Commerce Awards 21 Tribal Tourism Small Business Grants
Photo Information
HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that 21 Montana businesses will share $210,000 of grant funding to assist small start-up or expanding Native American-owned tourism businesses. The funding is through Commerce’s Tribal Tourism Small Business Grant Program.
“With the start-up or expansion of these small businesses, Commerce continues to be a partner in economic development success for our tribal communities,” said Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio.
The following businesses will receive TTSB grant funding:
In 2025, Assiniboine Books in Wolf Point received $10,000 of TTSB grant funding for the development and production of Assiniboine language learning books, coloring books and calendars. The company became a member of Commerce’s Native American Made in Montana Program and exhibited at the 2026 Made in Montana Trade Show in Helena to engage in the wholesale marketplace.
Vicki Bisbee, Assiniboine Books owner said, “Receiving a TTSB grant has taken a load off my mind. I first published ‘Basic Words and Counting 1-10,’ using retirement money. With this awesome grant, I was able to publish a powwow calendar and two more books: ‘Counting 11-20’ and ‘Colors,’ a Native American coloring book.”
The TTSB grant cycle budget is $240,000, with a maximum award amount of $10,000 and no match required. The program aims to award approximately 24 grants to enrolled citizens of a Montana tribe. The grant cycle runs annually from Oct. 1-Nov. 30.
Eligible applicants for TTSB grants are enrolled citizens aged 18 years old or older of a federally recognized tribe in Montana. All applications must include valid photo ID and documentation of tribal enrollment.
For more information about TTSB grants, visit commerce.mt.gov.
“With the start-up or expansion of these small businesses, Commerce continues to be a partner in economic development success for our tribal communities,” said Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio.
The following businesses will receive TTSB grant funding:
- BABBtized Barista, LLC in Babb will receive $10,000 for business equipment and development.
- Backpacker’s Ferry, LLC in Browning will receive $10,000 for business equipment and improvements.
- Bighorn Fly Company, LLC in Billings will receive $10,000 for outfitter and guiding business equipment and development.
- Generations Forward in Billings will receive $10,000 for business equipment and development.
- Glacier Gateway Vacation Rental & Cultural Lodging in Browning will receive $10,000 for vacation rental development and improvements.
- Glacier Montpacas, LLC in Browning will receive $10,000 for retail space construction and alpaca tour development.
- Good Heart Leads, LLC in Pryor will receive $10,000 for Good Heart Leads’ mobile restaurant equipment and business development.
- Hi-Line Hogs & Livestock, LLC in Cut Bank will receive $10,000 for Grown in Montana products, equipment and supplies.
- Imiera, LLC in Billings will receive $10,000 for Hunter’s Moon Beading & Jewelry’s Native American Made in Montana product supplies, equipment and business development.
- Iron Shield Creative, LLC in Browning will receive $10,000 for business equipment and product development.
- Johnson’s of St. Mary, LLC in Browning will receive $10,000 for business infrastructure improvements.
- Lil Jittz, LLC in Box Elder will receive $10,000 for Lil Jittz Food Truck’s mobile restaurant business equipment and development.
- Loudthunder Express in Box Elder will receive $10,000 for mobile restaurant business equipment and development.
- Mudman Creationz, LLC in Browning will receive $10,000 for campground and Indigenous workshop business development.
- QuickSet Fly Company, LLC in Billings will receive $10,000 for outfitter and guide business equipment and development.
- Rising Wolf Getaway, LLC in Babb will receive $10,000 for vacation rental cabins expansion, construction and finishes.
- Sage & Oats Trading Post, LLC in Helena will receive $10,000 for Native American Made in Montana product production equipment and development.
- The Spoon & Fork, LLC in Lame Deer will receive $10,000 for restaurant equipment upgrades.
- Tommy B. Robinson Photography in Lame Deer will receive $10,000 for Native American Made in Montana production equipment and development.
- Water People Tours, LLC in Ronan will receive $10,000 for campground repairs and improvements.
- Zander Art Gallery in Great Falls will receive $10,000 for Zander Art Gallery & Embroidery’s Native American Made in Montana production equipment and business development.
In 2025, Assiniboine Books in Wolf Point received $10,000 of TTSB grant funding for the development and production of Assiniboine language learning books, coloring books and calendars. The company became a member of Commerce’s Native American Made in Montana Program and exhibited at the 2026 Made in Montana Trade Show in Helena to engage in the wholesale marketplace.
Vicki Bisbee, Assiniboine Books owner said, “Receiving a TTSB grant has taken a load off my mind. I first published ‘Basic Words and Counting 1-10,’ using retirement money. With this awesome grant, I was able to publish a powwow calendar and two more books: ‘Counting 11-20’ and ‘Colors,’ a Native American coloring book.”
The TTSB grant cycle budget is $240,000, with a maximum award amount of $10,000 and no match required. The program aims to award approximately 24 grants to enrolled citizens of a Montana tribe. The grant cycle runs annually from Oct. 1-Nov. 30.
Eligible applicants for TTSB grants are enrolled citizens aged 18 years old or older of a federally recognized tribe in Montana. All applications must include valid photo ID and documentation of tribal enrollment.
For more information about TTSB grants, visit commerce.mt.gov.
Tags: Business and Press Release