• About
  • Boards
  • Grants + Loans
  • Public Participation
  • Meetings + Events
  • News
  • Contact Us
Department Of Commerce Logo Department Of Commerce
  • DATA + RESEARCH
    • Business + Industry
    • Business Climate
    • Business Assets and Opportunities
    • Resort Tax Analysis
    • Tourism
    • Workforce
      •  
    Government
      •  
    State Government Finances
      •  
    US Census Bureau Programs
     
      •  
    People and Housing
      •  
    Additional Resources
      •  
    Community Profiles
      •  
    Housing
      •  
    Income and Employment
      •  
    Population
  • HOUSING
    • Homeownership
    • FAQs
    • Reverse Annuity Mortgages
    • Home Loans
    • Down Payment Assistance
    • Borrower Portal
    • Current Rates, Income and Purchase Price Limits
    • Participating Lenders
    • Homebuyer Education
    • Recapture Tax
    • Homeowner Assistance Fund
    • Homeowners
    • Montana Emergency Rental Assistance Program
    • Search Montana Rentals
    • Housing Choice Voucher Program
    • Landlords
    • Utility Allowances
    • Emergency Housing Voucher Program
    • Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing
    • Project-Based Section 8
    • Section 811 Supportive Housing
    • Field Agencies
    • HOME-ARP and ESFG
    • HOME Program
    • Housing Trust Fund
    • Uniform Application
    • Community Development Block Grant
    • Community Development Block Grant Cares
     
    • Multifamily Development
    • Compliance
    • Housing Credit
    • Housing Preservation Resources
    • Multifamily Funding Sources
    • Lenders + Realtors
    • Down Payment Assistance
    • Set-aside Programs
    • Veterans' Home Loan Program
    • Community Land Trust
    • 80% Combined Program
    • Habitat for Humanity
    • Mortgage Credit Certificate Program
    • Current Rates, Income and Purchase Limits
    • Recapture Tax
    • Become a Participating Lender
    • Homebuyer Education
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Program Updates
    • Montana Board of Housing
    • 50 Years (1975-2025)
    • Investors
    • Landlord Portal
    • Forms
    • Field Agencies
    • Borrower Portal
    • About
    • Fair Housing
    • Housing Coordinating Team
    • Montana Housing Partnership Conference
    • Resources
  • INFRASTRUCTURE + PLANNING
    • Programs + Services
    • Community Technical Assistance
    • Grants + Loans
    • Pilot Community Tourism Grant Program
    • Montana Main Street Program
    • Montana Ready Communities Initiative
    • Montana Emergency Tourism Assistance Program
    • Delivering Local Assistance Program
    • Opportunity Zones
    • Montana Facility Finance Authority
    • Montana Coal Endowment
    • State-Local Infrastructure Partnership Act
    • Community Development Block Grant Program
    • Montana Community Reinvestment
    • Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing
    • Consolidated Plan
    • Boards
    • Grant Information
    • Montana Historic Preservation Grant
  • BUSINESS
    • Start Up
    • Business Planning Tools
    • Business Counseling
    • Small Business Development Center
    • Grants and Loans
    • Expand
    • Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit
    • Grants and Loans
    • Small Business Development Center
    • Business Counseling
    • Export Montana
    • Locate
    • Invest
    • Workforce
    • Infrastructure
    • Business Climate
    • Programs + Services
    • Montana Film Office
    • Programs + Services
    • Montana Film Office
    • Made in Montana
    • Choose Montana
    • Montana Facility Finance Authority
    • Tourism and Marketing
    • C-PACE
    • Small Business Development Center
    • Indian Country
    • Indian Country Financial Assistance
    • State Tribal Economic Development Commission
    • Tribal Tourism
    • Success Stories
    • Export Resources
    • Indian Country Resources
    • Small Business Disaster
    • Resources
    • Government Contracting
    • Veteran Entrepreneurs
    • Business Licensing
    • Women Entrepreneurs
    • Training and Workshops
    • Partners
    • Intellectual Property
  • About
  • Boards
  • Grants + Loans
  • Public Participation
  • Meetings + Events
  • News
  • Contact Us
  • Business
    Resources
    • Business
      Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business
    Export Resources Intellectual Property Small Business Disaster Resources Partners Resources Government Contracting The Montana Financial Assistance Center Women Entrepreneurs Veteran Entrepreneurs Business Licensing Training and Workshops Small Business Development Center Indian Country Resources
    Indian Country
    • Business
      Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business
    Indian Country Financial Assistance Indian Country State Tribal Economic Development Commission Tribal Tourism Success Stories Indian Country Programs
    Programs and Services
    • Business
      Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business
    C-PACE Tourism & Marketing Montana Film Office Choose Montana Small Business Development Center Made in Montana Montana Facility Finance Authority Programs and Services
    Locate
    • Business
      Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business
    Locate Workforce Invest Business Assets and Opportunities Business Climate
    Expand
    • Business
      Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business
    Export-Montana Expand Small Business Development Center Business Counseling Grants and Loans
    Start Up
    • Business
      Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business
    Small Business Development Startup Business Planning Tools Grants and Loans Business Counseling
    Business Assistance
    • Business
      Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business Business
    Business Assistance The Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund Microbusiness Finance Program Montana Automation Loan Program Montana SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program Montana State Small Business Credit Initiative Montana Wood Products Revolving Loan Program Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit Certified Regional Development Corporations Opportunities in Rural Economies Small Business Development Center
  • Infrastructure + Planning
    Grants and Loans
    • Infrastructure + Planning
      Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning
    Grants and Loans Montana Historic Preservation Grant
    Resources
    • Infrastructure + Planning
      Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning
    Opportunity Zones Consolidated Plan Resources Past Programs Census and Target Rate Census Geography Map Income and Rent Limits Resources for Flooding Recovery
    Programs and Services
    • Infrastructure + Planning
      Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning
    Community Planning Platform Community Technical Assistance Community Development Block Grant Montana Coal Endowment Program Montana Main Street Program Montana Ready Communities Initiative Programs and Services Delivering Local Assistance Program Montana Emergency Tourism Assistance Program Montana Community Reinvestment Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing State-Local Infrastructure Partnership Act Montana Facility Finance Authority
    Past Programs
    • Infrastructure + Planning
      Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning Infrastructure + Planning
    Past Programs Delivering Local Assistance Program
  • Housing
    Borrower Portal Landlords
    • Housing
      Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Borrower Portal Housing Resources Housing Coordinating Team Fair Housing About Montana Housing Partnership Conference
    Landlords Field Agencies Forms Landlord Portal
    Montana Board of Housing
    • Housing
      Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Borrower Portal Housing Resources Housing Coordinating Team Fair Housing About Montana Housing Partnership Conference
    Montana Board of Housing Investors 50 Years
    Lenders and Realtors
    • Housing
      Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Borrower Portal Housing Resources Housing Coordinating Team Fair Housing About Montana Housing Partnership Conference
    Lenders and Realtors Regular Bond Loan Program Set-aside Programs Veterans Home Loan Program Community Land Trust 80% Combined Program Habitat for Humanity Mortgage Credit Certificate Program Frequently Asked Questions Program Updates Become a Participating Lender Down Payment Assistance Current Rates, Income and Purchase Price Limits Recapture Tax
    Developers
    • Housing
      Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Borrower Portal Housing Resources Housing Coordinating Team Fair Housing About Montana Housing Partnership Conference
    Compliance Housing Credit Developers Multifamily Funding Sources Multifamily Development Housing Preservation Resources
    Homeownership
    • Housing
      Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Borrower Portal Housing Resources Housing Coordinating Team Fair Housing About Montana Housing Partnership Conference
    Homeownership Homebuyers Home Loans Down Payment Assistance Current Rates, Income and Purchase Price Limits Participating Lenders Homebuyer Education Recapture Tax Mortgage FAQs Reverse Annuity Mortgages Homeowner Assistance Fund Homeowner Assistance Fund FAQs Homeowners
    Rental Assistance
    • Housing
      Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Borrower Portal Housing Resources Housing Coordinating Team Fair Housing About Montana Housing Partnership Conference
    Project-Based Section 8 Portability Rental Assistance Montana Emergency Rental Assistance Program Search Montana Rentals Housing Choice Voucher Program Emergency Housing Voucher Program Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Section 811 Supportive Housing Landlords Utility Allowances Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) Referring Agencies Admin Plan Field Agencies
    Community Housing
    • Housing
      Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Borrower Portal Housing Resources Housing Coordinating Team Fair Housing About Montana Housing Partnership Conference
    Community Housing HOME Investment Partnerships Program HOME-ARP and Emergency Shelter Facility Grant Housing Trust Fund Uniform Application Community Development Block Grant - Housing Community Development Block Grant CARES
    Resources Housing Coordinating Team Fair Housing About Montana Housing Partnership Conference
  • Data + Research
    Tourism Research
    • Data + Research
      Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Resort Tax Analysis Data + Research
    Programs Industry Industry Development Program Business Research and Information Services Research Tourism Research Business Climate Workforce
    Business + Industry
    • Data + Research
      Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Resort Tax Analysis Data + Research
    Tourism Business + Industry Business Assets and Opportunities Industry Economic Indicators Business Development
    People and Housing
    • Data + Research
      Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Resort Tax Analysis Data + Research
    Population Housing People and Housing Income and Employment Community Profiles Additional Resources
    Resort Tax Analysis Government
    • Data + Research
      Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Data + Research Resort Tax Analysis Data + Research
    US Census Bureau Programs Government State Government Finances Apportionment Montana State Data Center

Economic Development

Missoula
  • Programs and Services
    • Community Development Block Grant
      • CDBG Grant Administration Manual
      • Community Development Block Grant Cares
      • Community Development Block Grant Housing
      • Davis Bacon Wage Determinations
      • Economic Development
      • Planning Activities
      • Public and Community Facilities
      • Section 3 and DBE/MBE/WBE

Economic Development

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

To view the Draft CDBG Economic Development Application and Guidelines, click on the Applying for Grants tab below.

Montana’s CDBG Economic Development (CDBG-ED) program is designed to stimulate economic development activity by assisting Montana’s private sector to create or retain jobs for LMI Montanans, specifically, this includes individuals earning less than 80% of the area median income.

The program can assist businesses by awarding grants to local governments and making fixed-rate financing available to those businesses at low interest rates. In addition, the program can offer payment deferrals, lower first-year payments, and interest-only payments.
Businesses work with local governments to apply to the program, and the local government then loans to an eligible business or grants to a non-profit. CDBG-ED funds are intended to be used in situations where a funding gap exists, and alternative sources of public and private financing are not adequate.

The focus of the program is to support the creation or retention of full-time permanent jobs for Montanans. Loan amounts are based on the number of employees a business will retain or the number of new positions to be created. Loan terms are determined according to the use of funds and the businesses financial position. The business must ensure that at least 51% of the jobs are made available to, or held by, individuals earning less than 80% of the area median income.

  • Eligibility
  • Applying for Grants
  • Administering a Grant
  • Commonly Used Forms
  • Toolkit

Eligible Projects

Job Creation/Retention:

The CDBG-ED Program is designed to stimulate economic development activity by assisting the private sector to create or retain jobs for LMI persons primarily through loans to businesses. The program is designed to assist businesses by making fixed-rate financing available to them at reasonable interest rates, given the risk of the project, and to provide public improvements in support of economic development activities.

Customized Employee Training:

Employee training is a stand-alone project activity for new and expanding businesses creating additional jobs. The intent is to assist businesses in providing needed skills and better paying jobs for their workers.

Public Service:

Funds may be distributed to qualified community colleges that provide job training targeted to developing specific employee skills needed by an aggregate of companies.

Economic Development Administration:

Commerce has a separate pool of funds originating from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (CDBG-EDA). The CDBG-EDA program is designed to stimulate economic development activity by assisting the private sector to create or retain jobs for LMI persons primarily through loans to businesses. The program rules and regulations are based on the CDBG-ED program with a few minor changes.


Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are limited to counties, incorporated cities and towns, and consolidated city-county governments except Billings, Great Falls, and Missoula. The local government must apply on behalf of the business needing the funds. Local governments typically partner with a Certified Regional Development Corporation (CDRD) to prepare an application, complete the project, document compliance with CDBG requirements, track the jobs created or retained, and administer the loan.

CDBG-ED applications are accepted on an open-cycle basis. To apply for any of the funding approved through the competitive ranking process, eligible applicants must submit an application containing the material required in the current CDBG-ED Application Guidelines.

Commerce staff will review CDBG-ED applications for technical and financial feasibility, the extent to which the proposed project relates to each of the ranking criteria, and conformance to federal and State CDBG requirements. Individual awards will be awarded in proportion to the number of jobs that will be created or retained. The actual number of awards will be subject to funding.

Successful applicants must comply with all applicable parts of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §5301, et seq.; the applicable HUD regulations, including, but not limited to 24 CFR Part 570 and Form HUD-4010; all administrative directives and procedures established by the Department, including the most recent version of the GAM; and all other applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, administrative directives, procedures, ordinances, or resolutions. Projects must be completed in accordance with the applicable local, state, and federal laws.


Application Process

The application guidelines are formally adopted through the State of Montana Administrative Rulemaking process during which the public has an opportunity to comment on draft guidelines. Public comments will be considered before the final version is adopted.

The final CDBG-ED Application Guidelines consist of ranking criteria with specific questions requiring narrative responses and identify supporting documents that will improve the strength of the application. In order to avoid unnecessary duplication, the applicant can reference other pertinent portions of the application or appendices in the narrative responses to the criteria. However, the applicant should not reference another portion of the application, such as a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER), without including a narrative statement that provides at least a summary of what is being referenced.

Each application will be evaluated according to each CDBG-ED ranking criteria and will receive points depending upon its overall response to each criterion, relative to local capacity and resources and in comparison with other applications submitted. Failure to respond to a criterion or to comply with a pertinent and important application requirement may result in no points being awarded for that criterion. For ease of reference, any documentation or exhibits related to the applicant’s response to a CDBG-ED ranking criterion should be placed in the application immediately following the applicant’s narrative response to that criterion.

One electronic copy of the CDBG application and the Preliminary Architectural Report or PER (as applicable) are required on or before the application due date.

Updated Process! Effective immediately, there is a new option to submit your grant application through the Montana Grants and Loans Portal.

Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified once the final funding decisions are made. All applicants will have the opportunity to meet with CDBG staff and discuss their application’s success and opportunities for improvement. These meetings are intended to help unsuccessful applicants identify areas of improvement for future CDBG-ED applications.


Application Forms

The Economic Development Grant Application Guidelines are available below. Please contact the program if you have any questions or need additional information.

Clarification on CDBG Application Eligibility (January 2019):

Each eligible local government jurisdiction may apply once per application cycle for each of the categories of CDBG grants as long as the applicant does not have an open CDBG project that was awarded more than four (4) years ago. Community Facilities and Public Facilities are considered one grant funding category. The categories of CDBG grant are 1. Community and Public Facilities, 2. Affordable Housing Development, 3. Economic Development, and 4. Planning. If an applicant has an open CDBG project category, that has been awarded in the past four (4) years, that is not substantially complete, a new project application is ineligible. If an applicant has an open CDBG project in a CDBG project category, that has been awarded in the past four (4) years, that is substantially complete, a new project application is eligible.


2022 CDBG-ED Application Guidelines:

2022 CDBG-ED Application: ( PDF) ( Word)
2022 CDBG-ED Guidelines: ( PDF) ( Word)


Appendix A: Resolution to Authorize Submission of CDBG Application (PDF)

Appendix B: Certification for Application (PDF)

Appendix C: Local Development Organization and Subrecipient Application Certification (Word)

Appendix D: Public Hearing Requirements (PDF)

Appendix E: Documenting Jobs (PDF)

Appendix F: Business Plan (PDF)

Appendix G: Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement (Word)

Appendix H: Anti-Pirating Certification (PDF)

Appendix I: Sources and Uses Form (Word)

Appendix J: Hiring and Training Plan (PDF)

Appendix K: Balance Sheet (Excel)

Appendix L: LMI Income Certification (Word)

Appendix M: Revolving Loan Fund Plan (Word)

Appendix N: Draft Project Management Plan (PDF)

Appendix O: Draft Project Implementation Plan (Word)

Appendix P: Pre-Award Environmental Checklist

Appendix Q: National and State Objectives (PDF)

Local governments are responsible for carrying out project activities commensurate with the project application and complying with all applicable state, federal, and local requirements. Commerce is committed to working closely with grantees and their partners to complete CDBG-ED assisted projects that successfully meet local needs and complies with program requirements.

Certain federal regulations and policies govern the use of CDBG-ED funds, and CDBG-ED assisted projects must also comply with state law and local ordinances and policies. No two projects are exactly alike and staff will provide technical assistance throughout the course of a project to help grantees identify, understand, and fulfill requirements applicable to your project. Staff are equipped with the knowledge, resources, and experience to effectively navigate CDBG-ED grant administration requirements and help you successfully complete your project.

In addition to CDBG staff, Commerce publications such as the GAM and Toolkit are available to help grant administrators document every step of the project. The GAM helps grant administrators understand the various state and federal requirements with which CDBG-ED assisted projects must comply. The GAMis designed to walk grant administrators through each step in the life of a project, from notice of grant award to final closeout, and its organization mirrors the lifecycle of most projects. The Toolkit is a compilation of required forms and processes, suggestions, and best practices we have developed over the last 25 years of the State CDBG Program.

Project Lifespan And Deadlines

Funded CDBG-ED projects must be completed within two (2) years of the formal notice of award. For example, a CDBG-ED project awarded July 1, 2016 must be completed by July 1, 2018. Each project is expected to produce the documentation necessary to execute a contract with Commerce within three (3) months of the formal notice of award. Once the contract is executed, each project is expected to submit a Request for Reimbursement once every six (6) months and provide accomplishment data pertaining to the number of jobs created or retained every quarter.

Non-Disclosure Agreement  (Word)

Employment Tracking Spreadsheet  (Excel)

Draw Request Form  (Excel)

Project Progress Report  (Word)

Signature Certification Form  (Word)

Designation of Depository  (Word)

Uniform Status of Funds  (Excel)

Uniform Invoice Tracking  (Excel)

Hiring and Training Plan  (Word)

Please use this Toolkit page to find information regarding common topics and assistance discussed with grantees. If you have questions regarding the CDBG Program that are not addressed here, please contact the CDBG Staff.


Anti-Pirating Certification (Word)

Customized Training Plan (Word)

Employment Tracking Workbook (Excel)

Hiring and Training Plan (Word)

Income Certification (Word)

Revolving Loan Fund Plan (Word)

Sample Business Plan (Word)

Training Agreement (Word)

state shape of Montana

Department of Commerce Logo - An outline of the state of Montana with the word Commerce displayed laterally to the left.

  • BOARDS
  • CONTACT US
  • EVENTS
  • GRANTS + LOANS
  • LEGAL AFFAIRS
  • NEWS
  • PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
  • Newsletter Sign-Up

Montana Department of Commerce
301 S Park Ave, Helena, MT 59620
Contact Us | 406-841-2700
Montana Relay 711
Equal Housing Logo



  • Social Media Policy