How many small businesses are in Montana?

Montana has approximately 117,000 small businesses, representing 99.3 percent of all businesses in the state. They employ 236,000 workers — 53.1 percent of Montana's private workforce. Source: SBA Office of Advocacy, 2024 Small Business Profile.

How active is SBA 7(a) lending in Montana?

Montana received 312 SBA 7(a) loan approvals in FY2024, totaling $127 million. The average loan size was approximately $408,000. Source: SBA FOIA loan dataset, FY2024 aggregate.

Does Montana have a commercial financing disclosure law?

No. Montana has not enacted a statewide commercial financing disclosure law as of 2026.

What financing products work best for Montana small businesses?

Agricultural businesses use equipment financing and seasonal working capital. Tourism and outdoor recreation businesses use revenue-based financing. Construction businesses use equipment financing and SBA 7(a). The right product depends on your industry and revenue.

Is ClearValue Lending available in Montana?

Yes. ClearValue Lending routes Montana SMB applicants to lender partners operating across Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls, and statewide. We are a funding platform, not a lender or broker.

What are typical eligibility minimums for Montana SMB financing?

SBA 7(a) typically requires 2+ years in business, 650+ FICO, and $150,000+ annual revenue. Revenue-based financing may be available with 500+ FICO, 6+ months in business, and $10,000+ monthly revenue. All financing is subject to lender underwriting.

Small Business Loans in Montana

Montana has 117,000 small businesses employing 236,000 workers — 53.1 percent of the state's private workforce — one of the highest small business employment shares in the country. In FY2024, Montana small businesses received 312 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $127 million, with an average loan size of approximately $408,000. Montana's SMB economy is defined by its geography: agriculture and ranching, outdoor tourism (Glacier National Park, Yellowstone border, Big Sky skiing), and a growing remote-work professional class are the dominant economic forces.