Responding to COVID-19
TRAVEL RECOMMENDATIONS
Montana currently has no cases of COVID-19. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services is closely monitoring this rapidly evolving public health situation and is updating its website daily.
The U.S. Government has not recommended restricting or limiting domestic travel. Some recommended limitations are in place for outbound international travel.
STAY INFORMED
This is a rapidly changing public health situation and it’s important to stay informed by following reputable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
The best way to prevent infection from COVID-19 and any respiratory virus is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The same preventative measures that are recommended during cold and flu season will also help to protect against coronavirus:
- Wash your hands thoroughly and often for at least 20 seconds using soap and water
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue (or your elbow)
- Stay home if you are sick
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
We urge the traveling public to stay informed, seek information from reputable sources, and take preventative measures like washing your hands to protect against COVID-19.
COORDINATED RESPONSE
The Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development at the Department of Commerce is coordinating closely with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and Disaster and Emergency Services.
Governor Steve Bullock has assembled a multi-agency task force, including the Department of Commerce, to ensure Montana is prepared to address a local COVID-19 outbreak.
RESOURCES
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services: https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/cdepi/diseases/coronavirusmt
DPHHS: Health in the 406 social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
DPHHS: 24/7 hotline: 406.444.0273
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
Montana Department of Commerce Announces Second Round of Funding to Promote Tourism Growth in Eastern Montana
The Montana Department of Commerce has announced a second round of grant awards to support efforts from nine communities to promote long-term tourism and economic development in eastern Montana.
A total of $297,829 will be awarded through the Eastern Montana Tourism Partner Initiative Grant Program. The Eastern Montana Tourism Partner Initiative is an ongoing collaboration among the Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development at Commerce and communities across eastern Montana that was formed in response to community leaders seeking to strengthen local economies.
The funding will be used to build or enhance existing tourism infrastructure, raise awareness of eastern Montana as a tourism destination and support sustainable economic development in the communities and nearby areas.
“This funding will support communities across eastern Montana in their ongoing work to strengthen local economies and create job opportunities in part by planning for sustainable tourism growth,” said Commerce Director Tara Rice. “The continued, collaborative effort through the Eastern Montana Tourism Partner Initiative allows us to keep showing travelers all that this part of our state has to offer.”
Click here to see the full list of awardees.
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Survey: How should HUD dollars be used in Montana for housing and community development needs?
The State of Montana is developing a five-year plan to guide policy and investment for housing, economic, and other community development. The five-year plan, also known as the “Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development” is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to assess Montana’s needs and current conditions as well as to determine priorities and allocate HUD funding.
The Montana Departments of Commerce and Public Health & Human Services invite you to participate in the 2020 Housing and Community Development Survey. We hope that you will share your opinions and perspective with us so that, together, we can identify and address housing and community development needs throughout our state.
The survey closes March 31!
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Commerce Announces 5 New Montana Main Street Communities
The Montana Department of Commerce announced Thursday that five Montana communities have been accepted to become affiliate members of the Montana Main Street Program. The program helps Montana communities strengthen and preserve historic downtown commercial districts by supporting economic development, urban revitalization and historic preservation through long-range planning, organization, design and promotion.
“The Department of Commerce is dedicated to supporting communities in their efforts to improve the economic, historic and cultural vitality of Montana’s downtowns,"Commerce Director Tara Rice said. “The Montana Main Street Program supports these communities through coordination and technical assistance with a focus on maintaining and restoring vibrant community districts and preserving historic structures that contribute to Montana's unique sense of place.”
The new Montana Main Street communities are Baker, Ekalaka, Havre, Lincoln and Polson. These communities will now have access to resources to help build their own local Main Street programs and work on downtown improvement efforts to advance local community development objectives. Montana now has 34 Main Street Program communities.
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Registration Now Open for the 2020 Montana Housing Partnership Conference
The Montana Housing Partnership Conference, June 15-17 in Helena, is a networking and training event for housing organizations, developers, government agency representatives and other stakeholders to gather and collaborate with one common goal, to increase affordable housing opportunities for Montanans.
This year's plenary speakers are booked, and we are excited for them to share their knowledge and ideas with all of you.
We will be joined by:
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Ben Winchester - Rural Sociologist and Senior Research Fellow for the University of Minnesota Extension
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Greg Handberg - Senior Vice President of Artspace
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Sarah Elkins - Communication Coach and Owner of Elkins Consulting
We will also offer four tours for you to choose from, each with a different area of focus. We will also have a wonderful opportunity to network with one another while appreciating our state's history during the Networking Reception, being held at the Montana Historical Society.
Registration deadline for early bird prices ends April 18, 2020. Register here.
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Montana Students Share the Importance of Filling out the Census in New Radio, TV PSA
Montana’s third Census 2020 public service announcement will start airing on broadcast television and radio stations statewide.
The “Importance of the Census” features Montana elementary school students and their teacher as they explain why counting everyone in Montana for the Census is so important. These educational spots are available for download in :30 second and :60 second radio and TV ads.
Each year, Montana receives more than $500 million for educational programs including Title I and II, Head Start, school food programs and career training based on Census data.
Distributed by the Montana Broadcasters Association, these public service announcements will also be available for individual download and distribution on CENSUS.MT.GOV, Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo. Individuals, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to download the videos and share them on their websites, social media platforms, newsletters, or other digital communication channels.
Counting everyone in Montana is critical because it helps determine the state’s share of federal funding over the next decade, it shapes local voting districts, and it determines whether Montana will get another representative in Congress.
Montana receives an estimated $2 billion in federal funds each year based on Census data. For every Montana resident counted, the Census estimates the state will receive $20,000 over the decade for things like highway planning, healthcare, educational programs, and infrastructure.
Find additional resources and learn more about how Montana is preparing for the Census at CENSUS.MT.GOV.
Download “Importance of the Census” here:
We're hiring an Entrepreneur Development Program Manager to support the development and growth of businesses in Indian Country. Learn more and apply here: https://bit.ly/2SXX0XT
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Funding Opportunities
- BSTF Job Creation & Planning application deadline is March 11. Learn more here.
- ExportMontana has grant dollars available to help companies translate promotional materials into foreign languages. Learn more and apply here.
- DNRC Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program or RRGL is accepting applications until May 15, 2020. Learn more and apply here.
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Save the Dates
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MADE IN MONTANA TRADESHOW | March 13-14 at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds in Helena | MADEINMONTANAUSA.COM
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SBDC DAY | March 18 | Billings + Nationwide
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EQUAL PAY DAY | March 31 | Statewide
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CENSUS DAY | April 1 | Statewide
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GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE ON TOURISM AND RECREATION | April 26-28, Downtown Billings | MTGOVERNORSCONFERENCE.COM
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MONTANA HEALTHY COMMUNITIES CONFERENCE | April 28-30, Helena | Learn more
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HOUSING PARTNERSHIPS CONFERENCE | June 15-17, Helena
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INNOVATE MONTANA SYMPOSIUM | Sept. 24-25, Missoula
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