Helena, Montana – Montana has earned another national recognition for its business climate, with a new study ranking the state among the top places in the country for entrepreneurs looking to launch a company.
Governor Greg Gianforte announced that Montana was ranked the 12th best state in America to start a business in 2026, according to a recent report released by WalletHub. The ranking places Montana just outside the top 10 and highlights the state’s continued efforts to attract investment, encourage entrepreneurship, and create economic opportunities.
The study compared all 50 states using 25 different measures grouped into three major categories: business environment, access to resources, and business costs. Researchers examined factors such as startup activity, access to funding, cost of living, and other indicators that can influence the success of new businesses.
Montana finished among the nation’s highest-ranked states, trailing only Florida, Utah, Texas, Oklahoma, Idaho, Mississippi, Georgia, Indiana, Nevada, and California.
State Leaders Highlight Business Growth
Governor Gianforte said the ranking reflects ongoing efforts to make Montana an attractive place for businesses of all sizes.
“Montana is open for business,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Since taking office, we’ve removed burdensome regulations, cut taxes, strengthened our workforce, and increased the supply of affordable housing to support the businesses choosing to invest in Montana and create more good-paying jobs.”
Since taking office, Gianforte has promoted policies aimed at improving the state’s business environment. Among those efforts are simplifying Montana’s income tax system from seven brackets to two, providing tax relief for residents, securing property tax reductions, and increasing the availability of workforce housing.
Supporters of those initiatives argue that lower costs and a more predictable regulatory environment have helped attract companies and encourage business expansion throughout the state.
Todd O’Hair, president and chief executive officer of the Montana Chamber of Commerce, praised the state’s efforts to support economic growth.
“The Montana Chamber of Commerce is proud to support Governor Gianforte’s priorities that support Montana businesses and attract new investment to the Treasure State. Businesses are choosing to invest in Montana and create jobs that strengthen local economies and expand opportunities for communities across our state,” said O’Hair.
Continued Recognition For Montana
The latest ranking is not the first time Montana has received national attention for its business climate.
Last year, Governor Gianforte announced that Entrepreneur Media ranked Montana as the best state in the nation for business startups. More recently, WalletHub also recognized Bozeman as the fourth-best small city in America for starting a business.
State officials say those rankings demonstrate growing confidence in Montana’s economy and its ability to attract entrepreneurs, investors, and employers.
As communities across the state continue to see new business activity and investment, leaders hope the latest recognition will encourage even more entrepreneurs to consider Montana as a place to launch and grow their companies. Supporters believe the combination of economic reforms, workforce development efforts, and housing initiatives will help the state remain competitive as it seeks to attract future business growth and job creation.
