Montana Department of Commerce

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Montanans in every corner of the state have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As Montana works to recover from the unprecedented economic situation caused by this novel Coronavirus, the state is making emergency financial relief available from the federal government to those who have been hardest-hit by impacts of COVID-19 through a single application portal on this website.

This site is meant to serve as a comprehensive resource for Montanans to identify whether they qualify for financial relief and to serve as a resource as we collectively begin to reopen the thriving economy Montana enjoyed prior to the global outbreak of COVID-19.

Montanans out of work, families with limited resources, small businesses, non-profits and others can apply for financial relief for things like rental and mortgage assistance, business and non-profit grants, grants to serve seniors and those living with a disability, food banks and local food producers.

To prepare for the application, businesses should have their most recent tax return, Secretary of State Certificate of Good Standing, budget showing three months of working capital, copy of Driver’s License, Tribal or State-issued ID card, copy of UI-5 if business has employees, a brief description of how the grant will be spent, and a brief description of how COVID-19 has impacted operations. Homeowners and renters should have bank account information available and verification of job or income loss.

Application Customer Support: Submittable
Monday-Friday 9-5pm
Contact Submittable

This financial assistance is funded through $1.25 billion in federal emergency relief funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The receipt of a government grant by a business generally is not excluded from the business's gross income under the [IRS] Code and therefore is taxable. ​More information is available here.

Governor Bullock’s Coronavirus Relief Fund Advisory Council, an advisory group made up of Montanans representing nearly every sector of the state’s economy and more than 1,400 comments submitted by the public, guided the state on how this federal emergency funding can best serve the needs of Montanans – and where the state can fill unmet needs not addressed by other federal funding going forward.

The following new programs join the state’s suite of existing support services and direct federal appropriations to ensure Montana’s families, workers, seniors, businesses and non-profits emerge from this challenge even stronger than before.

*NEW* Montana Working Capital Program, Board of Investments and Department of Revenue
The Montana Working Capital Program is designed to aid Montana businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses are eligible for grant funds to support working capital loans from eligible lenders. All Borrowers must meet the following criteria to be eligible to receive Montana Working Capital Program funding. Information will be verified in part by the Lender, Montana Board of Investments, Montana Department of Revenue, and other assisting agencies.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. The loan requesting assistance must be a commercial loan to a Montana business;
2. The Borrower must have been no more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019, with the originating lender;
3. The Borrower must be current on all other State financial obligations (i.e. income tax, property tax, payroll tax, workers comp., child support, etc.);
4. The Borrower must be in good standing with the Montana Secretary of State;
5. The Borrower’s business cannot be publicly traded;
6. The Borrower must not have access to 12 months of working capital from any other sources;
7. The Borrower cannot be engaged in any illegal activity under federal, state, or local law;
8. The proceeds from the program may not be used for any marijuana-related business;
9. The borrower, an owner with at least 20% ownership, or a guarantor cannot generate any revenue from marijuana-related business; and
10. The Borrower must have experienced a 15% reduction in gross revenue attributable to the direct or indirect impacts of COVID-19.

Use of Proceeds:

Proceeds may be used for the following expenses incurred between March 12, 2020 and December 30, 2020: payroll/contract labor; employee benefits; leases/rents; inventory; utilities; insurance; advertising; repairs and maintenance; office expense; and interest for this loan request only. Proceeds may NOT be used for: real estate purchases; payment of taxes of any type; interest or principal payments on other outstanding debt; investment or re-lending of funds; dividends or distributions; or contributions to, or on behalf of, any political party, party committee, or candidate for elective office.

General Loan Terms:

• Maximum Grant Size – $175,000 grant on a $500,000 principal loan (35/65 grant to loan).
• Origination Fee – MBOI to pay 1% or $5,000, whichever is less.
• Term – To be determined by Lender and Borrower.
• Rate – To be determined by Lender and Borrower.
• Existing term loans are ineligible for participation.
• Existing operating notes as of March 12, 2020 must be converted to term loans.
• The grant portion of the Working Capital Program is taxable income and a 1099 will be issued to the holder of the note.
• Lenders who denied eligible businesses from participating in the Montana Loan Deferment Program are not eligible for the Montana Working Capital Program.
• Loans funded in the Montana Loan Deferment Program are not eligible for the Montana Working Capital Program.
• Loans approved in the Montana Working Capital Program are not eligible for the Montana Loan Deferment Program.

 Businesses should contact their lender to apply. Deadline to apply is Oct. 23, 2020.

*NEW* Live Entertainment Grant Program, Governor’s Office of Economic Development
The Live Entertainment Grant Program is available to Montana-based businesses and non-profits that are directly engaged in the business of live entertainment, and whose revenues primarily come from live entertainment events. This grant is intended to ensure the long-term viability of live entertainment in Montana that has been severely impacted by COVID-19. Bars, restaurants, and other facilities whose primary business is anything other than live entertainment are not eligible. Businesses that are not directly responsible for the production of live entertainment events in Montana are not eligible. Examples of ineligible businesses include wedding venues, event support software, tradeshows, event planners, and tour operators. To be eligible, applicants must have either derived at least 33% of their 2019 revenue from the sale of tickets for live events or must be businesses that are directly reliant on ticketed live entertainment events but are not directly in receipt of ticket revenue. That includes only the following business types: venues, event promoters, event production, lighting and sound, rigging and stagehands, security, and other physical infrastructure. Eligible applicants’ revenue for Q2 (April 1 – June 30) 2020 must also be no greater than 10% of 2019’s Q2 (April 1 – June 30) revenue. Total funding available is $10 million.
Apply Here

*UPDATED* Montana Department of Commerce, Montana Business Stabilization Program
The Montana Business Stabilization Grant program will provide working capital for small businesses to support payroll, rent, accounts payable, debt service and expenses related to shifts in operations in order to retain existing businesses, retain current employees or retain business viability for future re-employment. Eligible small business must be Montana-based, employ 50 or less, have sustained a loss of revenue since Feb. 15 due to COVID 19, and be in good standing with the Secretary of State or local tribal government. Nonprofit entities are not eligible. Total funding available is $200 million, the maximum award amount per business is $20,000. Businesses that have been awarded a grant prior to August 12, 2020 will be eligible to receive a second payment for three additional months of working capital – equal to the first payment received. New applicants are eligible to apply for up to six months of working capital or $20,000 whichever is less. Deadline to apply is September 30, 2020. [Updated Sept. 16, 2020]
Apply Here

*NEW* East Edge of Glacier Park Tourism Business Grant, Montana Department of Commerce
Tourism-reliant businesses in the Babb – St. Mary - East Glacier corridor may be eligible to apply for a grant of up to 25 percent of their 2019 gross revenue based on a 2019 tax return. The maximum award available is $40,000. Any Business Stabilization Grants or Agriculture Adaptability Grants awarded to the business will be deducted from the eligible East Edge of Glacier Park Tourism Business Grant total. The business must be located along the eastern edge of Glacier Park in the immediate vicinity of East Glacier, St. Mary or Babb, and must be a Montana-based business, pay Montana taxes, in good standing with the Secretary of State or local tribal government. To be eligible, a business must have exhausted the grant opportunities made available through the Business Stabilization or Agriculture Adaptability grant programs. Nonprofit entities are not eligible. Total funding available is $2 million. Applications open August 19, 2020.
Apply Here

*NEW* Montana Loan Deferment Program, Montana Board of Investments and Department of Revenue
The Montana Loan Deferment Program is facilitated by Montana banks, credit unions, and lending institutions in partnership with the State of Montana. The governor is directing $125 million to the program with $25 million specifically dedicated to hotels and restaurants and the remaining $100 million dedicated to other eligible borrowers. Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) will be used to provide payments to participating lenders to convert existing commercial loans to interest only status, with the result being an existing borrower will be able to defer principal and interest payments on existing loans for a period of 6 to 12 months, thereby freeing up a significant amount of otherwise-dedicated capital for the borrower on a monthly basis.  Upon approval, the State of Montana will provide a lump sum CRF payment to the lender in an amount equal to the following:

• For borrower obligations with interest rates less than 6%, an amount equal to the full interest payments for the eligible term will be funded; or
• For borrower obligations with interest rates of 6% or higher, an amount equal to 6% interest will be funded.
• For the duration of the eligible term, the lender will lower the interest rate to 6% for the modified deferral period.
• For variable rate loans, the interest rate used in the calculation will be the interest rate applicable to the loan at the time the application is submitted and will be fixed at that interest rate for the term of the deferment.
• Entities and individuals with multiple loans for one or several businesses will be allowed to apply for each individual loan
• Borrower is defined as an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or any combination of these if there is common ownership. Including Holding and Operating Companies. [Updated: July 1, 2020]
• It is the responsibility of the Lender and the Borrower to agree on a reasonable term for the deferment which will be no less than 6 months and no more than 12 months.

Eligibility

• The Lender must be an Approved Lender with Montana Board of Investments (MBOI).
• The Borrower must be a Montana-based business. Borrower is defined as an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or any combination of these if there is common ownership. Including Holding and Operating Companies. [Updated: July 1, 2020] 
• This program is extended on a per note basis, i.e. Lender’s may fill out an application for each current loan the Borrower would like deferred.
• To be eligible, businesses/Borrowers must have:
  • Experienced a reduction of gross revenue of 15% or greater attributable to the direct or indirect impacts from COVID-19; [Updated: August 24, 2020]
  • Physical presence in Montana;
  • Been no more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019;
  • Been current on all other state financial obligations (i.e. income tax, property tax, payroll tax, worker’s comp, child support, etc.) as of March 12, 2020;
  • Good standing with the Montana Secretary of State; and
  • No reasonable access to 12 months of working capital from any other sources.
  • Receipt of Payroll Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, or other state grants or assistance programs does not affect eligibility. [Updated: July 1, 2020]

Application Deadlines, Awards and Funding

• Applications received between August 22, 2020 and September 4, 2020 will be funded on September 15. [Updated August 24, 2020]
• Applications received between September 5, 2020 and September 18, 2020 will be funded on September 29, 2020.
• No new applications will be accepted after 5PM on September 18, 2020. [Updated August 24, 2020]
• For any applications requiring additional review or audit, all materials must be submitted by October 21, 2020 or the application will not be considered for funding. [Updated August 24, 2020]

Montana businesses should contact their lender to access the program.

*NEW* Montana Business Adaptability Grant Program, administered by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation 
 Adaptability Program will provide reimbursement for COVID-19 expenses related to keeping staff and customers safe – from the purchase of personal protective equipment to resources needed for staff to work remotely. Eligible business must be Montana-based, have incurred eligible adaptation expenses since March 1 due to COVID-19, and be in good standing with the Secretary of State or local tribal government. Nonprofit entities are eligible. Eligible expenses include costs related to communication, remote work equipment, cleaning supplies, tools to enhance social distancing and sanitation, travel and hotel costs related to quarantining workers. Total funding available is $20 million. Eligible businesses may submit up to two applications for a combined total of $10,000 of costs paid (receipts and proof of payment are required) for reimbursement.
Apply Here

*NEW* Montana Arts Council CARES Individuals provides up to $2,500 to creative industry professionals impacted by COVID-19. Apply by 9/21/2020. Guidelines and more information at art.mt.gov. 
Apply at art.mt.gov/application. 

*NEW* Montana Arts Council CARES Recovery accepts reimbursement requests for up to $1,000 related to canceled and postpones cultural events. This grant is open to artists and eligible non-profits that offer public arts programming, including Tribes and municipalities. Apply by 9/21/2020. Guidelines and more information at art.mt.gov.  
Apply at art.mt.gov/application. 

*NEW* Local Government Reimbursement Program
Reimbursement is available to local governments as part of the CARES Act and the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) grant program for direct costs associated with COVID-19. Application materials are now available for the third reimbursement cycle, closing September 25, 2020. This program continues to be administered by the Local Government Services (LGS) Bureau at the Department of Administration, in consultation with the Governor’s Office of Budget and Program Planning and Department of Military Affairs Disaster and Emergency Services Division. Requests for reimbursement must be submitted by June 12, July 24, September 25, early December, and mid-January. Per the COVID-19 reimbursement form, localities must list actual costs incurred related to COVID-19 and provide sufficient documentation to support incurred costs. Reimbursement requests must be certified and signed by a member of the local governing body.
http://sfsd.mt.gov/LGSB/COVID-Relief

*NEW* Montana Department of Commerce, Emergency Housing Assistance Program
The Emergency Housing Assistance program will provide rent, security deposit, mortgage payment, and/ or hazard insurance assistance as-needed for Montanans who have lost a job or substantial income loss as a result of COVID-19. Montana Housing will pay the difference between 25 percent of the household’s reduced net monthly income due to COVID-19 impact, and their eligible housing assistance costs, with a minimum payment of $250 per month and up to $2,000 a month. Household income limits range from $75,000-$125,000 based on family size. Montanans receiving other forms of housing assistance are not eligible. Total funding available is $50 million.
406.841.2840 | HOUSING.MT.GOV
Apply Here

*UPDATED* Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Social Services Nonprofit Grants
Round 1 Criteria: Grants of up to $10,000 per applicant are available for nonprofit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency to retain existing programs and services, employees, or organizational viability for provision of future services and operations. Eligible applicants are registered, Montana-based social service nonprofits that were operating prior to February 15, 2020. This includes senior services, housing services, transportation, public safety, energy assistance, economic development, job training, recreational services and tourism-related activities. Current funding available is $10 million. Each eligible nonprofit may only submit one application. Round 1 of Social Services Nonprofits has been closed as of 9/10. 

Round 2 grant applications will become available beginning on September 15th, 2020.  Round 1 awardees who have submitted an application DO NOT need to reapply.  You will receive an additional form by email provided in your original application with instructions for applying for Round 2 funding.

New applicants who have not submitted will be able to access the applications on the link that will be live here on September 15th.

Criteria:

In Round 2, there will be grants available for nonprofits equal to 10% of their 2019 operating budgets, as evidenced in their 2019 Form 990s (2018 Form 990 will also be accepted).  Nonprofits that have already received Round 1 funding must have an annual operating budget of at least $20,000 to apply for Round 2 funding.

• The maximum grant amount is $150,000. 
• Nonprofits who did not participate in Round 1 may still apply for Round 2.

1.888.333.0461 | DPHHS.MT.GOV

*NEW* Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Supporting Montana’s Families School-aged Child Care Grant
During the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations are offering programs for school age children to meet the needs of working parents, and children affected during out of school time. Grants are available to organizations who are providing out of school time programs. Eligible programs are for-profit business, non-profit organizations, school/school districts, community organizations, summer camps, and licensed childcare programs that serve children aged 5 to 18 in out of school time programming during the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant is based on the average daily attendance at a $1000 per child, per month rate. Programs must demonstrate how they will serve at least 25% low-income children.  Funds can be used to support additional costs associated with meeting health and safety needs and reduced revenue due to COVID-19 emergency.

Current funding available is $30 million. 1.888.333.0461

*NEW* Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Behavioral Health Grants
Grants are available for Montana licensed behavioral health providers impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency to retain existing programs and services, employees, or organizational viability for provision of future services and operations. Providers can receive grants up to 8% of their annual Montana behavioral health patient revenues OR demonstrated lost behavioral health patient revenues between March and June 2020 (whichever is the lesser amount). Current funding available is $33 million. Each eligible provider may only be awarded one behavioral health grant.
1.888.333.0461 | DPHHS.MT.GOV