Rural Business Roundtables
Rural Business Roundtables are hosted by the University of Montana's Rural Entrepreneurship and Leadership Co-Lab (REAL Co-Lab). The focus is to bring together Montana business owners and experts to explore the impacts of policy shifts on rural economies.
We invite you to join any upcoming Rural Business Roundtables by registering on our events webpage.
Feb. 2026: Tariffs & Trade Part Two
Attendee Insights
Important Takeaways
- Increased Input Cost
In the MWTC survey, Montana business owners indicated that a major pain point of navigating the changing tariff landscape was spending additional time adjusting to the changes instead of running and growing the day-to-day operations of their businesses. - Decreased Productivity
Miranda-Freer shared that the frequent federal changes cause partners in the global supply chain to gradually lose trust in US businesses, including those from Montana, leading to a loss of global market share. Almy, who explored manufacturing in the U.S. and determined he cannot do so, expressed concern for his manufacturing suppliers in Taiwan and how the U.S. tariffs are negatively affecting that business relationship. - Losing Market Share
With the uncertainty around the supply chain and the cost of goods, some business owners are making the difficult decision to lay-off employees to protect the capital they do have in case an unexpected tariff bill arrives, Miranda-Freer notes. Montana has yet to see the full impact of this. - Reduction in Force
With the uncertainty around the supply chain and the cost of goods, some business owners are making the difficult decision to lay-off employees to protect the capital they do have in case an unexpected tariff bill arrives, Miranda-Freer notes. Montana has yet to see the full impact of this.
Panel Recommendations to Support Rural Communities:
Enhance Tariff Stability and Predictability
Business owners can work to adjust to increased tax and tariffs, but only if they know what is coming.
Perspectives from Rural Business Leaders:
Panelists discussed the increased time and energy in order to meet the changing trade requirements. They also mentioned the expense of doing business abroad the sudden increases that are affecting their business. Some themes of treating their business suppliers abroad without respect.
Read the full PDF report here.
April 2025: Tariffs + Montana World Trade Center
Attendee Insights
Important Takeaways
- Global Trade Volatility:
Montana’s economy is highly vulnerable to international trade disruptions. With over 16 executive orders affecting trade, businesses face unpredictable tariffs—especially with Canada, which accounts for over 94% of Montana’s imports. These changes have led to permanent market losses and strained relationships. - Local Business Challenges:
Rural businesses struggle with planning due to unstable federal programs and shifting regulations. Concerns include Medicaid coverage, cybersecurity mandates, daycare subsidies, and land management policies. These uncertainties hinder investment and daily operations. - Economic Impacts on Communities:
Tourism-dependent towns like Eureka are experiencing declines due to reduced Canadian travel and forest service unpredictability. Business owners report difficulty maintaining services and workforce participation without reliable federal support.
Panel Recommendations to Support Rural Communities:
- Ensure predictability in trade, regulation, and federal programs.
- Stabilize and sustain funding for essential services like daycare and Medicaid.
- Improve communication between policymakers and rural stakeholders.
- Support long-term planning through consistent policy frameworks.
Perspectives from Rural Business Leaders:
Panelists emphasized the need for reliable systems to support rural entrepreneurship. Without stability, businesses cannot confidently invest or grow. Voices from Eureka, Lewistown, and Missoula highlighted the urgency of addressing these challenges to preserve Montana’s rural vitality.
Read the full PDF report here.