09/16/2024
Fact No. 1: Bridger Aerospace was built in Montana, operates out of Montana and employs hundreds of Montanans, with every full-time employee being a shareholder/owner. These allegations against Tim Sheehy and Bridger Aerospace are an attempt to discredit the people who are working hard to build Bridger Aerospace.
Fact No. 2: Taxpayers have no obligation or responsibility for the $160 million dollar bond in Gallatin County related to Bridger Aerospace. This is in the public record and confirmed in a statement from Gallatin County “…to clarify, Gallatin County has no liability exposure related to Bridger Aerospace’s operations.”
Fact No. 3: Tim’s compensation associated with Bridger Aerospace is a matter of public record. Tim also built and successfully sold a prior venture. Over the past three years, Tim and Carmen Sheehy have invested millions of their own money into Bridger Aerospace. The Sheehys are committed to giving back too, having donated millions more to charities, including a major commitment to Bozeman Health.
And here is a fact we can all agree on: High-paying jobs for Montanans are essential to protect and support our Montana communities. We need to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work and dedication shown by all who take a chance on themselves and their ideas to build something of lasting value for their families and for all Montanans.
One last question: Given the obvious timing of these attacks on Tim Sheehy and Bridger Aerospace, why would any business owner ever want to run for public office? If we don’t respond to false or misleading attacks that assault the businesses and employees of a political candidate, we are setting a dangerous precedent that will deter business owners associated with any political party from running for office because they will make a simple calculation; should I risk harm to my employees and the livelihood of my company in order to serve my state?
Being a job creator is not a cause for public vilification, but rather a feat that should be celebrated. Bridger Aerospace has built careers, supported families, and enabled home purchases through high-paying jobs in our state. We don’t see this issue as political; the signatories of this letter represent concerned Montana business owners from all aspects of the political spectrum. We not only recognize but we celebrate Montana businesses, the risk takers who create them, the employees who operate them and the families and communities that depend on them.
