Rep. Steve Daines Tours Bozeman Businesses, Talks About Montana’s Future Economy

On Saturday, Congressman Steve Daines met with Bozeman businesses to talk about future economic opportunities.

NBC Montana reported that Daines toured Bozeman’s Mystery Ranch Backpacks, a business in which he feels a special connection with since he was a kid:

"I bought it in the 70s in Bozeman," Daines said. "It became my book bag at Montana State University, and I took it to the top of Granite Peak, Montana...and the Grand Teton."

Daines and members of the group Business for Montana's Outdoors’ discussion was focused on economic and public lands issues, to business owners in Montana.

"Montana is a special place," Daines said. "We have access to so many public lands in our great state, and this is where we can have an intersection between our way of life and the outdoors and also economic opportunity and growth."

NBC Montana said a recent Business for Montana's Outdoors study found that 70 percent of businesses say the "Montana outdoor lifestyle" is a factor in deciding to locate or expand their business in Montana. 89 percent say national parks, forests, and wildlife areas are an essential part of Montana's economy.