Made in Montana Monthly August 2020 Our logo is a badge of honor for artisans, growers, manufacturers and craftspeople working for something bigger than the bottom line

Made in Montana - Members making headlines

Celebrating Made in Montana

Good news from the Made in Montana inbox! Check out these highlights from several Made in Montana members  - from launching new products to celebrating milestones.  If you have news you would like to share, please email the press release or publication link to madeinmontana@mt.gov

Earlywood, located in Red Lodge, was featured in O Magazine's July 2020 issue.  Earlywood, owned by Brad Bernhart, crafts heirloom quality wooden utensils and the  "Newlywed Set"  made the list of Made in America Favorite Things.  

Farcountry Press celebrates 40 years of publishing award-winning titles and guidebooks.  Located in Helena, the business publishes an average of 50 books a year and uses Montana authors and photographers whenever possible. The Helena Independent Record featured the milestone.

Lewis & Clark Brewing Co., announced a new hard seltzer made with Montana sugar beet sugar from Sidney Sugars and Flathead Valley hops from Glacier Hops Ranch in Whitefish.  Brewers H20 Hoppy Craft Hard Seltzer is available on tap and coming soon in cans to a store near you. More information about the entire line-up of seltzers available at Lewis & Clark Brewing Co. 

Innovate Montana put together a list of Montana companies, including Made in Montana members, making Personal Protective Equipment for first responders, health care workers, and the public.  When you mask up or purchase sanitizer, consider purchasing PPE from a Montana business.  The list of Montana made PPE can be found at Innovate Montana  

Local Food Challenge Are you up to the challenge? For the month of August, Northern Plains Resource Council is challenging Montanans to eat more local foods, to ask for more local foods in their community, and to help support Montana agriculture in a giant way.  It's free to participate in the challenge and not too late to start logging your Made in Montana and Grown in Montana food choices! It is free to join the Local Food Challenge and you can sign up and learn more at https://mtlocalfoodchallenge.org/

Montana Food Show - Hosted by Montana Department of Agriculture The  4th annual Montana Food Show is Monday, October 26 in Missoula at the Hilton Garden Inn.  Early bird registration is now open!  This is a wholesale show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., there are no public hours.  Learn more at https://agr.mt.gov/MTFoodShow.   Contact Marty Earnheart for more information. 406.444.9126 | mearnheart@mt.gov The Dept of Agriculture continues to plan the MT Food Show and is closely monitoring the current public health situation.  If the show has to be canceled or postponed for public health reasons, all booth fees will be refunded.

Montana Beverage Show - November 9 Montana beverages require a show of their own – especially Montana wine, cider, craft beer, and spirits. The Montana Beverage Show, hosted by Montana Department of Agriculture, will highlight those beverages along with tea, juice, mixers, and coffee. The show will be held at the Delta Hotel Helena Colonial in Helena on Monday, November 9, 2020. Visit www.beverageshow.mt.gov for more information.

2021 Made in Montana Trade Show Many of you have asked about the 2021 Made in Montana Trade Show and we are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Montana and neighboring states.  Health and safety guidelines necessary to keep our members and staff safe, including social distancing and limits on large gatherings, factor into planning the 2021 Made in Montana Trade Show for Food and Gifts, tentatively scheduled for March 12 and 13, 2021 in Helena. We recognize the importance of wholesale buying events and are actively exploring additional ways of promoting our members via virtual shows, an online marketplace, or networking groups.

COVID-19 RESOURCES

• Montana COVID-19 Hotline: 1-888-333-0461 or COVID19info@mt.gov 
• Montana Coronavirus task force: COVID19@MT.GOV
• If you are a business owner and have questions related to the the phased approach to reopening and how the plan applies to you directly, please call 1-800-755-6672.
• If your question relates to unemployment insurance/benefits, please contact the Department of Labor and Industry at 406-444-2545. If you think you are eligible for unemployment benefits accessible to workers laid off due to COVID-19, you can apply for benefits online at: www.montanaworks.gov or contact the Unemployment Insurance Division over the phone at 406-444-2545.
• CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
• Montana Aware Toolkit: Montana Aware is a statewide effort designed to help Montana’s tourism partners and local businesses slow the spread of COVID-19 by promoting safety measures for those traveling in the state. As part of this initiative, the Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development has developed a toolkit of resources to help you educate residents and visitors on safe travel best practices. The toolkit includes a web badge, printable posters and flyers, social media posts, and other customizable materials and is available at https://marketmt.com/ISO/Montana-Aware-Toolkit 

Relief Grants and Loans Available for Businesses, Nonprofits, Individuals 

Governor Steve Bullock has launched more than a dozen new programs to support businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and renters whether the impacts of COVID-19. Learn more about funding opportunities and how to apply for grant or loan dollars at COVIDRELIEF.MT.GOV.