Montana Business Registrations Continue Upward Trend with Nearly 6,000 August Filings

HELENA — Montana logged nearly 6,000 new business registrations in August 2025, maintaining the sustained growth pattern Western Montana News has tracked throughout the year, according to the latest Montana Business Economic Report released by the Secretary of State’s office.

The August figure of approximately 6,000 registrations represents an increase from roughly 5,200 during the same month in 2024, extending Montana’s streak of strong monthly performance that has included multiple months exceeding 6,000 filings this year.

With nearly 51,000 new business registrations filed through August, Montana remains positioned to surpass its 2024 record of 64,000 total registrations for the fourth consecutive year of growth.

Monthly Performance Pattern

The state has consistently posted strong numbers throughout 2025, with Western Montana News documenting over 6,000 registrations in January, 5,100 in February, 6,600 in March, 6,500 in May, more than 6,200 in June, and a record-breaking nearly 7,000 in July before August’s latest figures.

The sustained momentum builds on Montana’s pattern of record business formation over recent years, with each of the past four years setting new benchmarks for new business registrations.

Policy Changes Drive Growth

The registration increases have coincided with several business-friendly reforms implemented by the Secretary of State’s office:

• Registration fees cut in half for new Montana businesses
• Annual report filing fees waived for 2024 and 2025, with additional waivers planned through 2027
• Enhanced online services providing 24/7 access to filing and document retrieval
• Eliminated fees for several other business-related services

These changes have saved Montana businesses millions of dollars while streamlining the registration process.

Geographic and Sector Diversity

According to the Secretary of State’s office, the growth spans communities across Montana and includes diverse sectors ranging from outdoor tourism to technology to agriculture-based innovation.

The business registration data comes as some observers have raised questions about the composition of new filings, including whether some registrations may be connected to individuals seeking Montana residency for tax or vehicle registration benefits while maintaining primary residence elsewhere.

Western Montana News has tracked Montana’s business registration trends throughout 2025, with the sustained growth pattern indicating the state will likely exceed its previous annual record when final 2025 numbers are tallied.