HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-13-26 Correspondence - MT Dept of Commerce - Commerce Weekly Roundup - Volume 3, Issue 32From:Montana Department of CommerceTo:Bozeman Public CommentSubject:[EXTERNAL]Commerce Weekly Roundup - Volume 3, Issue 32Date:Thursday, August 13, 2026 2:01:39 PM
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Aug. 13, 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
SHOT Show sponsorship opportunities are now available: Commerce’s business
attraction team announces the availability of sponsorship opportunities for Montana's
SHOT Show 2027 presence in Las Vegas next January. This show is one of the
premier events for the shooting sports and hunting and outdoor recreation industries. It
also helps the team promote Montana manufacturers, recruit new businesses and
strengthen industry partnerships.
Sponsorships support Montana's signature networking events and the new Montana
Room at the show while providing valuable brand exposure and networking
opportunities for participating organizations. Oct. 16 is the sponsorship deadline.
For more information, see this sponsorship flyer or contact Business Attraction
Coordinator Cameron Johnson at camjohnson@mt.gov or 406-471-4418.
Draft Agritourism Grants Program guidelines will be available for public comment
later this summer. The purpose of these grants is to assist Montana’s rural and tribal
agricultural businesses and communities and to promote diversification and support in
Montana. Commerce will administer agritourism grants in accordance with these
guidelines. Read more about the 2026 funded Agritourism Grant projects.
The 2027 Made in Montana Trade Show will highlight the creativity and talent of
Montana artists through a bag design contest. Commerce is seeking a unique, eye-
catching design that reflects the spirit of Montana craftsmanship, community and
entrepreneurial pride. The winning design will be printed on official MIM trade show
shopping bags used by attendees and exhibitors.
Artists who are part of the MIM Program are encouraged to submit original artwork
that celebrates what it means to be Made in Montana, Grown in Montana and Native
American Made in Montana. The contest runs from Aug. 1-31. Click here for eligibility,
rules and regulations.
Commerce is presenting the revised Montana Automation Financing Program
consisting of two parts: a collateral support program and a direct loan program. These
programs support Montana-based manufacturing businesses seeking to upgrade,
replace or expand their equipment through automation and modernization investments.
The direct loan is serviced through Commerce; the application window is open Sept. 1
through Oct. 23. Loans of up to $100,000 will be available for eligible projects. The
collateral support application window will open later this year. For details, contact
Business Resource Specialist Josh Bennett at josh.bennett@mt.gov or 406-841-2748.
Commerce implements the Montana Automation Financing Program guidelines
regarding available financial assistance to Montana-based manufacturing
enterprises seeking to upgrade, replace or expand their equipment through
automation and modernization investments. Commerce accepted public
comment on the proposed guidelines and received one comment. Commerce
declined to implement the requested change due to limited funding. The final
document is implemented as originally drafted.
The Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer
Matching Funds Program closes for applications on April 30, 2027. The Matching
Funds Program helps technology-based Montana companies by providing additional
funding that can be used for technology development or other purposes during the time
that the company is working on an SBIR/STTR project with a federal agency. This
additional funding increases the likelihood that technology-based Montana companies
will develop products and services that could be successfully marketed. Grants of up to
$30,000 are available. For more information, contact Grants Coordinator Kathy Bartlett
at kathy.bartlett@mt.gov or 406-841-2792.
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.” Approximately $44,952 in cash funding is currently available.
Contact Program Specialist Chris Ryan at chris.ryan@mt.gov or 406-841-2594 for
more information.
Join Commerce’s export team for a trade mission to Argentina and Uruguay,
Sept. 7-11. Montana companies are well-positioned to benefit from exports and
increase their international sales in these countries. For more information, contact our
export team.
Join Commerce’s export team for a trade mission to India, Oct. 5-9, to initiate or
expand your business profile there. For more information, contact our export team.
Housing
Montana Board of Housing Public Meeting: Sept. 14.
Montana Board of Housing - Board Training: Oct. 19.
Montana Board of Housing Public Meeting: Oct. 20.
Infrastructure and Planning
The Montana Main Street Program is offering a grant pre-application training on
Aug. 26 from noon-1 p.m. Only MMS communities are eligible; interested applicants
must contact the MMS Program coordinator. Applications are available on the grants
and loans portal.
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 CDBG Program is hosting a pre-application workshop on Sept. 2 at 10 a.m.
The CDBG Public and Community Facilities Application Guidelines have been updated
and are available for review. The funding opportunity will be in the grants and loans
portal soon. Applications are due Oct. 30 by 11:59 p.m.
The Community Technical Assistance Program is available to help with community
planning needs, including growth policies, subdivision regulations, downtown master
plans or long- or short-range planning. Contact the CTAP team for more information.
The Montana Coal Board will hold its next quarterly meeting on Sept. 10 in
Billings.
The Montana Emergency Tourism Assistance Program is hosting a pre-
application workshop on Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. The application guidelines are posted on
the METAP web page and the funding opportunity will be available soon. Applications
will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 28.
Commerce News/Upcoming Events
The Census and Economic Information Center within Commerce’s Research and
Information Services has been part of Commerce since 1981 when it was established
as the official state data center. Statute MCA §90-1-109 states the State Census and
Economic Information Center, in cooperation with other state, federal and local
agencies, shall establish and maintain a central depository of information, including
computer-retrievable files, concerning the significant characteristics of the state, its
people, economy, land and physical characteristics. Additionally, Commerce shall
analyze and disseminate this information to state, federal, and local agencies and to
the general public and perform the duties assigned to the state census and economic
information center.
Before 2009, CEIC was also a library because all the census materials were on paper.
Now, CEIC serves up the demographic, economic, geographic and sociological
information through digital dashboards and interactive maps on from the Data +
Research site and the Community Planning Platform site. CEIC is also the official
partner to the U.S. Census Bureau as the identified liaison for promoting the census
surveys, programs and redistricting efforts and is dedicated to accuracy, timeliness and
innovation. Suggestions for improvement are always welcome.
Register today 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. Instead of standard breakout sessions, rural
immersive experiences will be offered and are designed to show attendees what
Montana's landscapes need to thrive.
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
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