Montana Department of Commerce
Weekly Roundup
The Weekly Roundup is a summary of events, news and information important to Commerce's constituents this week. Click on any topic for more information.
Infrastructure and Planning
The Montana Main Street Program seeks additions to its MMS murals catalog. MMS members may submit a mural by visiting the project's web page.
Commerce's Montana Main Street Program is seeking your vote for its MMS Best of Show Flower Basket and Flowerpot Competition. Flower planters and baskets are important features in Montana's 38 Main Street communities. These floral elements are strategically placed to enhance the local image and economy, attract visitors and showcase downtown pride. Voting is open through Oct. 2; all votes are anonymous.
As a Main Street America coordinating program, Commerce’s MMS Program is part of a grassroots network committed to promoting local main streets, creating high-quality spaces and building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. For more information about the MMS Program, visit commerce.mt.gov.
The Community Technical Assistance Program can help with community planning needs, including growth policies, subdivision regulations, downtown master plans or long- or short-range planning. Contact the CTAP team for more information.
The CTAP team has begun scheduling community outreach opportunities around the state. CTAP team members will be available the following days, times and locations: Oct.1 at 6 p.m. for a planning board training related to the Granite County Growth Policy at the Drummond Public Library.
The Montana Emergency Tourism Assistance Program is accepting applications until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 28. The application guidelines are posted on the METAP web page; the funding opportunity is available on the grants and loans portal for applicants.
The Montana Coal Board will hold its next quarterly meeting on Dec. 10 in Billings. Grant applications to be considered at this meeting are due no later than 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 26. Visit the Montana Grants and Loans Portal to apply.
The Community Development Block Grant Program is accepting applications for the Public and Community Facilities Program through Oct. 30 by 11:59 p.m. Eligible applicants are limited to counties, incorporated cities and towns and consolidated city-county governments. The application guidelines are available on the CDBG web page; interested parties can apply through the Montana Grants and Loans Portal.
Business
Commerce's Film Office is offering a new funding opportunity: the Film Fest and Theater Sponsorship Program. The sponsorship program, with a maximum funding limit of $10,000, aims to support Montana-based film festivals, film tours, screening series and conferences related to the film industry. Additionally, theaters may receive sponsorship for one-time projects.
Program guidelines and application information are available at commerce.mt.gov. The online application closes Sept. 30 and must be completed and submitted in the Montana Grants and Loans Portal. Awards will be announced in December.
Commerce's Tribal Tourism Grant opens Oct. 1. The Tribal Tourism Grant is available to the eight tribal nations of Montana for shovel-ready tourism projects. Updates to the TTG guidelines approved by the State Tribal Economic Development Commission include an increase in the award amount and a reduction in the match requirement. The grant closes at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2026.
Commerce's Tribal Tourism Small Business Grant opens Oct. 1. The Tribal Tourism Small Business Grant is available to enrolled citizens of Montana’s eight tribal nations aged 18-years-old or older, who operate or wish to start a tribal tourism business in one of the following categories:
- Native American Made in Montana producer or retailer
- Hosted accommodations, tours or experiences
- Licensed food or beverage business, mobile or brick-and-mortar location
- Licensed outfitter or guide in hunting or fishing
- Business that supports tribal tourism industry in Montana
Updates to the TTSB guidelines approved by the State Tribal Economic Development Commission include an increase in the award amount, changes to the match requirement and a cooling off period on award frequency. Applicants are encouraged to meet with a Native American Business Advisor for technical assistance and business plan development. The grant closes at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30.
Commerce’s Opportunities in Rural Economies Loan Participation Program is expanding support for rural business growth and community development with a new application cycle. The application cycle opens Oct. 1 and closes Oct. 30. The program will make $8 million available to help finance eligible projects across Montana’s rural communities. Eligible projects will be required to provide a one-to-one match.
Economic development organizations can apply to enroll in the ORE Program. Enrollment is open-ended; organizations involved in regional economic development and business assistance are encouraged to participate. Lenders interested in partnering with the ORE Program are encouraged to contact program staff. Participating lenders must execute a General Lender Loan Servicing Agreement. For program information or lender participation details, contact Business Resource Partner Josh Bennett at 406-841-2748 or josh.bennett@mt.gov.
The Great Falls Development Alliance will host free business workshops in Shelby on Oct. 6 and in Great Falls on Oct. 7. Learn the proven principles of Destination Creation from internationally recognized expert Jon Schallert. This immersive workshop teaches businesses and communities how to stand out, attract more visitors, increase customer loyalty and become destinations people actively seek out. Walk away with practical strategies to strengthen your brand, grow revenue and create lasting economic impact. The workshops are sponsored by Commerce's Opportunities in Rural Economies Loan Participation Program Grant.
Shelby: Oct. 6
8:30 a.m.–4:40 p.m.
Comfort Inn and Suites
455 McKinley Ave.
Great Falls: Oct.7
8:30 a.m.–4:40 p.m.
Great Falls College MSU: Heritage Hall
2100 16th Ave. S.
The Agritourism Grant Program will accept applications through Oct. 22. These grants support tribal and agricultural businesses and rural communities by assisting with diversifying operations, developing and enhancing agritourism opportunities and generating tourism revenue for the benefit of local Montana economies.
Agritourism Grant Program webinars will include an overview of the program, the 2027 application, scoring criteria, the timeline and a Q & A session. They are scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 7 at noon and Tuesday, Oct. 20 at noon.
SHOT Show sponsorship opportunities are available: Commerce’s business attraction team announces the availability of sponsorship opportunities for Montana's SHOT Show 2027 presence in Las Vegas in January. This show is one of the premier events for the shooting sports and hunting and outdoor recreation industries. It also helps the team promote Montana manufacturers, recruit new businesses and strengthen industry partnerships.
Sponsorships support Montana's signature networking events and the new Montana Room at the show while providing valuable brand exposure and networking opportunities for participants. Oct. 16 is the sponsorship deadline. For more information, see this sponsorship flyer or contact Business Attraction Coordinator Cameron Johnson at camjohnson@mt.gov or 406-471-4418.
The Montana Automation Financing Program offers two funding opportunities for Montana-based manufacturing businesses seeking to upgrade, replace or expand equipment through automation and modernization investments: direct loans and collateral support. The direct loan application window is open through Oct. 23. Commerce will service eligible direct loans of up to $100,000. The collateral support application window opens later this year. For details, contact Business Resource Specialist Josh Bennett at josh.bennett@mt.gov or 406-841-2748.
The Montana State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 Loan Participation Program-Recycled Funds application is open and will remain so for the duration of the program, with capital availability contingent on repayments from existing borrowers. A list of participating lenders with funds for recycling is on the SSBCI web page.
Housing
The 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan, which covers the period from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, summarizes the actions, activities and resources available for the State of Montana’s Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, Housing Trust Fund and Emergency Solutions Grant. Commerce took public comment on its 2026-2027 AAP through July 17, before HUD had announced the 2026 HTF allocations on Aug. 4. Therefore, HUD now requires Commerce to submit a substantial amendment to its AAP that includes information regarding Commerce’s 2026 HTF allocation of $3,311,933.19. The draft amendment is available for public comment until Sept. 29; it's posted on Commerce’s website or a hard copy can be requested.
The Montana Housing Partnership has opened its Affinity Groups Launch Survey to gather input that will help shape upcoming asset and property management, housing preservation and development groups. Your feedback will guide topics, tools and early priorities. The survey closes Oct. 19.
MBOH Board Training: Oct. 19.
MBOH Public Meeting: Oct. 20.
Commerce News/Upcoming Events
Tourism Awards Presented at Annual Conference
The Montana Heritage Commission is seeking interested parties to join the Long-Term Lease Program Working Group. Please email your letter of interest and resume to mhc@mt.gov by Sept. 30.
The Montana Heritage Commission is looking for concessionaires interested in running business operations in historic Virginia City, Nevada City and Reeder's Alley in Helena. A list of currently available opportunities can be found at commerce.mt.gov. Email mhc@mt.gov with any questions.
Training Opportunity: The 2026 Montana Co-op Academy is a two-track training and connection event for cooperative leaders, rising leaders, outreach staff, community partners and people supporting cooperative development work across Montana. Hosted by the Montana Council of Cooperatives and co-hosted with Montana’s Credit Unions, the Academy will bring together people working inside existing co-ops and people helping communities explore cooperative solutions.
Trainings will be held Oct. 19-21 at the Spring Hill Suites in Bozeman. Register here.
These trainings are made possible with support from the Cooperative Development Foundation and Commerce.
Register now for the 2026 Governor’s Summit on Montana Food and Agriculture, which will be held Oct. 23-24 in Helena. The summit, hosted by the Grow Montana Food Policy Coalition in partnership with the Montana Department of Agriculture and the Governor’s Office, aims to gather Montanans to design a strategic roadmap toward solving pinch points in the state’s supply chain. This event will feature speakers and regional work sessions focused on identifying gaps and opportunities in the distribution, marketing, production and retailing of food grown and produced in Montana.
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