TOWNSEND, MT — Continuing his fourth 56 County Tour as governor, Governor Greg Gianforte on Oct 17th, visited the Townsend Mercantile to spotlight the women-owned business.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy for the good-paying jobs they create and the investment they make in our communities,” Gov. Gianforte said. “It’s great to spotlight the hard work of three Montana women who are adding vibrancy to Townsend and showcasing the best of Montana products.”

Opening in June, the Townsend Mercantile is home to three Montana merchants: Little Creek Feed, J Rock Jewelry, and C Hangin’ C Mercantile and Creamery.

Touring the shops and visiting with the owners, the governor heard more about the investment and the quality Montana products for sale on Townsend’s Main Street.

Talking with the Owner Caroline Nelson of Little Creek Feed, a sheep and cattle operation founded in 2017, the governor heard more about how the three female business owners came up with the idea to buy the building that was once home to Rocky Mountain Supply.

“We raise all this great food, so we thought what if we made a combination feed store and food store. And what if we brought in other local foods and we source as much as we could from right around us? And then Cassie, Jess, and I — Cassie is the owner of C Hangin’ C Mercantile, and Jess of J Rock Jewelry — our small businesses were all homeless at the time so we thought maybe if we all work together, we could afford this space,” Nelson said.

Creating the best environment for business and more opportunities for Montanans is a top priority for Gov. Gianforte.

Thanks to the governor's pro-business, pro-jobs policies, more Montanans are working now more than ever before, Montana ranks as a top state in the nation for job and wage growth, and a record number of businesses have been created in each year since the governor took office.

To learn more about Little Creek Feed, J Rock Jewelry, and C Hangin’ C mercantile see here, here, and here.