OICED Is Open for Business and Ready to Serve You

Montana Department of Commerce sent this bulletin at 03/26/2020 12:30 PM MDT
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OICED Is Open for Business and Ready to Serve You

Our team is working remotely and we all have access to technology to be able to continue managing contracts and projects. Here's how to reach us for the short term:

Heather Sobrepena - hsobrepena@mt.gov or 406.461.1300

Billie LeDeau - billie.ledeau@mt.gov or 406.439.6437

Dan Iverson - diverson@mt.gov or 406.431.6487 (Note: Dan will be out of the office for the week of March 30-April 3)

We sent out a survey to get a sense of how COVID19 is affecting our Tribal Business Planning Grant, Indian Equity Fund, and Native American Business Advisor grantees ability to complete their contracts by May 2020. If you haven't responded yet, please click the link above.

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General Updates

Read the Department of Commerce's e-newsletter, Commerce Connection, for the latest information on Governor Bullock's Coronavirus Task Force and other resources. To sign up for the newsletter, click here.

Updates by Program

Indian Equity Fund (IEF)

Payments are proceeding on Indian Equity Fund contracts. Indian Equity Fund recipients can reach out directly to Billie LeDeau for payment information and Heather Sobrepena for contract information.

Tribal Business Planning Grant (TBPG)

We anticipate that there will some delayed activities on contracts. However, the most current state fiscal year 20 contracts all extend into 2021 and should have adequate time for completion. Reporting forms for older contracts can be found here: https://montanadeptofcommerce.submittable.com/submit

Native American Business Advisor (NABA)

Some grantees may be facing delays with trainings, workshops, and technical assistance with social distancing in effect. Grantees concerned about completing contract activities can respond to the survey or touch bases with Heather Sobrepena.

SBDC offers live and recorded business webinars that can be signed up for here: https://sbdc.mt.gov/classroom. Topics covered include operations, marketing, financial, and pre-venture.

State Tribal Economic Development (STED) Commission

The planned strategic planning session for May 4-6 in Browning has been delayed. More information will be shared as it is available.

Montana Indian Language Program (MILP)

All language projects have been contracted and are underway.

Tribal Tourism

The Department of Commerce has prepared guidance for Montana's tourism industry partners (updated daily) as well as guidance for travelers (updated as information warrants).

The annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism & Recreation will be moved to April 18 - 20, 2021 in Billings, Montana.

If you have already registered for the conference, you may choose to receive a full conference refund, or transfer your registration to 2021 here.

If OICED offered you a scholarship to attend the conference at no cost to registration or lodging, your scholarship will apply in 2021.