Livingston, Montana

$21.5 Million Available Through New Infrastructure Program 

Communities and school districts impacted by natural resource development can now apply for a portion of $21.5 million in funds for needed infrastructure investments. The Delivering Local Assistance Program was created as part of a $400 million infrastructure investment package passed by the 2019 Legislature and signed by Governor Bullock. 

Delivering Local Assistance focuses grant dollars to local governments and school districts for a range of infrastructure projects including water, sewer, bridge, public safety, government administration and schools.

The Community Development Division at the Montana Department of Commerce is administering the new infrastructure program. Interested communities and school districts can apply for grant funds until Sept. 30, 2019. Awards will be made in the fall of 2019.

Indian Country Grant Cycles Open Indian Equity Fund Grants, Native American Business Advisor Grants, and Tribal Business Planning Grants are all accepting applications. Learn more about each funding opportunity and how to apply here.

Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund Application Deadline  Quarterly Job Creation applications for the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund grant program are due July 10. In addition, the BSTF Program will be completing the Administrative Rules (ARM) Process to revise the BSTF Guidelines for the implementation of HB19. Public Comments on the revised guidelines are due by July 19, 2019.

Tourism Grant Program Opens The Tourism Grant Program is pleased to announce the annual application cycle for tourism and recreation projects is now open! The Tourism Grant Program awards funds to projects that strengthen Montana’s economy through the development and enhancement of the State’s tourism and recreation industry.  Learn more about Tourism Grants during webinars on July 9 or July 18. More information is available here.

EDA Announces Opportunity Zone Investment Priority  The U.S. Economic Development Administration has announced that Opportunity Zones are now an Investment Priority for EDA funds. According to its press release, "EDA has invested close to $30 million in 40 projects in designated Opportunity Zones to help communities and regions across the country build the capacity for economic development." Learn more here.

2019 Legislative Changes to Note

• The Montana Board of Research and Commercialization Program began operations in 2000 and the MBRCT has a played an important role in the development and support of technology-based Montana companies. Under Dave Desch and Jane Todd’s leadership, more than $44 million has been awarded by the MBRCT Program. In the past year, Dave and Jane retired from the Department of Commerce. Combined, they had over 40 years of service to the State of Montana. Their service to the state and to the MBRCT Program was invaluable.

  During the recent legislative session, House Bill 52 was passed and was signed into law. The bill addressed the extension of various economic development programs. Unfortunately, the bill also sunset the MBRCT Program. We are going to continue to gather information on the dollars attracted and commercialization successes in case the Legislature wants to resurrect the program.

  We want to make sure that you are aware of other programs available that may be able to assist you on your efforts to commercialize your technology.  Those include the Montana Innovation Partnership, Montana Manufacturing Extension Center, Small Business Development Centers, Certified Regional Development Corporations and SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program.

• The 2019 Legislature also sunset the Economic Development Advisory Council (EDAC) through HB 558. This council comprised of 19 governor-appointed members met only seven times since 2011.

Commerce News Roundup

• Made in Montana Members Report 60% Increase in Sales at 2019 Tradeshow | The Made in Montana program surveyed exhibitors about wholesale orders placed during the show. More than half of the exhibitors responded to the survey and reported more than $500,000 in orders from the event. This is a 60 percent increase in order value from the 2018 show.
• Tourism Grants to Help 44 Communities Attract Visitors Through Events | A pilot cycle of the Tourism Grant Program at the Department of Commerce will award nearly $550,000 to help 44 communities across Montana boost attendance at events to grow visitor spending.
• Governor Bullock Announces Economic Development Grants to Help Businesses Create Nearly 200 Jobs | “When our businesses thrive, our communities and the hard-working Montanans who live and work there have new opportunities to grow as well,” said Governor Bullock. “These grants will invest in Montana’s economy by growing business and the jobs that support those businesses.”

Going with the Grain: Why Great Harvest Chose Montana — Twice

Dillon, Montana, is a hub for world-class fishing, a gateway to Montana’s western heritage and a town of approximately 4,000 residents. It’s also the world breadquarters of Great Harvest Bread Company, which has more than 200 franchise bakery cafés across the country (plus one across the ocean on the Northern Mariana Islands) Click here to read how Great Harvest Bread Co. grew from one Great Falls, Montana location in the 1970s to more than 200 locations nationwide.