Governor visits Rocky Mountain Twist on 56 County Tour
Gov. Greg Gianforte stopped by Rocky Mountain Twist last Wednesday as part of his 56 County Tour. (Courtesy photo)
Traveling to Lake County on his fifth annual 56 County Tour, Gov. Greg Gianforte visited Rocky Mountain Twist last Wednesday, June 18.
Founded in 2001 in Ronan, Rocky Mountain Twist manufactures custom drill bits in its 300,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and is considered an industry leader in design, engineering, and manufacturing of high-performance cutting tools.
President Mick Cheff escorted the governor through the facility to learn about the business. With nearly 300 employees, Rocky Mountain Twist manufactures drill bits for retail companies such as Kobalt and Spyder, and industrial products for the aerospace industry to fulfill contacts with companies like Boeing and Lockheed-Martin.
“Working with our partners in the Legislature this session, we continued our commonsense approach to ensuring Montana remains the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” Gov. Gianforte said in his public comments.
“As we’re out on the road for the 56 County Tour, it’s great to thank the legislators, business owners, and hardworking Montanans preserving our way of life and supporting our communities.”
He also visited Flathead Electric to highlight the co-op and sign House Bill 226. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Courtenay Sprunger, R-Kalispell, establishes the Legal Employment and Government Accountability law to require employer verification for lawful employment in Montana.
In Missoula County, the governor joined the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to highlight Montana’s wildfire preparedness and response efforts and unveil a new, redesigned 2.0 wildland fire engine. The latest set of engines will bolster the department’s County Co-op Program to support rural, volunteer and county fire departments across the state.
He also signed into law House Bill 883, authorizing a $60 million investment to bolster the state’s ability to fight fires. Approximately $800,000 of the additional funding was allocated to purchase and build equipment to be distributed through the County Co-op Program, like the new engines.