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Advancing Homeownership on Montana's Tribal Lands - On a sun-drenched, snowy day in Browning, Montana, community leaders gathered at NACDC Financial Services, Inc., to celebrate NACDC’s receipt of a $1 million USDA grant to expand single family homeownership on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. READ MORE HERE. |
USDA Awards More than $2.2 Million in Grants to Support Montana Agricultural Producers
Bozeman, Mont., Jan. 17, 2024 – In 2023, USDA Rural Development in Montana awarded more than $2.2 million in direct funds to 10 rural small businesses and agricultural producers through its Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program, which is designed to help generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase overall producer income to grow local economies in rural and Tribal areas. READ FULL STORY.
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Local Library "More Than Just Books" for Rural Montana Town - A library connects its patrons to resources around them and can sometimes serve as a rural community’s only link to a world beyond. Learn how a USDA RD Community Facilities Grant helped Harlowton keep its library doors open. READ MORE HERE. |
USDA Invests Nearly $3.2 Million to Boost Fertilizer Production and Generate Energy Efficiencies in Montana’s Rural Areas
Bozeman, Mont., Jan. 22, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Montana State Director Kathleen Williams announced today investments of nearly $3.2. million in renewable energy and domestic fertilizer projects to help Montanans lower energy bills and make domestically produced fertilizer more accessible to farmers in Big Sky Country. READ FULL STORY.
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Our team travels throughout Montana to help businesses, communities, and homeowners learn more about funding opportunities available through USDA Rural Development. We hope to see you on the road! |
Montana RD Coming to an Event Near You in February
Feb. 2 - Montana Farmer's Union Women's Conference (Miles City)
Feb. 9 - Montana Farmer's Union Women's Conference (Fairmont)
Feb. 15 - Montana Agri-Trade Exposition (Billings)
Feb. 27 - MSU Business / Ag College Recruiter Networking Night (Bozeman)
FCC Affordable Connectivity Program
This Federal Communications Commission (FCC) benefit program helps ensure households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Enrollment closes on 2/7/2024.
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Grants for Arts Projects
Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) is the NEA’s largest grant program for organizations, providing expansive funding opportunities to strengthen the nation’s arts and culture across multiple artistic disciplines - opportunities for public engagement with the arts and arts education, integration of the arts with strategies promoting health and well-being, and improvement of overall capacity within the arts sector. Application deadline is 2/15/2024.
Montana Main Street (MMS) Grant Application Now Open
The Montana Department of Commerce annual application cycle for its Montana Main Street (MMS) grant program is now open for MMS member communities. Grants are available for comprehensive revitalization projects and community planning and to activate spaces and execute concrete ideas. Communities with active MMS grants are not eligible. Application deadline is 2/28/2024. For more information contact micky.zurcher@mt.gov.
Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) - Growth Through Agriculture Business Acceleration and Marketing Program
Now accepting requests for funding applications. Montanans interested in expanding or developing new marketing for agricultural businesses may apply for funds through this state grant program. MDA will accept applications until funds are exhausted and will review applications quarterly, starting in April.
Those needing application assistance in applying for funding are encouraged to contact a local Food and Agricultural Development Center (FADC).
FSA Farm Storage Facility Loan Program
The Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) provides low-interest financing so producers can build or upgrade facilities to store commodities. FSFL is an excellent financing program for on-farm storage and handling for small and mid-sized farms, and for new farmers. Loan terms vary from 3 to 12 years. The maximum loan amount for storage facilities is $500,000.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Distressed Cities and Persistent Poverty Technical Assistance Grant Program
HUD accepts applications from local governments seeking technical assistance to build capacity that addresses economic distress and alleviate persistent poverty. Assistance is available directly to local governments and their nonprofit partners in specific areas (census tracts) that serve communities with populations of less than 50,000 residents. Request deadline is ROLLING. For questions and more information email distressedcities@hud.gov.
System for Award Management (SAM)
A SAM registration is required for to bid on and get paid for federal contracts or to receive federal funds. These include for-profit businesses, non-profits, government contractors, government subcontractors, state governments, and local municipalities. The SAM registration is valid for one year from the date the registration is complete and must be renewed before 60 days of expiration to avoid potential penalties.
History of Rural Development
USDA Rural Development has a rich history of transforming rural and Tribal communities. Rural America is hometown America – more than a great place to live, its people make up America’s spirit and character. To learn how RD has shaped this vital part of our national identity.
Interagency Working Group (IAW) on Coal and Power Plant Communities
The IAW was created to ensure federal government agencies come together to help drive funding from both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and deliver those resources to help revitalize America's energy communities.
AVAILABLE RESOURCES
Navigator Service helps communities through the complex grants process and provides real-time assistance with resources for grant assistance, infrastructure and workforce development.
"Getting Started Guide" helps coal and oil-and-gas communities start the planning process or respond to economic and social changes resulting from energy transition and other economic shifts.
For more information about Montana RD, follow us on Twitter @Montana_RD or
Visit our WEBSITE by clicking the button below.
USDA Rural Development in Montana has offices in Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula. Contact us today to learn more about funding opportunities for businesses, communities and homeowners in rural and Tribal areas.
Websites and hyperlinks - For ease of reference, this publication provides links to relevant, useful information hosted outside the USDA domain. Endorsement of non-USDA programs is neither intended nor implied.
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