Report: Montana sees record 13.7M tourists in ’24, but spending declines
Montana saw a spike in the number of tourists and other visitors in 2024 besting the old record by almost a million people. Nonresident visitation increased by 9% in 2024 compared to 2023 for a total of 13.79 million travelers overall. The total nonresident visitor spending in 2024 was down 8% from the previous year though for a total of $4.93 billion.
One fire bill signed by Governor and Two Vetoed
Governor Greg Gianforte made decisions on firefighting laws this week signing House Bill 84 into law creating a certification program and outlining who is liable if a prescribed fire gets out of control. He vetoed House Bills 511 and 547which would have taken $5 million from the general fund and directed it to a special revenue account for dispersion to local governments via grants for training facilities.
Native leaders raise concerns over potential HHS cuts impacting tribal health programs
Native American leaders in Montana are voicing concerns about possible budget cuts to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that could affect essential programs for Indigenous communities. The programs often provide the only access to basic support for the most vulnerable individuals of Native communities. The cuts are part of a broader government effort to reduce the size of federal agencies.
Zinke leads charge in stripping public land sales from ‘big beautiful bill’
A provision allowing the sale of some 450,000 acres of public lands in Utah and Nevada was removed from President Trump’s “big beautiful” tax package late Wednesday that passed the U.S. House this morning and Montana Representative Ryan Zinke led the effort. The congressman from Whitefish has become increasingly vocal since the provision was introduced in early May setting a red line and forming the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus.
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United Airlines is launching a daily seasonal flight today from Billings to Chicago which will run through October. The connection also makes it easier for travelers from a key tourism market to visit the city and Southeast Montana strengthening Billings’ position as a regional center for commerce and investment.
The Kalispell North Town Center will soon see the relocations of Costco and the Kalispell Toyota dealership as part of the city’s “newest community.” The property has seen 22 commercial lot sales, 80,000 square feet of commercial real estate already developed and an additional 300,000 square feet in the works.
The Montana Department of Transportation is alerting residents to a new text scam circulating across the state. The scam suggests that residents owe fines for toll roads which do not exist in Montana. The department reported receiving more than 200 calls in the past week regarding this scam.
Governor Greg Gianforte has signed House Bill 818 making Montana the sixth state to adopt a ban on foreign spending in ballot measure campaigns. Montana joins five other states that adopted bans this year and ten states that passed similar laws in prior years bringing the total to 16.
Hamilton gained 30 new trees this week thanks to the Montana Urban and Community Forestry Association. Hamilton city staff students from Trapper Creek Job Corps and additional volunteers worked together to plant them around downtown Hamilton and at River Park.
Dunraven Pass inside Yellowstone National Park is scheduled to open Friday. It connects Canyon Village to the Tower Fall area and normally closes in late October or early November along with most of the other roads inside the Park. It is possible a weather system could force a short-term re-closure of the road until snow plow crews determine it is safe to travel on again.
