The Montana Department of Commerce announced Thursday it has been awarded a federal grant of more than $525,000 to help Montana-made businesses export and promote products to international markets.

Montana businesses are now eligible to apply for workforce recovery grant dollars to help companies refill jobs that were lost due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Montana Department of Commerce has launched a temporary Workforce Recovery grant program as part of the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF). Montana businesses are now eligible to apply for workforce recovery grant dollars to help companies refill jobs that were lost due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Montana Department of Commerce has launched a temporary Workforce Recovery grant program as part of the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF). 

Governor Steve Bullock and Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney applauded a decision by a U.S. District Court yesterday evening to extend the deadline for the 2020 Census to allow more time for a complete count of Montana’s residents and announced additional funding for Census outreach.

Montana 2020 Census partner, the Montana Nonprofit Association, is co-hosting Census events across the state in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau to encourage Montana residents to respond to the 2020 Census before the deadline of September 30. The Montana Nonprofit Association is helping to organize eight mobile questionnaire assistance events from now through September 30 in Winnett, Superior, Sheridan, Ryegate, Missoula and Pablo.

The Montana Department of Commerce today announced that six Made in Montana program members will produce 25,000 masks as part of the state’s “Montana Aware” initiative to promote safe and responsible fall travel. 

The Montana State Library, in partnership with the Montana Department of Commerce and State Complete Count Committee, is launching a week of activities at public libraries across the state to encourage Montana residents to be counted in the 2020 Census before the deadline of September 30. “It’s Not Too Late to Be Counted…at the Library” week will run from Monday, September 21 through Saturday, September 26.

Montana Housing at the Department of Commerce announced Thursday two new housing assistance programs that will provide at least $550,000 of federal CARES Act funding for deposit assistance and assistance for repairs and upgrades for renters and landlords who participate in the Housing Choice Voucher, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH), and Mainstream Voucher programs.  

Starting September 16, 2020 to October 15, 2020, Montana Housing will accept and record public comments regarding the Housing Credit Program 2022 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP). All comments will be given due consideration in the final 2022 QAP to be presented to the Montana Board of Housing on November 2, 2020.

The Montana Department of Commerce today launched the 2020 Census State Championship to encourage counties and tribes in Montana to compete for the highest increase in self-response rates to the 2020 Census from now until September 30. With only 15 days left in the 2020 Census count, the Commerce Department and the Montana Complete Count Committee are urging every Montana resident to respond to the 2020 Census before the shortened deadline of September 30.

MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock today announced additional funding from the Coronavirus Relief Fund will be directed to the Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant and Social Services Nonprofit Grant programs to fully address identified needs.