Montana’s Department of Labor and Industry has opened a new permanent, state-owned facility in Helena to house two of its core regulatory programs, ending years of operating out of leased space spread across multiple locations in the capital city. Governor Greg Gianforte announced the opening alongside Labor Commissioner Sarah Swanson.

What the Facility Houses

The new building consolidates the department’s Weights and Measures program and its Building Codes program under one roof. The Weights and Measures program handles testing and certification of fuel pumps, commercial scales, and other measuring devices used in commerce across the state. The Building Codes program manages building and safety inspections under Montana’s adopted codes.

Both programs had previously operated out of leased space at various Helena addresses. Consolidating them into a single, state-owned structure is expected to reduce recurring rental costs and eliminate expenses tied to periodic relocations.

“By giving these programs a permanent home, we’re reducing long-term costs and avoiding future relocation expenses while supporting this important work,” Gianforte said.

Apprenticeship Programs Built Into the Facility

Beyond its role as an administrative and inspection hub, the facility has served as a hands-on training ground. Seven new apprenticeship programs have been established through the Building Codes and Weights and Measures programs, and more than 20 apprentices have already begun or completed training there.

In a practical twist, apprentices gained experience in part by conducting actual inspections of the facility itself during its buildout — learning the trade while contributing directly to the project. The occupations covered by these apprenticeships represent more than 65 percent of projected job openings in Montana over the next decade, according to the department.

Commissioner Swanson said the new location gives the department a reliable foundation. “This facility gives us a stable, long-term base of operations to support state and local partners for years to come,” she said.

Ties to Gianforte’s Workforce Agenda

The facility opening is part of Governor Gianforte’s broader 406 JOBS initiative, which has focused on expanding apprenticeship and workforce development opportunities in Montana. The administration has promoted trades-based training as a pathway to careers that do not require a four-year college degree, arguing that the state’s labor market increasingly demands workers in skilled occupations.

The apprenticeship component built into the Helena facility reflects that emphasis — using a state construction and operations project as a direct vehicle for workforce training rather than treating the two goals separately.

Montana’s general fund revenue has outpaced projections through fiscal year 2026, giving the state some financial flexibility for capital investments and longer-term property commitments of this kind. Owning rather than leasing workspace reduces exposure to rent increases and lease renewals, a factor the governor cited in announcing the project.

What’s Next

With the building now operational, both the Weights and Measures and Building Codes programs are expected to expand their training capacity. The department has not announced a specific target for additional apprentices, but the infrastructure is now in place to scale the programs beyond the initial cohort of 20.

The facility also positions the department to more consistently serve local governments and industry partners who rely on weights-and-measures certification and building inspection services — work that directly affects businesses ranging from gas stations to large commercial construction projects.

For the Gianforte administration, the opening represents a tangible deliverable on its workforce and fiscal-responsibility messaging ahead of the November 2026 general election. Reducing state reliance on commercial leases while simultaneously standing up new apprenticeship pipelines allows the governor to point to both cost management and job creation from a single project — a combination that fits neatly into the 406 JOBS framework his office has been promoting since early in his tenure.