AGP Executive Report

Montana Mining: Silver Bow Mining says it intersected massive sulfide mineralization at its Rainbow Block project in Butte, reporting 0.82 meters grading 8.20% copper equivalent, and is drilling to test the extent at shallower depths. Energy & Industry: Silver Bow also secured an $88M integrated funding, credit support and offtake package with Ocean Partners UK, aimed at restarting Rainbow Block and refurbishing the Montana Tunnels mine. Workforce Watch: Montana’s labor force hit a record 577,800 in 2025, but employment dipped for the first time since 2020, with losses in mining, manufacturing, hospitality and government. Local Infrastructure: Bozeman is moving toward a traffic signal to ease Highway 191 left turns near Violet Road/Upper Rainbow Road. Agriculture & Food: A Montana farm family behind Gruff Grains and Cream of the West is pushing regenerative organic practices and a closer look at what goes into breakfast. Policy & Public Lands: The Interior Department is expanding a Prairie Pothole Wetland easement review program after a pilot phase, with extra focus on older North Dakota easements. Permitting & Development: Flathead County lakeshore permits face a new lawsuit seeking more transparency after commissioners approved 22 permits across multiple lakes. Community Projects: Miles City’s skatepark is nearing its fundraising goal after a $100,000 matching grant.

Prairie Pothole Wetlands: The Interior Department is expanding a Prairie Pothole Wetland easement review after North Dakota landowners raised concerns, with a new cooperative process aimed at older easements. Montana Economy & Jobs: Montana unemployment held steady at 3.2% in August, while Park County reported just 2.1% joblessness—among the lowest in the state. U.S. Senate Politics: More outside groups are moving into Montana’s Senate race as Election Day nears, including an independent-leaning PAC backing Seth Bodnar. Bozeman Traffic & Local Business: Plans for a new traffic signal at Highway 191 and Violet Road/Upper Rainbow Road could ease left-turn delays that frustrate drivers and customers. Energy & Renewables: Bozeman and Missoula’s green power program has advanced to Montana Public Service Commission review, letting customers support new Montana-built renewable power. Rural Health Access: LIFTT’s RideWell program is developing transportation links for older adults and people with disabilities to reach medical care across eastern Montana. Senior Care Expansion: Benefis Health System is opening the Goodnow Healthy Aging Center in Great Falls to support proactive senior health and independence. Water Safety: Columbia Falls removed a municipal well from routine service after PFOA “forever chemical” levels were detected above EPA limits. Agriculture & Seed Innovation: BASF and Bunge announced steps toward commercializing InVigor Gold canola, with initial availability planned for Montana growers in 2027. Engineering Education: Morrison-Maierle created an endowed award to support University of Wyoming engineering students. Public Lands & Data Centers: A report says the Trump administration is considering data centers on BLM land in other Western states—raising questions about whether Montana could be next. Health Costs & Antitrust: Montana is included in a multistate push urging consumers to file claims tied to generic drug price-collusion settlements.

FDA & Food Safety: A proposed overhaul of the GRAS system would require companies to notify the FDA before marketing new ingredients, potentially adding major workload and delays—while a Montana-based firm says its AI tools could speed similarity reviews. Montana Exports: Billings sports nutrition maker EFX Sports is expanding globally via Coupang, boosting sales in South Korea and adding Taiwan. Workforce & Training: Montana’s Labor Day report and Gov. Gianforte’s 406 JOBS push highlight record wages and low unemployment, but stress the next hurdle is skills, childcare, and support to fill jobs. Energy & Schools: Montana land commissioners approved an oil and gas lease sale expected to add $2.1M-plus to the education fund, driven by modern drilling. Housing & Local Planning: Kalispell is weighing a six-unit townhome proposal, with Montana’s land-use reforms shifting more approvals to city staff. Agriculture Education: MSU’s Steer-A-Year program is back, seeking cattle and feed donations to train students and supply campus dining. Public Lands Access: Montana’s debate over roadless protections and motorized trail rules continues as the Forest Service considers opening trails unless closed. Wildlife: Grizzly activity remains in the news, including sightings near Libby and an Augusta-area bear euthanized after depredation. Business Climate Politics: U.S. Chamber endorsement lands with Senate candidate Kurt Alme, who ties affordability to pro-business, pro-jobs policy.

Montana Data Center Fight: A new Montana “Right to Compute Act” is limiting what counties can do after Broadview residents pushed back on a proposed data center, leaving officials “between a rock and a hard spot” on enforcement. Energy & Agriculture: The U.S. is reportedly pursuing a “massive deal” to buy potash from Belarus, but Belarus says it lacks volume—while Montana’s underground potash resources remain part of the backdrop for fertilizer supply and prices. Immigration Detention Lawsuit: In Montana, a class-action case over warrantless immigration arrests is moving fast, with dozens of detainees seeking release after a judge found many were held without proper warrant-based process. Public Lands Funding: Montana’s Land Board approved $2.4 million in new trust-land revenue for schools, including timber and oil-and-gas lease proceeds. Tourism & Infrastructure: Yellowstone is warning that road construction is constrained by a short summer season, with travelers urged to check live road status before heading in. Beef Prices: USDA officials say demand for beef remains strong even as prices stay elevated.

Labor & Jobs: Montana’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.2% in August, staying well below the national 4.1% and led by low county figures like Fergus (2.5%) and Blaine/Phillips (2.6%), while reservation rates remain higher—Rocky Boy’s at 9.5% and Fort Belknap at 11.1%. Energy Costs: AAA reports Montana diesel hit a new record average of $6.27 a gallon, up sharply from $5.96 last week and far above last year’s $3.63. Housing Policy: California voters will decide on two major housing bond measures—Prop. 1 for affordable construction and Prop. 37 for down-payment loans—aimed at boosting new builds and homeownership. Local Governance: Kalispell City Council will consider rules for neighborhood block parties and weekend events in city-owned lots, including insurance and a $1,000 refundable deposit per permit. Industry Watch: Montana meat supplier Hi-Country Snack Foods faces mounting complaints from ranchers and suppliers after layoffs, paused production, and unpaid bills. Water & Industry: A Montana-linked groundwater law explainer highlights how state-by-state rules can make farm water use a legal minefield.

Energy Costs Hit Montana Farmers: AAA says Montana diesel hit a new record $6.27/gal Sunday, up about $1 in a month and far above last year’s $3.63—especially painful for grain growers in the “Golden Triangle.” Public Lands Contracting Shift: A new analysis of federal data says public land agencies’ contractors took a $1.3B hit in 2025, with small businesses hardest hit and more money flowing to aviation over on-the-ground work. Flood Insurance Reform Push: MPs are calling for changes to the UK’s Flood Re after reporting links between insurers in the scheme and fossil fuel projects abroad. Local Food Supply Dispute: Suppliers and former workers say Hi-Country Snack Foods in Lincoln has gone silent and owes ranchers thousands, raising red flags for meat producers waiting on payment. Superfund Cleanup Milestone: EPA says Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. remediation is on track to wrap by 2029, with officials touting major progress at the Flathead River-adjacent site. Ranching Court Fight: Montana Stockgrowers is seeking to intervene in American Prairie’s bison grazing permit lawsuit, arguing working ranchers need a voice. Montana Tech & Jobs: A new Summit Cookhaus commercial kitchen in Kalispell is opening doors for cottage food businesses and caterers to expand sales beyond in-person limits.

Energy & Rates: Bonneville Power Administration has started an expedited process for a proposed electricity rate hike of up to 6.3% for some customers after a federal court order requires extra water spill at Columbia and Snake River dams to protect threatened salmon. Mining & Land Use: A Montana op-ed warns that large-scale projects like the Blue Copper exploration plan—covering about 10,800 acres with dozens of drill pads and years of around-the-clock drilling—could leave impacts far beyond historic small-scale mining scars. Agriculture & Public Lands: Montana Stockgrowers is seeking to join a federal court fight over American Prairie’s bison grazing permits, arguing ranchers’ voices should be heard as the case turns on how the Taylor Grazing Act is applied. Environmental Cleanup: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin toured the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Superfund site, saying remediation is on track to wrap up by 2029 after major progress on toxic spent potliner waste. Workforce & Economy: Montana’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.2% in August, with slight employment gains and the state still below the national rate. Food Business: Summit Cookhaus in Kalispell is offering commercial kitchen space for caterers and bakers, helping cottage operators expand beyond in-person sales. Earth & Power: A magnitude 3.6 earthquake near Black Eagle was widely felt and briefly knocked out power for about 1,500 Great Falls customers, with no earthquake-related damage found.

Data Centers & Local Backlash: A new push against data centers is getting louder, with a Montana-focused argument that these “insulting” projects drive noise, energy and water strain—while a separate poll says nearly 75% of Montana voters oppose nearby data centers. Ranching in Federal Court: Montana Stockgrowers is seeking to join the American Prairie bison grazing permit fight, arguing working ranchers need a voice as the case turns on how bison are managed under federal grazing law. Workforce Watch: Montana’s unemployment held steady at 3.2% in August, below the national 4.1%, as employment ticked up slightly. Energy & Housing Cleanup: Officials toured the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund site as redevelopment moves forward, including the early stages of the Teakettle Heights housing project. Agriculture Health: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was confirmed in Ravalli County, the second Montana detection in 2026, prompting biosecurity reminders for poultry owners. Public Safety: A magnitude 3.6 earthquake struck near Black Eagle; power briefly went out for about 1,500 customers, with no earthquake-related damage found.

Superfund Redevelopment: Federal, state and local officials toured the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company CFAC Superfund site as Teakettle Heights (421 homes) moves into early construction, highlighting cleanup progress and reuse. Avian Health & Agriculture: Montana’s Department of Livestock confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in Ravalli County’s commercial chicken flock, urging poultry owners to tighten biosecurity and watch for symptoms. Invasive Species Threat: Fergus Conservation District says Eastern Heath Snails have spread across multiple counties, threatening crops and equipment and reproducing fast enough to seed new populations. Workforce & Education: MSU’s Steer-A-Year program is back for 2026-27, pairing student hands-on cattle care with producer donations and campus dining use. Rural Services: Montana State Bar testimony warns rural Montana is struggling to recruit lawyers, slowing court processes and leaving more people to navigate cases without representation. Energy & Data Centers: Butte-Silver Bow approved REC Silicon’s purchase of 628 acres as a buffer after data center plans fell through, while Yellowstone County faces continued resistance to a major data center buildout. Wildlife Policy: The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission advanced a wolf killing quota despite heavy public opposition, following updated population estimates.

Teacher Housing Push: Big Sky opened new school staff housing, adding units owned by the district to help teachers stay in Southwest Montana as rents climb. Public Works & Water: Giant Springs Hatchery upgrades are set to start Sept. 21 near Great Falls, with limited access during fall construction. Data Center Reality Check: Butte-Silver Bow commissioners approved REC Silicon’s purchase of about 628 acres as a buffer after earlier data center plans fell through, while Montana voters remain broadly opposed to nearby data centers and want rules to protect electricity prices. Food & Agriculture: Montana confirmed avian influenza in Ravalli County, urging poultry owners to tighten biosecurity. Beef & Markets: Ranchers point to higher supermarket beef prices and consumer concerns after recalls as an opening to market locally and differentiate products. Health Supply Chain: AG Steve Marshall led a coalition warning Rubio about Chinese national-security risks in pharmaceutical supply chains, including counterfeit GLP-1 concerns. Workplace Recovery: Recovery Friendly Montana expanded tools for businesses to support workers with substance use disorders. Energy & Tech: DOE leadership discussed nuclear power, data centers, and grid pressures as demand grows.

Water Infrastructure: A critical northeast Montana water project is headed to the President’s desk after the Senate passed a bill to reauthorize the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act, extending construction authority through 2028 and keeping work on track for communities in Roosevelt, Sheridan, Valley and Daniels counties. Housing & Development: Montana DEQ has approved the first 79 lots for Territory 1889, a luxury Flathead Lake development near Lakeside, clearing the way for water, sewer and stormwater plans tied to a larger 359-home project. Energy & Policy: The Trump administration announced $500 Obamacare refunds for nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Montana, tied to alleged overcharges from federal exchange “user fees.” Transportation: MDT will add right-turn lanes at US 93 intersections in Lakeside (Goldenview Lane and Legacy Park Way) with weekday work and single-lane traffic through early October. Wildlife & Public Lands: A postcard push in the Greater Yellowstone area is urging USDA to keep the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, warning that rescission could open millions of acres in Montana to new roads and timber harvest. Workforce & Trades: Great Falls students are nearing 50 student-built homes through a long-running high school trades program, while Butte hosted a Build Montana pop-up to spark interest in construction careers.

Transportation & Construction: MDT will add right turn lanes at two US 93 intersections in Lakeside (Goldenview Lane and Legacy Park Way) from Sept. 14 into early October, with single-lane traffic and reduced speeds. Local Infrastructure Disruptions: Missoula plans a short closure of 6th Street from Sept. 22 to Oct. 1 for the Woodford Water Main Replacement project, and Woodside Bridge on SH-373 will close for drilling in two phases Sept. 22-25 and Sept. 29-Oct. 1, with no posted detour. Energy & Costs: Montana diesel prices topped $6.07 a gallon, a record jump that could ripple through trucking, farming, and construction. Wildlife & Public Safety: DOL confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in a small commercial chicken flock in Ravalli County, urging poultry biosecurity during migration. Federal Land & Conservation: NPS signed off on no major environmental impact for Yellowstone’s North Entrance Road reconstruction after the 2022 flood, using a center-alignment option. Workforce Pipeline: Montana Contractors Association hosted a Build Montana pop-up in Butte to spark kids’ interest in trade careers. Agriculture Policy: The Meat Institute says an MCOOL amendment in the Senate Farm Bill would raise beef costs for consumers.

Bison Grazing Fight: A federal judge blocked a Bureau of Land Management rule that would have removed 900 bison from three grazing allotments, letting American Prairie keep grazing for now while its lawsuit plays out—an issue Montana officials have pushed hard on. Energy & Grid Buildout: NorVal Electric and Nemont Telecommunications are burying powerlines and expanding fiber across Valley County, improving sage grouse habitat while boosting rural connectivity near Fort Peck Lake. Mining Contamination Talks: CSKT helped host 150+ leaders at a transboundary mining conference focused on contamination threatening U.S.-Canada waterways, with Lake Koocanusa cited as a key example. Manufacturing Tech Boost: Montana State University received nearly $840,000 in federal funding to help small and mid-sized manufacturers adopt AI, robotics, automation, and additive manufacturing. Hydropower Oversight: The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act led by Sen. Steve Daines, requiring annual FERC reporting on relicensing status. Local Agriculture Relief: USDA designated drought disaster areas including Fergus and Phillips counties, unlocking emergency FSA loans for producers. Elections & Dark Money: A Reuters report says Montana voters may consider a ballot initiative to bar corporate election spending, setting up a potential Supreme Court showdown. Data Center Backlash: A Montana Free Press-Rutgers poll finds nearly 3/4 of voters oppose new data centers, with energy costs and enforcement concerns driving opposition. Business Leadership Move: Pharos Brands named Stephane Cantin CFO and COO, adding senior spirits-industry leadership as it expands in the Delta-9 THC beverage market.

Energy & Costs: GasBuddy reports the lowest Broadwater County premium price at $4.88 for the week ending Sept. 5, while Montana’s average premium rose to $5.05; Sweet Grass diesel hit $5.54 and Custer midgrade dipped to $4.48. Elections & Money in Politics: A Reuters report says Montana voters will decide this November on a ballot initiative to bar corporations from spending on elections, a test of a strategy meant to sidestep Citizens United. AI Data Centers vs. Montana Communities: A Montana Free Press-Rutgers Eagleton poll finds nearly 75% of registered voters oppose new data centers locally, as NorthWestern Energy faces PSC scrutiny over green-power and power-supply plans. Power & Renewables: NorthWestern Energy filed with the Montana PSC for a voluntary Green Power Program with Missoula and Bozeman, designed so only participants pay. Agriculture & Food Safety: USDA announced a Stand-Up Program to help states launch or expand state meat inspection programs, aiming to cut startup barriers for smaller processors. Workforce & Mining Education: U.S. officials toured Montana Tech’s Underground Mine Education Center as part of the PROSPECT initiative to expand the mining workforce. Public Lands & Forestry: Congressman Ryan Zinke is set to introduce “A River Runs Through It Act,” built by local communities to support forest restoration and hazardous-fuels reduction in the Seeley-Swan and Blackfoot Valleys. Safety on the Road: A Gallatin County crash led to cannabis DUI charges, highlighting Montana’s THC impairment standard and enforcement indicators.

Healthcare & Cost Relief: The White House says it will issue $500 Obamacare overcharge refunds to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Montana, tied to federal exchange “user fees” that it says exceeded what was needed. Montana Politics & Elections: A Montana ballot fight is heating up: Initiative 194 would bar corporate “dark money” from election spending, while a separate judges initiative would push for nonpartisan court elections. Energy & Local Power: NorthWestern Energy and Montana cities/counties (including Missoula and Bozeman) filed for a Green Power Program with the Montana Public Service Commission, aiming for voluntary renewable support with costs limited to participants. Labor & Mining: Steelworkers are negotiating with Sibanye-Stillwater after 12 days on strike at Montana operations, with contract talks focused on what a deal could look like for members. Food & Ranching: A Montana rancher-backed effort is described as the first federally inspected nonprofit meat plant for food banks, using donated cattle that might otherwise be sold below cost. Public Safety & Wildlife: Montana’s grizzly-bear management remains in the spotlight after reports of increased killings tied to Alberta’s responder program and a separate Montana grizzly attack update. Business Growth: Univision Computers, a managed IT provider serving Montana and nearby states, was named to the 2026 Inc. 5000 list.

Road Safety: Montana saw a 22% jump in road fatalities during the “100 deadliest days of summer,” with 66 deaths this year versus 54 last year, and investigators pointing to impaired driving, seatbelts, and speed—plus a large share of out-of-state drivers in fatal crashes. Energy & Costs: NorthWestern Energy says its electric Supply Rate will drop Oct. 1, cutting a typical Montana residential bill by about $8.57 (6.58%). Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports the week ending Sept. 5 included some of the lowest premium and regular prices in multiple Montana counties, with premium hitting $4.79 in Park County and regular as low as $4.14 in Missoula County. Workforce Pipeline: Great Falls hosted Worlds of Work, bringing 2,000+ students and 70 employers together for hands-on welding, first aid, and cybersecurity activities. Food Safety: The FDA escalated recalls tied to Salmonella/E. coli risk, including alfalfa sprouts sold in Montana and broccoli sprouts potentially distributed to Montana retailers. Local Business: Bozeman’s long-awaited Chick-fil-A off 19th Avenue is under construction, with an early 2027 opening targeted. Wildlife Management: Montana confirmed a grizzly bear attack near Augusta, with the area closed to public access while FWP investigates. Agriculture Policy: Montana cattle growers are split on a Trump executive order aimed at supporting ranchers, including country-of-origin labeling and predator protections. Health Policy: The White House says it will issue $500 Obamacare overcharge refunds to nearly 1 million Americans across 30 states, including Montana.