14 Productions to Share $500,000 in Big Sky Film Grants to Film in Montana

Fourteen film productions will share $500,000 through the Big Sky Film Grant from the Montana Film Office to film on-location across the state, the Montana Department of Commerce announced today.

“Film, television and commercial productions have a direct economic impact in Montana, creating good-paying jobs and infusing outside dollars into Montana communities,” Montana Film Commissioner Allison Whitmer said. “The Big Sky Film Grant is one of a suite of incentives the state offers to filmmakers that makes Montana competitive with other states and countries as the ultimate filming location.” 

The 14 film projects have a total estimated production cost of almost $126 million and expect that they will spend an estimated $72 million in Montana. A total of 42 projects requested more than $5 million in grant dollars this year, with only $500,000 available through the competitive Big Sky Film Grant for fiscal year 2021.

The productions will film at locations across Montana, from Dupuyer to Missoula to several places in eastern Montana.

The Big Sky Film Grant builds and supports partnerships with filmmakers and production companies to create good-paying Montana film industry jobs. The grant program enhances the marketing efforts of Montana’s tourism regions and advocates for the state’s people, history and overall quality of life.

See the complete list of awardees, here.

Montana Main Street Grants Awarded to Revitalize Downtowns in 8 Communities

Eight communities across Montana will share $120,000 through the Montana Department of Commerce’s Montana Main Street Program to revitalize and strengthen their downtown cores.

“Montana’s Main Street businesses and downtowns are the foundation of our state’s economy,” Commerce Director Scott Osterman said. “Funding through the Montana Main Street Program invests in communities across our state, encouraging economic growth to make Montana’s local economies stronger and create more opportunities for Montanans.”

• City-County of Butte-Silver Bow | $12,500 to complete a downtown master plan for Uptown Butte
• City of Great Falls | $12,500 to create and install wayfinding signage
• City of Hamilton | $16,000 to create and install wayfinding signage
• City of Havre | $20,000 to complete a downtown master plan
• City of Helena | $12,500 to complete a downtown capital improvements plan
• Lewis and Clark County | $20,000 to complete a Downtown Master Plan for Lincoln
• City of Red Lodge | $6,500 to complete a Community Parking Study & Access Strategy for the Roosevelt Center
• Town of Whitehall | $20,000 to develop a preliminary architectural report for the Star Theater

The Montana Main Street Program helps member communities strengthen and preserve their historic downtown commercial districts by focusing on economic development, urban revitalization, and historic preservation through long-range planning, organization, design, and promotion.

Funds can be used for planning or brick-and-mortar projects that support downtown revitalization efforts and require a $1 match from the local community for every $5 received. The program currently serves 34 communities across Montana.

For more information about the Montana Main Street Program, visit comdev.mt.gov/programs/mainstreet.

Coming Soon: Emergency Rental Assistance Program 

The Montana Emergency Rental Assistance program will soon take applications from Montana renters who have lost income and are at risk of housing instability due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funded through the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and appropriated by the Montana Legislature, this emergency rental assistance will help an estimated 8,000 Montana renters stay in their homes.

The application period will open soon. Here are some key things to know: 

• Online application is easy, thousands of Montanans will qualify
• Renters may receive a monthly maximum of $2,200 for back and/or future rent 
• Gas, electric and internet services are eligible 
• No co-pay is required
• Renters may apply directly, landlords may apply on behalf of their renters

Renters can prepare for the application now by filing their 2020 taxes and/or gathering all income documentation, and landlords should prepare a W-9.

HOUSING.MT.GOV

Office of Indian Country Economic Development Program Manager

Please welcome Luke Robinson to the Office of Indian Country Economic Development. Luke is taking on the role of Entrepreneur Development Specialist overseeing the Indian Equity Fund and Native American Business Assistance grant programs. Luke has more than seven years of experience working in economic development and comes to us from the Native American Development Corporation in Billings where he held the position of Loan Officer for their Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Luke also has commercial and agricultural banking experience as a Credit Analyst. He is originally from Lame Deer. Luke can be reached at luke.robinson@mt.gov.

Dates to Remember  

• June 16, 2021: Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund Job Creation, Planning Project. Learn more and apply here.
• Ongoing: CDBG Housing Stabilization Program applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Learn more and apply here. 
• Ongoing: CDBG Economic Development Program applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Learn more and apply here.
• May 18-19, 2021: Montana Housing Partnerships Conference, Virtual. Register here.