HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-01-26 Correspondence - MT Dept of Commerce - Commerce Weekly Roundup - Volume 3, Issue 17From:Montana Department of CommerceTo:Bozeman Public CommentSubject:[EXTERNAL]Commerce Weekly Roundup - Volume 3, Issue 17Date:Thursday, April 30, 2026 2:36:06 PM
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April 30, 2026 – 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.
Business
The Opportunities in Rural Economies Program is accepting applications from
economic development organizations through its online application portal. The
enrollment period is open-ended; organizations engaged in active economic
development are encouraged to apply. Lenders interested in participating in the ORE
Loan Participation Program may contact program staff for more information, and, if
eligible, will be required to execute a General Lender Loan Servicing Agreement with
Commerce. For more information, contact Business Resource Partner Josh Bennett at
406-841-2748 or josh.bennett@mt.gov.
The Wood Products Revolving Loan Fund is accepting new applications. The
program offers a loan participation structure for requests up to $2 million and continues
to provide direct loans to eligible businesses for amounts under $1 million. The
application portal will remain open until all available funds are committed, with
approximately $1.4 million currently available. 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-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 is on the SSBCI web page.
Native American Collateral Support Program funding is available. The NACS
Program is accepting applications online, which can be found on the website under
“Application Process.” Currently, approximately $61,235 in cash funding is available.
For more information, contact Program Specialist Chris Ryan at chris.ryan@mt.gov or
406-841-2594.
The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program is returning to Montana.
Applications are open until May 18 for this tuition-free, 12-week program. One-on-one
advice and personalized guidance, as well as better tools, clearer financials, stronger
strategy and a trusted peer network will be offered to help grow small businesses.
Participants will learn from experienced faculty and join a national community of
entrepreneurs who keep collaborating long after graduation. Businesses must be at
least two years old, have at least two employees and revenues over $75,000 in the
most recent fiscal year. Classes start in September.
Join Commerce’s export team for a trade mission to Argentina and Uruguay,
Sept. 7-11, to initiate or expand your business profile. Montana companies are well-
positioned to benefit from exports and increase their international sales in these
countries. For more information, contact our export team.
Housing
Montana Board of Housing Public Meeting: May 11-12. Interested individuals may
attend via Zoom or in person at the Best Western Premier Helena Great Northern
Hotel, 834 Great Northern Blvd. in Helena. Registration is required to attend via Zoom.
Montana Board of Housing Public Meeting: June 8.
Infrastructure and Planning
The Lead Service Line Technical Assistance Program will be transitioned to the
Department of Environmental Quality effective on May 9, 2026. Please contact DEQ
directly for further information or assistance regarding Lead Service Lines: Jayde
Duysen at jayde.duysen@mt.gov or 406-444-0917.
Commerce is hosting a preapplication workshop for the upcoming Community
Development Block Grant Program Planning Grant application. The workshop will
be held via Zoom on May 13 at 10 a.m.
The Montana Main Street Program seeks additions to its MMS murals catalog. MMS
members may submit a mural by visiting the project's web page.
The Uniform Application for Montana Public Facility Projects, which is part of
Commerce’s Montana Coal Endowment Program’s application, has been
updated and is available for use. The updates include a preliminary engineering
report outline with requirements for irrigation projects, an application that now requests
information regarding short-lived assets and contact information including links and
phone numbers.
Commerce will accept applications for the Montana Coal Endowment Program now
through May 19 at 11:59 p.m. Application guidelines can be found on the MCEP web
page; eligible parties should visit the grants and loans portal to apply.
The Community Development Block Grant Planning Program will begin
accepting applications for a third round of funding starting May 26 through 11:59
p.m. on July 10. Application guidelines are available on the CDBG planning web page.
Commerce News/Upcoming Events
First Commerce Excellence on Main Street Awards Presented in Glasgow
Montana Board of Housing representatives attended the 2026 National Council of
State Housing Agencies Legislative Conference held April 21-23 in Washington,
D.C. Board Chair Bruce Posey and board members Ryan Aiken and Richard
Miltenberger joined the MBOH Executive Director Cheryl Cohen for meetings on the
Hill with the Montana delegation and their staff.
Major topics of discussion at the conference included the current status of the 21st
Century ROAD to Housing Act, reintroduction of the Affordable Housing Credit
Improvement Act, the Affordable Housing Bond Enhancement Act and Build America
Buy America. Keynote speakers included Rep. Mike Flood, chair of the House
Financial Services Housing and Insurance Subcommittee and Rep. Emanuel Cleaver
II, ranking member of the Housing Financial Services Housing and Insurance
Subcommittee.
Representatives Flood and Cleaver shared their strong bipartisan efforts to collaborate
on the HOME Investment Partnership Program Reform Act of 2025 and
Reauthorization and Improvement Act. Their partnership started with an initial dinner;
they subsequently wrote personal letters to further their ideas and invited a wide range
of stakeholders to share what was ultimately included in proposed legislation.
The Montana Shooting Sports Task Force seeks public input as it works on the
development of future shooting sports facilities across the state following the passage
of HB 899 in the 2025 Montana Legislative Session. The bill was sponsored by Rep.
Kerri Seekins-Crowe (R-Billings).
The Montana Heritage Commission seeks concessionaires interested in running
business operations in Virginia City and Reeder's Alley in Helena. A list of currently
available opportunities is at commerce.mt.gov. Please email mhc@mt.gov with any
questions.
World Trade and Investment Day will be held May 12 in Butte. This event brings
together exporters, importers, investors, policymakers and service providers to explore
global market opportunities, supply chains, foreign direct investment and the real-world
challenges Montana firms face doing business internationally.
Register now for the 2026 Housing Partnership Conference, May 18-20 at
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. This conference brings together housing professionals,
policymakers, developers and advocates from across the state and nation to explore
innovative solutions, share expertise and collaborate on the future of affordable
housing in Montana.
The Census and Economic Information center at RIS makes data easily accessible to
the community via the Community Planning Platform. Highlighted this week is the
Physical Condition of Residential Properties map. It provides a valuable tool for city
and community planners when looking at revitalization opportunities for economic
development. Explore the CPP page to see all information that is currently available.
The Montana Heritage Commission will meet June 5 at 9 a.m. via Zoom.
Registration is required; click the Zoom link in advance to do so.
Registration is now open for the 2026 Montana Department of Commerce
Governor’s Conference on Tourism. This year’s conference will be held Sept. 16-18
in Great Falls. The event brings together more than 350 tourism and business
professionals to educate, network and inspire one another. In place of standard
breakout sessions, immersive rural experiences will be offered instead. These
sessions will offer hands-on learning designed to show attendees what Montana's
landscapes need to thrive. Register by June 30 for early bird pricing.
UPDATE SUBSCRIBER PREFERENCES
Montana Department of Commerce
301 S Park Ave, Helena, MT 59620
Contact Us: 406-841-2700
commerce.mt.gov
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Montana Department of Commerce
301 S Park Ave, Helena, MT 59620
406-841-2700