A BUSINESS
THE MONTANA SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE WANTS TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS THRIVE! HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL RESOURCES IN STARTING AND MAINTAINING YOUR BUSINESS IN MONTANA, WITH INFORMATION ON BUSINESS PLANNING, GRANTS, FINANCING, AND OTHER VARIOUS TOOLS TO KEEP YOUR BUSINESS GOING AND GROWING.
Start Business
Maintain Business
Grow Business
Small Business Resources
If you have tax related questions please contact an accountant. If you have questions about the type of entity that applies to your business, please contact a business attorney.
*Disclaimer – Content on web sites or state of Montana resources outside the control of the Secretary of State are linked from this web site. Any document, information, material, or endorsements of products or services appearing on external web sites are not sponsored nor endorsed by the Secretary of State’s office. The Secretary of State’s office disavows legal responsibility for what a user may find on another site or for personal opinions that may be found on another web site link.
Since 1931, the Montana Chamber of Commerce has championed economic development and a favorable business environment in the Treasure State. For our members, we promote legislation that supports you as a small, medium or large business owner. We also offer programs, services and action to educate members, improve their businesses and accelerate change. We encourage businesses of any size to join our ranks to strengthen our voice and yours.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses.
This program is a competitive grant designed to support targeted technical assistance, training and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas which will employ 50 or fewer new employees and has less than $1 million in gross revenue.
The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) helps small businesses in their pursuit of health and human services-related contracts.
The Montana Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC) certified Business Consultants offer free one-on-one business advising to entrepreneurs statewide. The SBDC Lead Center is located at the Montana Department of Commerce in Helena and supports ten centers, each hosted by economic development and higher education institutions.
VA Small and Veteran Business Programs implement the requirements to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of small and Veteran business concerns.
Resources for starting and growing your business (PDF Guide).
Learn how to write a business plan quickly and efficiently from the SBA.
Information and forms to claim your business tax credits from the IRS.
Montana has several tax credits for both individuals and businesses.
Is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, with more than 10,000 volunteers in 300 chapters. As a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs through mentoring, workshops and educational resources since 1964.
This organization’s primary purpose is stabilizing businesses and encouraging growth of business in Southeastern Montana.
Big Sky Finance can help Montana businesses finance commercial real estate and large pieces of equipment utilizing the SBA 504 loan program. The program offers long term, fixed rate financing with as little as 10% down.
Building community and economic capital in Central Montana. We provide the tools and resources you need to start or expand your business.
The Montana Business Assistance Connection (MBAC) was created with the expressed purpose of improving the economy and livability of Lewis and Clark, Broadwater, and Meagher counties. We help businesses start up, improve, expand, relocate or transition to new ownership.
MMEC is a statewide manufacturing outreach and assistance center that helps manufacturers succeed by assessing their operations and providing insight and solutions to help them grow, innovate and enhance their businesses.
The SBDC National Information Clearing house serves the Small Business Development Center Network and America’s small business community provides help writing a business plan.
Locations for the Small Business Development Center Network.
Working to improve the quality of life and economic prosperity for those who live work and play in our region.
The Small Business Administration provides the basics to assist new business on bonding requirements and best practices.
**Bonding and Insurance requirements may also be needed for your business, and you should contact an insurance agent for information to assist you. Sometimes confused with insurance, bonding helps ensure that the job you’ve been hired to do is performed and that the customer is protected against losses from theft or damage done by your employees. The most common businesses that bond employees are general contractors, temporary personnel agencies, janitorial companies and companies with government contracts.
The Balance Small Business provides 101 ideas to market your small business.
Marketing your Small Business for Dummies Cheat Sheet. Being smart with marketing ensures the success of your business by attracting more customers, and keeping them coming back.
Your marketing plan is key to growing your business. Learn how to utilize the best marketing strategies with a template from the US Small business Administration.
Everything you need to sell your products and market your business online.
Resources on marketing your business and Montana Brand Development.
