Governor Bullock Announces Grants to Grow Businesses, Create 82 New Jobs across Montana

Governor Steve Bullock announced today $459,638 in grants to help businesses in nine Montana communities create 86 new jobs and plan for future expansions.

“Montana’s economy is strong and we are seeing great opportunities for businesses to grow and expand all across the state,” said Governor Bullock. “Continued investment in our growing economy helps businesses in communities across Montana to create more jobs, train new employees, and grow business under the Big Sky.”

The funds are being awarded through the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF) and Primary Sector Workforce Training Grant (WTG) programs.

Red Lodge is one of the nine communities where BSTF and WTG funds are growing the economy through area businesses.

The Red Lodge Area Community Foundation received a $16,200 BSTF Planning grant through Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc. to assist with a Preliminary Architectural Report for redevelopment of the old Roosevelt School.

Tracy Timmons, Executive Director of the Foundation, said the redevelopment project fills a long-term need for a space dedicated to the arts and will help define Main Street. Plans include development of a performing arts center and convention and retail space.

“Red Lodge is very artsy, but the arts community has never had a place where it can network,” she said.” This is the first time a whole sector of our community is going to gain support, and we never would have gotten to this point without grant funds. It’s going to help build momentum for rural Montana.”

Full List of Grant Recipients:

Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF) – Job Creation and Planning Grants

The BSTF program provides state funds to promote long-term stable economic growth in Montana. More information can be found at www.bstf.mt.gov.

· Missoula County received $134,000 of BSTF Job Creation funds to assist Consumer Direct Management Solutions, Inc. to expand, which will allow the company to create 20 new jobs in Missoula County. The BSTF funds will be used for equipment purchases. Consumer Direct Management Solutions, Inc., which is located in Missoula, provides a wide array of home- and community-based services that assist and support older adults and people living with disabilities.

· The City of Bozeman received $60,000 of BSTF Job Creation funds to assist Bigart Ecosystems, LLC (dba Wisetail) to expand, which will allow the company to create 12 new jobs for Gallatin County. The BSTF funds will be used for equipment purchases. Bigart Ecosystems, LLC is a learning management software company.

· Beartooth RC & D Area, Inc. of Joliet received $16,200 of BSTF Planning funds to assist Big Horn Valley Health Center, Inc. with the development of a Preliminary Architectural Report for its facility in Hardin. Big Horn Valley Health Center, Inc. is a Federally Qualified Health Center and provides comprehensive primary medical care and behavioral health services.

· Beartooth RC & D Area, Inc. of Joliet received $16,200 of BSTF Planning funds to assist Red Lodge Area Community Foundation with the development of a Preliminary Architectural Report for the old Roosevelt School in Red Lodge. The Red Lodge Area Community Foundation has been the catalyst behind the redevelopment of the school.

· BitterRoot Economic Development District received $27,000 of BSTF Planning funds to assist Bitterroot Gateway Development, LLC with a Feasibility Study and Site Development Plan. Bitterroot Gateway Development, LLC is a startup business that has plans to build and operate a media manufacturing campus, a film and television sound stage and production facility combined with a media production training program in Missoula.

· BitterRoot Economic Development District received $27,000 of BSTF Planning funds to assist Seeley Lake Regional Outdoor Center for Kinetic Sports (ROCKS) with a Master Plan to develop a Nordic ski area in the Fawn Creek area of Seeley Lake. The proposed Master Plan will demonstrate the economic and technical feasibility and capability of Seeley Lake ROCKS to manage the project while meeting all of the criteria needed by the United States Forest Service to issue a special-use permit for the proposed Fawn Creek ski area.

· BitterRoot Economic Development District received $26,773 of BSTF Planning funds to assist Tru-Home Montana, LLC with a Business Development Plan. Tru-Home Montana, LLC is a Missoula-based designer and manufacturer of pre-built homes.

· Headwaters RC & D Area, Inc. received $20,520 of BSTF Planning funds to assist Jefferson Local Development Corporation (JLDC) with a Master Plan for the community of Boulder. The Master Plan will help local governments in formulating policy decisions that promote long-term economic development, guide the JLDC toward implementation of a common community vision, and provide guidance toward consistent marketing of Boulder.

· Headwaters RC & D Area, Inc. received $26,855 of BSTF Planning funds to assist Moore Sea Lift, LLC with a business and manufacturing feasibility study. Moore Sea Lift, LLC, plans to build a manufacturing facility in Butte-Silver Bow to produce the Universal Sea Container Liftgate, currently in final stages of engineering design development. The company has identified an unmet need for the global shipping industry for a liftgate system, which will improve trans-loading operations and shorten time delays.

· Lake County Community Development Corporation received $10,800 of BSTF Planning funds to assist Lake County and Polson Fairgrounds, Inc. with a feasibility study. The group is hoping to construct a multi-use expo event center at the Polson Fairgrounds. The event center would be a destination event center large enough to host large conventions and concerts as well as rodeo, livestock, sporting, automobile and recreational vehicle shows.

· Montana Business Assistance Connection received $27,000 of BSTF Planning funds to assist Helena Indian Alliance with the preparation of a Preliminary Architectural Report for its facility in Helena. Helena Indian Alliance is a Federally Qualified Health Center and provides comprehensive services such as mental and behavioral services, substance abuse counseling, and addiction treatment services.

· Prospera Business Network received $37,000 of BSTF Planning funds to assist Bradley Foods, Inc. with Planning, Architectural Design and Engineering Services to construct a new facility for Heeb’s Grocery Store in Bozeman. The new facility will be part of a redevelopment plan for a major intersection on the east side of Bozeman.

· Snowy Mountain Development Corporation (SMDC) received $18,900 of BSTF Planning funds to prepare a Preliminary Architectural Report for the Century Link buildings in downtown Lewistown. The intended use of the study is to assist SMDC staff and board in making the decision to accept the donated property and to redevelop the property.

Primary Sector Workforce Training Grant (WTG)

The WTG program provides state funds to assist primary sector business with funds to assist with the training of net new jobs. More information can be found at www.wtg.mt.gov.

· Centene Corporation of Great Falls received $155,000 of WTG funds to training 25 full-time and 12 part-time jobs. Centene Corporation is a diversified multi-line managed care enterprise that provides a portfolio of services to government sponsored health care programs focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals.

· Elixiter, Inc. of Bozeman received $65,000 of WTG funds to train 13 full-time jobs. Elixiter, Inc. is a Bozeman company that offers professional services supporting the marketing automation industry in strategy, managed services and training.

More funding opportunities are still available. The deadline for submitting an application for consideration at the next Grant/Loan Review Committee meeting is June 30, after which the next opportunity will be Aug. 31. For more information, contact Section Manager Annmarie Robinson by phone at or by visiting www.bstf.mt.gov or www.wtg.mt.gov.

The Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development markets Montana’s spectacular unspoiled nature, vibrant and charming small towns, breathtaking experiences, relaxing hospitality, and competitive business climate to promote the state as a place to visit and do business.