DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Monday, August 1, 2011

CONTACT:       

                      Philip Belangie 

                      Entrepreneur Development Program Manager

                      Montana Department of Commerce

                      406-721-3663

 

                      Marissa Kozel

                      Communications Director

                      Montana Department of Commerce

                      406-841-2772

 

 

 

 

(HELENA) – The Montana Department of Commerce has awarded a total of $119,000 in Indian Equity Fund Grants to 18 Native American business owners in Montana.

 

Equity Funds are grants designed to assist current or new Native American business owners start or expand their businesses. Each recipient will receive a grant of $7,000. Recipients were chosen from a pool of 45 applications.

 

“This Equity Fund has proven to be an excellent resource for tribal members with entrepreneurial goals,” said Dore Schwinden, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “We’ve seen some true success stories of Equity Funds helping new businesses start out on the right foot and helping established businesses really take off running.”

 

Equity Funds can be used for a variety of activities such as the purchase of new equipment or the development of a new product line. Equity Funds requires a minimum dollar to dollar match. These funds may include collateral such as cash, in kind, or loan funds such as a tribal loan fund, a micro loan program, or a commercial lender. Examples of in kind match may include inventory, supplies, equipment, tools or vehicles that are part of the activity of the business. 

 

The Montana Indian Equity Fund is a state-funded program administered by the Montana Department of Commerce. Funding is utilized from the Indian Country Economic Development program (ICED) via the recommendation of the State Tribal Economic Development Commission (STED) and the approval of the Director of the Department of Commerce.

 

● Blackfeet: Jamie L. Grounds- The Honeysuckle Flower Shop and Gifts, Browning; and Francis Kittson-Firehorse Café, Babb

 

● Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes: Dureen Blixt- Hairway 93, Polson; and Shannon Burke- Home Helpers/Direct Link of Western Montana, Ronan

 

● Chippewa Cree Tribe: Jason Belcourt and James “Midge” the Boy- “Hunting the Rez” magazine; Johnny E. Allery-Allery and Sons Construction; and Natalie Flores-Nat’s Latte Dreams, Box Elder

 

● Crow: Mandy Moccasin-Plainfeather, cattle ranching, Lodge Grass; and Richard Seth Whiteclay, cattle ranching, Pryor

 

● Fort Belknap: Toby Werk-Blue Heaven Guest Ranch, Hays; and Jessie James Hawley-Turtle Woman Gifts and Publications, Harlem

 

● Fort Peck: Pat Klotz-Pat’s Unique Boutique and Candle House, Wolf Point; and Raymond White Tail Feather-Dakota Trading Post, Poplar

 

● Northern Cheyenne: Vaughn Shoulderblade-S/Blade Construction, Lame Deer; and Tony Prairiebear-Prairiebear Wood Products,, Lame Deer

 

● Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa: Jane Thompson-HavreSaks, Havre; and Robin Christopherson-Looking Glass Printing, Florence

 

● At Large: Robert D. Kittson-Lodge Builders, Havre

 

During the first four years of the program, the Montana Department of Commerce and State Tribal Economic Development Commission provided $483,000 to fund a total of 72 business owners.  

 

A total of $119,000 is available for the 2012 program year. For more information regarding the fund or to request an application for 2012, please contact the program manager at the Montana Department of Commerce, Philip Belangie, pbelangie@mt.gov or (406) 721-3663.

 

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