The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About01-06-26 Correspondence - MT Dept of Commerce - Commerce Weekly Roundup - Volume 2, Issue 52From:Montana Department of CommerceTo:Bozeman Public CommentSubject:[EXTERNAL]Commerce Weekly Roundup - Volume 2, Issue 52Date:Wednesday, December 31, 2025 2:01:23 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Dec. 31, 2025 – News, events, grants, loans and other funding opportunities Montana Department of Commerce Weekly Roundup The Weekly Roundup is a summary of events, news and information important to Commerce's constituents this week. Click on any topic for more information. Infrastructure and Planning The Montana Emergency Tourism Assistance Program will open Jan. 5, 2026 with an application deadline of Feb. 5, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. The METAP is a state-funded opportunity to distribute grant awards for tourism-related emergency service projects in rural areas. Visit the grants and loans portal to apply. The program will host a pre-application workshop on Jan. 5, 2026 from 11 a.m. to noon. Commerce’s Community and Economic Vitality team will host an informational workshop via Zoom focusing on the upcoming grant cycle for the Montana Historic Preservation Grant Program. This workshop will provide an overview of the program, including the application process, timeline and eligibility requirements. It's scheduled for Jan. 15, 2026 from 12-1:30 p.m. Commerce is accepting applications for the Community Development Block Grant Planning Program. Cities, towns, counties and consolidated city-county governments are eligible to apply by 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 16, 2026. Visit the grants and loans portal to apply. Commerce is accepting applications for the Montana Historic Preservation Grant through 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2026. Application guidelines can be found on the MHPG web page; eligible parties should visit the grants and loans portal to apply. The Montana Coal Board will hold its next quarterly meeting on March 12, 2026 in Billings. Grant applications to be considered at this meeting are due no later than midnight on Jan. 26, 2026. Visit the grants and loans portal to apply. Business The Wood Products Revolving Loan Fund is accepting new applications under updated program guidelines. The program has transitioned to a loan participation structure for funding requests of up to $2 million and will continue to offer direct loans for amounts under $1 million. The application portal will remain open until all available funding has been committed to eligible businesses. Currently, the WP RLF has $878,941 available for lending. For more information, contact Program Specialist Chris Ryan at chris.ryan@mt.gov. The Montana State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 Loan Participation Program application portal will temporarily close at midnight on Feb. 28, 2026 as the program explores increasing future product offerings. While funds remain available, all fully and properly completed applications submitted prior to the closure will be reviewed for eligibility. Updates on program offerings will be released as more information becomes available. Ongoing funding opportunities will be supported through the SSBCI 2.0 Recycled Funds application portal which will remain open for the duration of the program. The Montana State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 Loan Participation Program-Recycled Funds application is open and will remain so for the duration of the program, with capital availability contingent on repayments from existing borrowers. A list of participating lenders with funds for recycling can be found on the SSBCI webpage. Native American Collateral Support Program funding available: The NACS Program is now accepting applications online, which can be found on the website under “Application Process.” Currently, $170,832 in cash funding is available. For more information, contact Program Specialist Chris Ryan at chris.ryan@mt.gov or 406-841- 2594. The application portal for the ORE Loan Participation Program closed on October 28. The program continues to accept applications from economic development organizations wishing to enroll. The EDO enrollment period remains open-ended, and any organization involved in active economic development is invited to apply. Lenders interested in participating should contact program staff for further details and will need to sign a General Lender Loan Servicing Agreement. For additional information, contact Business Resource Partner Josh Bennett at 406-841- 2748 or josh.bennett@mt.gov. Commerce announces the Opportunities in Rural Economies Economic Development Organization Capacity Building Grant. The grant application window will open tomorrow and is available only to EDOs that have completed the enrollment process with Commerce. This 10:1 match grant is designed to help enrolled EDOs increase their internal capacity to better serve underserved businesses, invest in technological improvements and innovations, expand training and professional development opportunities for staff and support other activities that strengthen economic development in their regions. If your organization is interested in enrolling in the ORE Program or has questions about the grant, contact Business Resource Partner Josh Bennett at 406-841-2748 or josh.bennett@mt.gov. The Montana Tourism Development Grant Program, formerly known as the Pilot Community Tourism Grant Program, will accept applications until Jan. 22, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. The MTDG is a state-funded opportunity, building tourism in a manageable, sustainable way that can stimulate and diversify Montana’s local economy, protect and enhance local resources and foster community pride without compromising the qualities that make local communities so special. The Big Sky Film Grant is open. This grant program aims to build and support partnerships with filmmakers and production companies to create Montana film industry jobs. The application deadline is Feb. 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. MST. For more information, contact Commerce's Film Office. Have you significantly grown your exports in 2025? You may be eligible to apply for up to three Exporter of the Year Awards: The President’s “E” and "E Star" Awards - Application due Jan. 3, 2026. Send application and questions to U.S. Commercial Service International Trade Specialist Laura Barmby at laura.barmby@trade.gov. The Montana Exporter of the Year - Application due March 15, 2026. For more information, contact exportmontana@mt.gov or call 406-841-2783. Commerce’s Export team will submit applications to the Montana District Export Council’s review committee for consideration. Don't miss these opportunities to spread the word about your 2025 export success! Housing Montana Board of Housing public meeting: Jan. 12, 2026. Montana Board of Housing public meeting: Feb. 9, 2026. The 2026 Montana Housing Partnership Conference is accepting speaker proposals. The Montana Housing Partnership is looking for leaders in affordable housing and community development to share their knowledge and experience at the 2026 Montana Housing Partnership Conference at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, May 18-20, 2026. If you’re passionate about inspiring others and connecting with peers across the industry, we’d love to hear from you. Commerce News/Upcoming Events Still Time to Choose New Welcome to Montana Highway Sign Design Montana Department of Commerce Allocates Public and Community Facilities Grants to Five Montana Communities Applications for the Montana Heritage Commission’s long-term lease opportunities are due quarterly, one week before Commission meetings, which are held on the first Friday in March, June, September and December. First quarter’s applications are due Feb. 27, 2026 by 5 p.m. for review at the March 6, 2026 commission meeting. Visit commerce.mt.gov for more information. Commerce invites economic development organizations to the SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland from May 3-6, 2026. This summit is the largest international business attraction event in the country. Partner with Commerce at no additional cost beyond travel and hotel expenses. To be a part of Commerce's booth, send an email to Business Attraction Coordinator Cameron Johnson at camjohnson@mt.gov by Jan. 31, 2026. Happy New Year from all of us at Commerce! UPDATE SUBSCRIBER PREFERENCES Montana Department of Commerce 301 S Park Ave, Helena, MT 59620 Contact Us: 406-841-2700 commerce.mt.gov View as a webpage Unsubscribe Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. This email was sent to comments@bozeman.net using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: MontanaDepartment of Commerce · P.O. Box 200501 · Helena, MT 59620-0501 Discover information about additional topics at Commerce. Sign up for more topics. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. Montana Department of Commerce 301 S Park Ave, Helena, MT 59620406-841-2700