Manufacturing in Montana

10/14/2026

Thank you Kalispell Chamber of Commerce for all you do to promote manufacturing in the Flathead Valley during Manufacturing Month! Your facility tours and Symposium are becoming an annual higlight. And thanks for inviting MMEC to take part!

10/14/2026

DOC Launches Revamped Automation Financing Program 📣

The Montana Department of Commerce (DOC) offers an Automation Financing Program, which helps Montana manufacturers invest in equipment, technology, and process improvements that increase efficiency, productivity, capacity, and long-term competitiveness.

DOC recently revised the program into a Direct Lend component and a Collateral Support component. Direct Lend applications are now open and provide loans of up to $100,000 for equipment purchases, software implementation, or other process improvements. The Collateral Support program application window opens December 1.

🔗 View the full program guidelines: https://commerce.mt.gov/Business/Business-Assistance/Montana-Automation-Financing-Program/

🔗 Find your regional MMEC Business Advisor: https://www.montana.edu/mmec/about/expertise.html

The Montana Automation Financing Program Suite has two components: the Collateral Support Program and the Direct Loan Program.

10/13/2026

How are manufacturers approaching AI? 💭

A new study from the Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence finds that while interest in AI is growing, most manufacturers are still in the early stages of adoption. Only 10% of manufacturers report that AI has been integrated into day-to-day operations, and 60% identify lack of internal expertise as a barrier to adoption. The findings highlight the importance of practical, low-risk approaches that connect emerging technology to measurable business outcomes.

🔗 Read the National AI Strategic Assessment (downloadable PDF):https://mfgfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AI_Readiness_Survey_Analysis-Assessment.pdf

10/12/2026

Achieving CMMC certification is only the beginning! 🖥️

Join Core Business Solutions on Thursday, October 15, from 2–3 p.m. EST for a webinar on what ongoing CMMC compliance really looks like.

Learn about monitoring, evidence maintenance, change management, preparing for future reassessments, and how to avoid falling out of compliance over time.

🔗 Register Now: https://corebusinesssolutions.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Oh71wHb-QNWcjwr2sI3X-A #/registration

10/12/2026

Manufacturing Month events continue across the state! Thanks Rocky Mountain Twist for hosting students from Charlo.

10/09/2026

Missed the Smart Manufacturing Roadshow? 🛣️

You can still learn more about new manufacturing technologies! Connect with MMEC Smart Manufacturing specialists Lane Gobbs or Brian Sullivan, or reach out to your local MMEC Business Advisor.

📩 Lane Gobbs: [email protected]
📩 Brian Sullivan: [email protected]

🔗Contact your local MMEC Business Advisor: https://www.montana.edu/mmec/about/expertise.html

10/08/2026

Registration Is Open for the 2027 Made in Montana Show! 🛍️

The 2027 Made in Montana Trade Show for Food and Gifts is coming to the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds in Helena April 15–17, 2027.

This event offers member businesses a unique selling opportunity, featuring both a wholesale day and a public retail day.

🔗Apply to be an exhibitor: https://commerce.mt.gov/Business/Programs-and-Services/Made-in-Montana/Tradeshow/
✅ Exhibitors will be selected in November

Not yet a Made in Montana member? Learn how your business can benefit from the program: https://commerce.mt.gov/Business/Programs-and-Services/Made-in-Montana/

Discover authentic Made in Montana products at the Made in Montana Trade Show, located at the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds at 98 West Custer Ave. in Helena.   

10/07/2026

Don't miss your opportunity to submit an exhibitor application for the next Made in Montana show!

The exhibitor application for the 2027 Made in Montana Trade Show is now open! Apply online from Oct. 1-31, 2026.

Current Made in Montana members who want to grow their business through the wholesale market are encouraged to submit a trade show exhibitor application.

Learn more about the Made in Montana Trade Show here https://tinyurl.com/mimtradeshow

📸: Montana Department of Commerce

10/07/2026

New ISO 9001:2026 Standard Launched 🚀

On September 16, ISO 9001:2026 officially launched and will replace the current ISO 9001:2015 standard.

ISO 9001 is a globally recognized quality management standard used by organizations in 189 countries. The latest updates are designed to address modern business needs and stakeholder expectations.

🔎 Learn more on the ISO website: https://www.iso.org/standard/9001?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=%F0%9F%94%9C%20Join%20the%20live%20launch%20of%20ISO%E2%80%AF9001%3A2026%20on%2016%20September&utm_campaign=ISO9001launch%20livestream%20invite%20to%20managmt-list%20qms&vgo_ee=UPkfqwl3vrRJawSdCbMgxFA3jnqE0cht9D%2F6K6M9bDsEGA%2BhYjI%3D%3A0w%2FMzNWByqxdZjj%2BxrDmErLugtIRdtyR
💻 Attend an informative webinar on October 22: https://corebusinesssolutions.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YgV-3rBVQuW7noHTzQUiIQ #/registration
🤝 Contact your MMEC Business Advisor for more information: https://www.montana.edu/mmec/about/expertise.html

10/06/2026

We're looking forward to this manufacturing event in the Flathead Valley!

Don’t miss the 2026 Flathead Manufacturing Symposium on Tues., Oct. 13, from 8-11 a.m. at Flathead Valley Community College, hosted by the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce’s Manufacturing Alliance.

Purchase tickets: https://bit.ly/4y5nY0z

The symposium's jam-packed agenda includes important information about apprenticeship, a session on AI & Automation by Manufacturing in Montana, the FVCC Trades Institute, and more!