Commerce’s Small Business Programs Create Space for Rural Prosperity
When Jamie and Justin McMillan purchased a vacant church in downtown Glendive, they weren’t just restoring a building; they were helping rebuild a sense of connection and possibility in rural Montana. With support from the Montana Department of Commerce’s State Small Business Credit Initiative Loan Participation Program and MoFi, a participating lender, the couple transformed the nineteenth-century structure into a vibrant community venue known as 1893 Matthew’s House.
The SSBCI was authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to alleviate the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Commerce’s SSBCI 2.0 Loan Participation Program connects Montana businesses to lenders who will work with both Commerce and the business to provide needed capital through loans the business may not otherwise be able to secure.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the MT SSBCI 2.0 LLP funding, which provided an attractive and supportive way to structure the financing for 1893 Matthew’s House,” said Jamie McMillan. “In a time when local financing for commercial properties has been rigid, this program made it easier. The interest relief has allowed us to reinvest in the space and expand what we’re able to offer our community. Programs like this make a meaningful difference for small business owners trying to build something lasting in rural Montana.”
In a town where options for family and community events are limited, 1893 Matthew’s House now offers a unique gathering space with room for celebrations and meetings, a nursery and rentable office space. The project highlights how targeted investment can drive lasting change in rural communities, advancing both small business sustainability and local quality of life.
The SSBCI LPP is part of the Commerce Business MT Division’s business technical and financial assistance suite of support opportunities. Along with the SSBCI, the Opportunities in Rural Economies Loan Participation Program helps give small and rural Montana businesses the chance to start up, stabilize or grow. For projects like 1893 Matthew’s House, programs like these open the door for a previously unused building in Glendive to serve the community as a gathering space while preserving the town’s history.
From revitalized historic buildings to new commercial ventures, Commerce’s SSBCI program and Opportunities in Rural Economies Loan Participation Programs are designed to meet rural communities where they are offering flexible capital, local partnerships and a path forward for entrepreneurs across the state.
To learn more about the SSBCI Loan Participation Program or ORE Loan Participation Program and how they’re helping Montana businesses grow, visit commerce.mt.gov.
Tags: Article
