Montana Selected as First Western IP Engagement Office

Recognized for tech, workforce, and defense development

Governor's Office

HELENA, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) selected Montana as the site for a new USPTO Community Engagement Office, the first dedicated office of its kind in the western United States.

"Today's announcement rightfully recognizes Montana's growing advanced manufacturing and tech sectors," Gov. Gianforte said. "This new USPTO office will play a strategic role in expanding opportunity for all Montanans, providing innovators with the tools to protect their inventions and grow their operations, while ensuring Montana remains at the cutting edge of technology, security, and economic growth. It also closely aligns with our work through the 406 JOBS Initiative to better prepare our workforce for jobs of the future."

Establishing a permanent, physical USPTO presence in Montana ensures that inventors, innovators, and entrepreneurs across the region have direct connection to federal intellectual property (IP) resources. A local engagement office provides personalized support, IP education, and guidance tailored to Montana's technology ecosystem.

In September, Gov. Gianforte sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and USPTO Under Secretary John Squires to recommend Montana as a possible site. U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, The Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance, Montana Chamber of Commerce, the Montana Retail Association, the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, and Montana State University also advocated for the U.S. Department of Commerce to select Montana.

"Montana's place as a leader in technology innovation is further solidified with the announcement of the new Patent and Trademark Community Outreach Office coming to Bozeman," Senator Steve Daines said. "Governor Gianforte's leadership and vision combined with Montana's exceptional workforce made this announcement possible."

"Thanks to the gritty, hardworking spirit of our talented people, Montana is a national leader for technological innovation and the perfect place for this new office," Senator Tim Sheehy said. "With the Trump Administration's visionary leadership and strong support, this partnership will create high-paying Montana jobs, support Montana businesses, and strengthen Montana communities. The future is bright, and I know Montana will continue leading from the front to secure America's technological and economic dominance in the 21st century."

The new USPTO office helps lay the groundwork for Montana companies to contribute meaningfully to national defense technology supply chains under strong IP protection.

Earlier this year, the federal Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) announced that Montana will be home to a DIU OnRamp Program, creating new pathways for local dual-use and commercial technology firms to engage with defense industry customers. Additionally, Montana State University opened a new Quantum Collaborative Research and Education (QCORE) facility, supported by a $26.7 million U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory grant, one of only a handful of locations in the world with two types of quantum computing, creating state-of-the-art opportunities for Montana students.

In August, the governor joined Montana Department of Labor & Industry Commissioner Sarah Swanson to launch 406 JOBS, which stands for Four Pathways to Employment, Zero Barriers to Work, and Six High Demand Sectors. Advanced manufacturing and computing is one of six sectors critical to Montana's economic future.

"The launch of a USPTO Community Engagement Office here underscores the promise of the 406 JOBS initiative," said Sarah Swanson, Commissioner of Labor. "By embedding federal IP infrastructure directly into Montana's growing high-tech ecosystem, especially in advanced manufacturing, photonics, quantum computing, and defense technology, we reaffirm our commitment to building high-skilled, high-wage, future-oriented jobs for Montanans across the state. This combination with 406 JOBS creates sustainable career pipelines from technician and apprentice roles through advanced manufacturing and engineering."

The letter from the governor may be viewed here .

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