Welcome to the Ruby Valley

You're about to enter the virtual world of the Ruby Valley located in Southwestern Montana.  The Ruby Valley is nestled between two primary mountain ranges, the Tobacco Roots and the Ruby, with the McCarty, Greenhorn and Brazil ranges completing the outline of our gem.  Sheridan, Twin Bridges are the primary business centers with banking and postal service as well as a variety of restaurants and stores.  The smaller towns of Silver Star, Alder and Laurin have a grocery store, restaurant, gas station, tavern or other commercial enterprises.  Visitors find a very friendly, helpful atmosphere in all of our towns and each town has unique qualities and special stories.  Ranching has been the primary economic resource for over 100 years.  Fishing and hunting services are growing quickly as the blue ribbon trout fishing and mountain game attract visitors wishing to escape the urban rumpus.  With the installation of broadband systems, the Ruby Valley has recently attracted a few small technology related businesses.  

This site offers information typically found on a Chamber of Commerce portal - business directory, community calendar, and Chamber membership information.  However, for many of our business directory listings, there is a mini-website with photos and very detailed information about the business.  Of course, links to the member's websites are also provided.  The Community Calendar includes information for many different organizations and activities in the Ruby Valley including the Ruby Valley Conservation District, the Ruby Watershed Council, activities at Sheridan and Twin Bridges schools (excluding the sports events), art shows, well child clinics, town council and school board meetings, events at the Madison County Fairgrounds and much more.  

In addition to the typical Chamber information, we've provided some detailed historical information about the Ruby Valley organized by area, subject and time period.  The Interactive Map shows the mountains, rivers, fishing accesses, and interesting landmarks of the valley.  Click on an icon for information about the location.  The Agricultural pages provide tips and resources for our ranchers. 

We have endeavored to provide a wealth of links and information for visitors to the Ruby Valley.  We know it takes awhile to get to our corner of the world and it helps to know what you'll find when you arrive.  Some of these pages are still in development but we hope that what we have provided so far will entice you to consider stopping on your way through or making the Ruby Valley your vacation destination. 

You may be one of our frequent visitors who has decided that the Ruby Valley is the place you want to be every day.  If so, please be sure to investigate the Community Profile area which has information on schools, local organizations, city services, new business and employment resources, churches, and general relocation tips.  The menu on the right column of most pages has links to our community weblogs, county website, emergency phone numbers, and other important local websites and information.  

What's Happening?

Ruby Valley Buy Local Blog

Members of the Greater Ruby Valley Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture and our communities have been working on a new Buy Local campaign and some terrific ideas are being generated at the meetings.  The next meeting will be held on March 18th at 10am at the Ruby Valley National Bank in Twin Bridges.  Sarah Clark-Miller has built a very attractive and informative Buy Local weblog for the project.  You can find it at - http://rubyvalleybuylocal.blogspot.com/, Way to go Sarah!! 

Montana Community Foundation Presentation

Sheridan Horizons is hosting a presentation by Cathy Cooney of the Montana Community Foundation at 6pm on Wednesday, March 10th at the Episcopal Hall in Sheridan.  Cathy Cooney will provide information about the Montana Community Foundation, which is an umbrella for town community foundations.  The Montana Community Foundation administers incoming contributions and manages investments and offers investment options not available to smaller pools of money. 

Core Four Business Planning Course

Montana State University Extension Service and Twin Bridges Horizons Committee will hold CORE FOUR® Business Planning Courses in March.  The classes will be held Mondays March 15, 22, 29, and April 5 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Twin Bridges School.

CORE FOUR® is designed to help people develop ideas for starting and expanding their own businesses and understand the business planning process.  Topics include developing a marketing plan, projecting cash flow, and understanding standard business operating procedures.  People with ideas for starting a new business, owners of growing businesses, struggling business owners, and those seeking business financing are encouraged to attend. 

The fee for the course is $100/per business.   Pre-registration is requested;  call Heather Puckett at 406-596-2002 or Jack Leber at 406-684-5686 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Scholarships are available to defray costs of the class.  Assistance with childcare, elder care and transportation costs are also available.

Join Us For Lunch

The Ruby Valley Chamber meets the first Tuesday of every month during the lunch hour (12-1pm).  We eat fast, talk fast and disseminate loads of information in an hour (sometimes less).  It's a great way to participate with the business community in the Ruby Valley.  If you would like to join us for lunch, please e-mail an RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at least one day in advance so we can order a lunch for you.  Lunches generally cost about $8.  Of course, you don't HAVE to eat but, if you can, it's nice to share a meal.  The location of the meetings alternates between Twin Bridges and Sheridan.  Please check the minutes of the last meeting or call Ruby Valley National Bank for the location of next month's meeting.

The next meeting will be at noon on April 6th at the Ruby Valley National Bank in Sheridan.

(Note: Please only send lunch reservations to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it because we will only check this inbox once a month.  For other inquiries, please register on this website using the Contact Us link below.)

 Do you need some help spreading the news about a local event in the Ruby Valley?  Please contact Deb McNeill at Tobacco Root Graffics  with the details.  She will need time (beginning and ending), location, description, and contact information.