HAVRE, MT - Governor Greg Gianforte yesterday continued his 56 county tour in Hill and Blaine counties, celebrating the revitalization of Montana’s main streets.

“Across Montana, community members, job creators, and entrepreneurs share the common goal to add vibrancy to their community and economy,” Gov. Gianforte said. “We’re grateful to be able to come alongside our rural communities to support revitalization that best fits their needs and to enhance quality of life for all Montanans.”

In a roundtable discussion in Havre at the Beaver Creek Perk coffee shop, the governor joined community leaders to highlight a recent $1.25 million investment from the Montana Department of Commerce.

Through the agency’s Pilot Community Tourism Grant Program, seven communities received funding for pilot projects to increase economic vibrancy and tourism appeal, enhance destination resiliency, and diversify tourism-related assets and infrastructure.

Visiting with representatives from a variety of industries, the governor heard of the priority for Havre community members to collaborate on the best use of the funding to boost priorities such as culture, arts, recreation, and business.

Speaking to the impact of the funding, Havre Mayor Doug Kaercher added, “To be able to put these highlights out to the public for a reason to come here and a reason to stay is absolutely wonderful.”

Traveling to Blaine County, the governor stopped by Milk River Ag to visit with owners and partners on the new business investment in Chinook.

Purchasing the storefront two years ago, lifelong Montanans Ryan Jensen and his wife Linae started the business to respond to the needs of northern Montana farmers and ranchers for specialized seed and feed.

At the shop, the governor also heard from Dr. Brock Aiton of Aiton Veterinary Service on the recent opening of their brick-and-mortar clinic due to increasing demand for services for cattle as well as companion animals.

To improve Montana’s business climate, the governor has reformed the business equipment tax to ease the burden on small business owners, made Montana’s capital gains tax rates the fourth lowest in the nation, and promoted trades education to build a stronger workforce.