This year, most of the company’s messages are focused on hiring new employees and ideas on how to retain those that businesses already have.

Like many other small businesses in the Bitterroot Valley and beyond, Evans is having a hard time finding new employees to work at his family-owned Hamilton business. With employee numbers down, he’s been forced to close his store earlier than normal.

“That’s unfortunate for us,” Evans said. “It’s our busiest season. It usually helps us pay the bills for the rest of the year.”

Evans is not alone.