Commerce’s Montana Main Street Program Releases 2025 Annual Report
Photo Information
HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that the Montana Main Street Program, part of Commerce’s Community MT Division, released its first annual report. The report, which can be downloaded on Commerce’s website, showcases communities that are actively involved in preserving and restoring downtown economies and historic districts.
Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio said, “This report highlights the positive impact of the Montana Main Street Program on local economies all over our state. As the report shows, the MMS Program benefits its member communities in specific and measurable ways. Commerce is excited to continue working with our Main Street communities in 2026.”
Funded by the bed tax and created by the Montana Legislature, the MMS Program recently marked its 20th year and comprises 38 member communities across Montana. As a Main Street America coordinating program, MMS is part of a grassroots network committed to promoting local main streets, creating high-quality spaces and building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.
The 2025 MMS Annual Report covers people, places and events on main streets from Thompson Falls to Ekalaka. The report showcases the benefits of becoming an MMS community as MMS staff deliver consistent, high-quality services to local programs. Program staff traveled nearly 10,000 miles in 2025, meeting with community partners, offering trainings and performing site visits.
Fourteen member communities, listed in the report, completed projects in 2025 with MMS grants totaling nearly $800,000. With data from member communities’ quarterly reports, MMS staff shared the following downtown revitalization numbers:
Communities selected to participate in the MMS network are eligible for program-specific training and topical workshops. In 2024, MMS initiated “60 Minutes with Main Street,” a monthly virtual networking opportunity where members can learn, share and provide updates. MMS communities are eligible to apply for program grants and have access to a resource library that includes document samples and recorded webinars, and MMS staff can guide communities through the steps needed to become nationally recognized by Main Street America.
To learn more about the MMS Program, visit commerce.mt.gov.
Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio said, “This report highlights the positive impact of the Montana Main Street Program on local economies all over our state. As the report shows, the MMS Program benefits its member communities in specific and measurable ways. Commerce is excited to continue working with our Main Street communities in 2026.”
Funded by the bed tax and created by the Montana Legislature, the MMS Program recently marked its 20th year and comprises 38 member communities across Montana. As a Main Street America coordinating program, MMS is part of a grassroots network committed to promoting local main streets, creating high-quality spaces and building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.
The 2025 MMS Annual Report covers people, places and events on main streets from Thompson Falls to Ekalaka. The report showcases the benefits of becoming an MMS community as MMS staff deliver consistent, high-quality services to local programs. Program staff traveled nearly 10,000 miles in 2025, meeting with community partners, offering trainings and performing site visits.
Fourteen member communities, listed in the report, completed projects in 2025 with MMS grants totaling nearly $800,000. With data from member communities’ quarterly reports, MMS staff shared the following downtown revitalization numbers:
- 1,128 full-time and part-time jobs created
- 324 businesses created
- 98 rehabilitation projects completed
- 90 public improvement projects completed
- 51 new construction projects completed
- $32,751,690 in public investment
- $28,084,817 in private investment
- 6,573 events held
- 92,462 volunteer hours contributed
Communities selected to participate in the MMS network are eligible for program-specific training and topical workshops. In 2024, MMS initiated “60 Minutes with Main Street,” a monthly virtual networking opportunity where members can learn, share and provide updates. MMS communities are eligible to apply for program grants and have access to a resource library that includes document samples and recorded webinars, and MMS staff can guide communities through the steps needed to become nationally recognized by Main Street America.
To learn more about the MMS Program, visit commerce.mt.gov.
Tags: Infrastructure + Planning and Press Release