribal Tourism Small Business Grant, the Agritourism Grant and the Opportunities in Rural Economies Loan Participation Program. These programs allocate resources where they’re needed most, and they wouldn’t be possible without staff dedicated to fairly screening, selecting and supporting awardees.
In October, the Commerce Housing team was recognized by the National Council of State Housing Agencies for its statewide Fair Market Rent Reevaluation Survey, which led to HUD raising FMRs by an average of 14% across the state. The team also received a Governor’s Award for Excellence in Performance for the survey. Since July 1, Commerce has issued 550 Housing Choice Vouchers and is on track to issue over 700 by year-end. This achievement is a prime example of our team members seeing a need, working to address it and following through to deliver targeted support.
In addition to the everyday work of each Commerce division and program, our employees donated their time, talent and funds to make sure this holiday season is a happy one for our communities. Our November turkey drive for the Salvation Army’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner sent 89 donated turkeys to dinner tables in Helena, and our annual Cat/Griz food drive collected over 750 items for Helena Food Share. Whether choosing a child’s wish list from the Salvation Army Angel Tree, giving blood at the Red Cross Blood Drive or donating food as part of the governor’s 12 Days of Giving campaign, Commerce employees find a way to go the extra mile.
From June to December alone, Commerce allocated millions in grants, loans and tax credits to dozens of recipients through programs like the Montana Historic Preservation Grant, Montana Coal Endowment and Community Development Block Grant. In awarding and administering these programs, providing technical assistance, and promoting business development, tourism and infrastructure, Commerce staff continue to demonstrate their commitment to you: to support economic growth and opportunity across the state and build a prosperous future for everyone who calls Montana home.
On behalf of everyone at Commerce, we look forward to serving Montanans in the new year and we wish everyone happy holidays and a healthy, prosperous 2026!
Tags: Article
