The Montana Department of Commerce announced more than $1.5 million of grant funding has been awarded to support eight businesses in four Montana communities with business planning and the creation of up to 312 jobs over the next two years. The funds are being awarded through Commerce’s Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF) program.
“Montana is one of the fastest growing economies in the nation. The sustainability of our future economy is driven by the ability of our businesses to compete locally, nationally, and internationally and grow market share with high value products and services,” said Montana Department of Commerce Director Scott Osterman. “These BSTF grants are significant investments into Montana businesses for growth of good paying jobs and are critical to creating partnerships with private businesses contributing to expanding the Montana economy.”
BSTF Job Creation Grants are awarded to local and Tribal governments to create good paying jobs. In addition to grants, BSTF provides funding for loans. BSTF Job Creation Grant funding has been awarded to:
- Billings - Big Sky Economic Development Authority received $55,000 in BSTF job creation funds to assist Wild Roots Therapy Inc. to purchase equipment, computers, software, furniture, and fixtures, and for wage reimbursement that will enable it to create 11 net new BSTF-eligible jobs over two years. Wild Roots Therapy, Inc. provides mental health and related therapy services.
- City of Bozeman received $65,000 in BSTF job creation funds to assist Associated Logistics Group to purchase computers, equipment, and for wage reimbursement that will enable it to create 13 net new BSTF-eligible jobs over two years. Associated Logistics Group, LLC is a third-party logistics provider.
- City of Bozeman received $40,000 in BSTF job creation funds to assist Autopilot, Inc. to purchase computers, equipment, software, and for wage reimbursement that will enable it to create eight net new BSTF-eligible jobs over two years. Autopilot Inc is an AS9100 certified machine shop.
- Gallatin County received $165,000 in BSTF job creation funds to assist Vision Aerial, Inc. to purchase equipment, software, and for wage reimbursement that will enable it to create 33 net new BSTF-eligible jobs over two years. Vision Aerial, Inc. is a drone manufacturer for industrial applications.
- Missoula County received $1,000,000 in BSTF job creation funds to assist Cognizant Technology Services U.S. Corporation to purchase equipment, furniture, software, construction materials, and for wage reimbursement that will enable it to create 200 net new BSTF-eligible jobs over two years. Cognizant Technology Services U.S. Corporation is an information technology consulting business.
- Missoula County received $110,000 in BSTF job creation funds to assist DJ & A, P.C. to purchase equipment and for wage reimbursement that will enable it to create 22 net new BSTF-eligible jobs over two years. DJ&A, P.C. is a multidisciplinary professional services consulting engineering firm.
- Missoula County received $125,000 in BSTF job creation funds to assist TOMIS Holdings, Inc. to purchase equipment, software, and for wage reimbursement that will enable it to create 25 net new BSTF-eligible jobs over two years. TOMIS Holdings, Inc. is a software development company.
BSTF Planning Grants are awarded to eligible applicants to assist with economic development planning efforts that promote long-term, stable economic growth in Montana.
- Libby - Kootenai River Development Council Inc. received $27,000 of BSTF planning funds to assist Noble Industries, LLC with design documents and construction drawings associated with a new proposed access road. Noble Industries, LLC was created for the purpose of exploring the feasibility of a specialty medium density fiberboard (MDF) plant within the Kootenai Business Park.
"The BSTF Job Creation Grant has been instrumental in assisting with the growth of our small business in Silver Bow County. With the matching grant capabilities, we've been able to attract, hire, and retain talented employees to keep growing our new business. We were fortunate enough to receive both a planning and a job creation grant through BSTF; both have been crucial to our success," said Hannah Van Wetter, Co-Founder and CEO of Foothold, which builds affordable prefabricated homes.
More funding opportunities are still available. The next application deadline for Job Creation and Planning projects is September 14.
The Department of Commerce is also accepting applications for its Workforce Training Grant (WTG). The deadline for WTG applications is also September 14.