In 2022, a total of 53,655 new businesses were established according to the Montana business Economic Report, issued by Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen. Jacobsen also reported that 5,400 new businesses registered during the month of May.

New businesses created within the SOS Business Filing Portal saw a 7.4% increase from 2021. Also in 2022, the report shows 196,699 businesses renewed their filings with the Secretary of State — 20,379 more renewals than the previous year.

In contrast, the number of new trademarks registered in Montana declined by about 70, from 435 trademarks in 2021 to 365 trademarks in 2022.

The Secretary of announced that in 2024 Annual Report filing fees will be waived for all Montana businesses, which will  result in millions of dollars in savings for Montana businesses.

Secretary Jacobsen was recently recognized by the Mountain States Policy Center (MSPC) for her efforts in reducing red tape for Montana businesses. The MSPC awarded Secretary Jacobsen with the “Elevation Award,” which is the highest honor of the organization. It is “given to individual(s) who are committed to advancing and elevating free market principles and ideas. It is presented to a top innovator, business leader, or elected official in Idaho, Montana, and Washington,” according to the MSPC website.