Settings part of 56 county Peaks to Plains Tour

Settings by All Things Montana in Whitehall recently had the honor of being a stop on the U.S. Small Business Administration "Peaks to Plains Business Resiliency Tour".

The seven-day statewide tour highlighted the importance of supporting small businesses during the holidays.

SBA Montana Director Brent Donnelly visited a business in each of Montana's 56 counties between December 10 and December 18.

"When local small businesses succeed, they create jobs for families, infuse new revenues into hometown economies, and preserve the unique identities of our communities," Donnelly said. "The SBA has played a pivotal role in supporting small businesses this year amidst the pandemic, but no amount of aid compares to customers in stores or families in restaurants. By visiting businesses in each of Montana's 56 counties this week, my goal is to highlight and encourage small business owners while also challenging Montanans to make a point of shopping small and supporting local this holiday season."

Settings owner Pamela Polachi said someone recommended her business for the tour and it felt amazing to be highlighted. She also discussed how local residents have really made an effort to shop local.

"My community has been amazing. I see people come in here and really try to shop local when it might be easier to go to a big store. People are making a point to shop small and that's what it's all about. That is why we will still be here," she said.

Small businesses makeup 99.3 percent of Montana's businesses and employ more than 245,000 people. For more information, view the 2020 Montana Small Business Profile online at https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/04143117/2020-Small-Business-Economic-Profile-MT.pdf.