MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock and Lt. Governor Mike Cooney today sent a letter urging the U.S. Census Bureau to continue 2020 Census operations through its extended deadline of October 31 to get an accurate count for Montana while allowing for continued health and safety measures to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The Montana Department of Commerce announced Tuesday that Montana Housing and NeighborWorks Montana will partner to increase awareness of the availability of rent and mortgage payment assistance as federal unemployment insurance benefits expire.

MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock today issued a directive requiring face coverings in certain indoor spaces and for certain organized outdoor activities in counties currently experiencing four or more active cases of COVID-19 to slow the spread of the virus in Montana.

Lieutenant Governor Mike Cooney joined a dedication ceremony this afternoon to celebrate the completed construction of six new affordable Habitat for Humanity homes at Mountain View Meadows in Helena. The dedication honored the work of the six “owner-builder” families and others who have worked to complete the homes.

In the 25 years that Bruce Brensdal has led Montana Housing at the Department of Commerce, he’s overseen more than $4 billion in funding for affordable homes across the state. That’s meant thousands of Montana individuals and families have been able to access affordable and safe homes in communities in every corner of the state.

MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock today announced the creation of a loan deferment program to assist Montana businesses impacted by COVID-19.

MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock today announced funding through the federal CARES Act will be used to boost in-state processing and storage capacity for local meat processors, to provide additional financial assistance for small businesses, and to reimburse local governments for COVID-19 related expenses.

More than half of Montana households have now self-responded to the 2020 Census, yet the state still lags behind the national average for responding to the once-in-a-decade count.

Montana Housing at the Department of Commerce is reminding Montanans that $50 million is available for rent and mortgage assistance for Montanans who have lost a job or income as a result of COVID-19. 

MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock today announced the state will move to Phase Two of the Reopening the Big Sky plan and will lift the 14-day out-of-state travel quarantine beginning June 1 as Montana continues to have the lowest number of positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations per capita.