Montana Department of Commerce Awards Job Creation and Planning Grants to Eight Montana Communities

June 12 2023

HELENA, Mont., – The Montana Department of Commerce (Department) announced today that nearly $798,000 of grant funding has been awarded to grow and support businesses in eight Montana communities. The job creation and planning grant funding is provided by the Department’s Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF).

“Resilient, good paying jobs are at the core of creating financial strength for Montana communities. Big Sky Trust Fund grants help them plan for future growth and create long-term employment for the people that live in these communities,” said Scott Osterman, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce.

BSTF Job Creation grants are awarded to local and tribal governments to create good paying jobs for residents. In addition to grants, BSTF also provides funding for loans. BSTF Job Creation grant funding has been awarded to:

Billings - Big Sky Economic Development Authority received $30,000 of BSTF job creation funds to assist Dsoft Technology Company with the creation of six jobs over two years. Dsoft Technology Company specializes in information technology, engineering and analysis consulting services and solutions.
Kalispell - Flathead County Economic Development Authority received $29,400 of BSTF job creation funds to assist EndPoint Utility LP with the creation of six jobs over two years. EndPoint Utility LP delivers a turnkey, end-user computing architecture that is simple and secure with a predictable cost structure.
Libby - Lincoln County Port Authority received $284,000 of BSTF job creation funds to assist Nomad Global Communications Solutions, Inc. with the creation of 40 jobs over two years. Nomad Global Communications Solutions, Inc. provides advanced interoperable communication solutions to the public and private sectors. Nomad will expand its operation to include a second facility in Lincoln County.
Missoula - Missoula County received $240,000 of BSTF job creation funds to assist PDT Inc. dba Paradise Dental Technologies with the creation of 48 jobs over two years. PDT Inc. provides ergonomic dental instruments to the dental industry.
Missoula - Missoula County received $50,000 of BSTF job creation funds to assist Cascadia Management Group, LLC with the creation of 10 jobs over two years. Cascadia Management Group, LLC is a multi-disciplinary management consulting and business transformation firm.
Missoula - Missoula County received $35,100 of BSTF job creation funds to assist Botanie Natural Soap, Inc. with the creation of nine jobs over one year. Botanie Natural Soap, Inc. manufactures bar and liquid soap in short-run quantities for private label use.
Noxon - Sanders County received $35,500 of BSTF job creation funds to assist Bear & Croc, LLC dba Scotchman’s Coffee with the creation of five jobs over two years. Bear & Croc, LLC is a small batch specialty coffee roasting business, coffee shop, and restaurant.

BSTF Economic Development Planning grants are awarded to eligible Certified Regional Development Corporations (CRDCs), as well as tribal or local governments to assist with economic development planning efforts that promote long-term, stable economic growth in Montana. BSTF Economic Development Planning grant funding has been awarded to:

Billings - Big Sky Economic Development Authority received $9,000 of BSTF planning funds to assist Undammed Distilling Company with a conceptual design. Undammed Distilling Company manufactures high-end spirits.
Butte - Headwaters RC&D Area, Inc. received $27,000 of BSTF planning funds to assist 40 East Broadway, LLC with planning activities leading to the preparation of a Historic Tax Credit application. 40 East Broadway wants to renovate five buildings in uptown Butte.
Columbia Falls - Mission West Community Development Partners received $20,250 of BSTF planning funds to assist Glacier Processing Cooperative with a feasibility study on purchasing and expanding an existing meat processing facility.
Helena - Montana Business Assistance Connection Inc. received $10,800 of BSTF planning funds to assist Old Salt Co-op LLC with a feasibility study for a USDA-inspected livestock slaughter and meat processing facility. Old Salt Co-op owns and operates a small meat processing facility, a downtown burger restaurant, and a direct-to-consumer meat product sales enterprise.
Helena - Montana Business Assistance Connection Inc. received $27,000 of BSTF planning funds to assist Medicine Springs, Inc. with a manufacturing feasibility study. Medicine Springs is a mineral-based hydrotherapy company.

“By utilizing the Big Sky Trust Fund (BSTF) grant, we continue to grow our workforce and manufacturing capacity here at Nomad Global Communication Solutions (Nomad GCS). BSTF funding has been vital as we invest in our workforce with higher wages, more tooling and better facilities,” said Clay Binford, Chief of People and Development at Nomad GCS. “In addition to higher paying jobs, Nomad has been able to provide better benefits and more professional growth opportunities. The State of Montana’s grant investment has directly impacted our ability to generate higher revenue, which is then invested back into Montana employees and business.”
In the 2023 fiscal year, the Montana Department of Commerce has awarded $3,741,500 to support the creation of 740 jobs. An additional $265,656 was awarded for 13 different planning projects in the state.

BSTF programs support the development of good paying jobs for residents and promote long-term, stable economic growth in Montana. For more information, contact Annmarie Robinson at the Montana Department of Commerce at 406.841.2250 or visit business.mt.gov.

Tags: Business MT

Montana Department of Commerce Awards Job Creation and Planning Grants to Eight Montana Communities

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