HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-01-26 Correspondence - Montana Department of Commerce - Commerce Weekly Roundup - Volume 3, Issue 39From:Montana Department of CommerceTo:Bozeman Public CommentSubject:[EXTERNAL]Commerce Weekly Roundup - Volume 3, Issue 39Date:Thursday, October 1, 2026 2:01:21 PM
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Oct. 1, 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.
Commerce News/Upcoming Events
Hamilton Made in Montana Member Wins Bag Design Contest for the 2027 Made
in Montana Trade Show
The Montana Heritage Commission is looking for concessionaires interested in
running business operations in historic Virginia City, Nevada City and Reeder's Alley in
Helena. A list of currently available opportunities can be found at commerce.mt.gov.
Email mhc@mt.gov with any questions.
Training Opportunity: The 2026 Montana Co-op Academy is a two-track training
and connection event for cooperative leaders, rising leaders, outreach staff,
community partners and people supporting cooperative development work across
Montana. Hosted by the Montana Council of Cooperatives and co-hosted with
Montana’s Credit Unions, the Academy will bring together people working inside
existing co-ops and people helping communities explore cooperative solutions.
Trainings will be held Oct. 19-21 at the Spring Hill Suites in Bozeman. Register here.
These trainings are made possible with support from the Cooperative Development
Foundation and Commerce.
Register now for the 2026 Governor’s Summit on Montana Food and Agriculture,
which will be held Oct. 23-24 in Helena. The summit, hosted by the Grow Montana
Food Policy Coalition in partnership with the Montana Department of Agriculture and
the Governor’s Office, aims to gather Montanans to design a strategic roadmap toward
solving pinch points in the state’s supply chain. This event will feature speakers and
regional work sessions focused on identifying gaps and opportunities in the
distribution, marketing, production and retailing of food grown and produced in
Montana.
Infrastructure and Planning
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.
Commerce's Montana Main Street Program is seeking your vote for its MMS Best
of Show Flower Basket and Flowerpot Competition. Flower planters and baskets
are important features in Montana's 38 Main Street communities. These floral elements
are strategically placed to enhance the local image and economy, attract visitors and
showcase downtown pride. Voting is open through tomorrow, Oct. 2; all votes are
anonymous.
As a Main Street America coordinating program, Commerce’s MMS Program is part of
a grassroots network committed to promoting local main streets, creating high-quality
spaces and building stronger communities through preservation-based economic
development. For more information about the MMS Program, visit commerce.mt.gov.
The Community Technical Assistance Program can 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 CTAP team has begun scheduling community outreach opportunities around the
state. CTAP team members will be available today, Oct.1 at 6 p.m. for a planning
board training related to the Granite County Growth Policy at the Drummond Public
Library.
The Montana Emergency Tourism Assistance Program is accepting applications
until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 28. The application guidelines are posted on the METAP web
page; the funding opportunity is available on the grants and loans portal for applicants.
The Community Development Block Grant Program is accepting applications for
the Public and Community Facilities Program through Oct. 30 by 11:59 p.m. Eligible
applicants are limited to counties, incorporated cities and towns and consolidated city-
county governments. The application guidelines are available on the CDBG web page;
interested parties can apply through the Montana Grants and Loans Portal.
The Montana Coal Board will hold its next quarterly meeting on Dec. 10 in Billings.
Grant applications to be considered at this meeting are due no later than 11:59 p.m. on
Oct. 26. Visit the Montana Grants and Loans Portal to apply.
Business
Commerce's Tribal Tourism Grant opens today, Oct. 1. The Tribal Tourism Grant is
available to the eight tribal nations of Montana for shovel-ready tourism projects.
Updates to the TTG guidelines approved by the State Tribal Economic Development
Commission include an increase in the award amount and a reduction in the match
requirement. The grant closes at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2026.
Commerce's Tribal Tourism Small Business Grant opens today, Oct. 1. The Tribal
Tourism Small Business Grant is available to enrolled citizens of Montana’s eight tribal
nations aged 18-years-old or older, who operate or wish to start a tribal tourism
business in one of the following categories:
Native American Made in Montana producer or retailer
Hosted accommodations, tours or experiences
Licensed food or beverage business, mobile or brick-and-mortar location
Licensed outfitter or guide in hunting or fishing
Business that supports tribal tourism industry in Montana
Updates to the TTSB guidelines approved by the State Tribal Economic Development
Commission include an increase in the award amount, changes to the match
requirement and a cooling off period on award frequency. Applicants are encouraged
to meet with a Native American Business Advisor for technical assistance and
business plan development. The grant closes at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30.
The exhibitor application for the 2027 Made in Montana Trade Show is now open.
Apply online from Oct. 1-31. Current Made in Montana members who want to grow
their business through the wholesale market are encouraged to submit a trade show
exhibitor application.
Commerce’s Opportunities in Rural Economies Loan Participation Program is
expanding support for rural business growth and community development with a new
application cycle. The application cycle opens today, Oct. 1 and closes Oct. 30. The
program will make $8 million available to help finance eligible projects across
Montana’s rural communities. Eligible projects will be required to provide a one-to-one
match.
Economic development organizations can apply to enroll in the ORE Program.
Enrollment is open-ended; organizations involved in regional economic development
and business assistance are encouraged to participate. Lenders interested in
partnering with the ORE Program are encouraged to contact program staff.
Participating lenders must execute a General Lender Loan Servicing Agreement. For
program information or lender participation details, contact Business Resource Partner
Josh Bennett at 406-841-2748 or josh.bennett@mt.gov.
The Great Falls Development Alliance will host free business workshops in
Shelby on Oct. 6 and in Great Falls on Oct. 7. Learn the proven principles of
Destination Creation from internationally recognized expert Jon Schallert. This
immersive workshop teaches businesses and communities how to stand out, attract
more visitors, increase customer loyalty and become destinations people actively seek
out. Walk away with practical strategies to strengthen your brand, grow revenue and
create lasting economic impact. The workshops are sponsored by Commerce's
Opportunities in Rural Economies Loan Participation Program Grant.
Shelby: Oct. 6
8:30 a.m.–4:40 p.m.
Comfort Inn and Suites
455 McKinley Ave.
Great Falls: Oct.7
8:30 a.m.–4:40 p.m.
Great Falls College MSU: Heritage Hall
2100 16th Ave. S.
The Agritourism Grant Program will accept applications through Oct. 22. These
grants support tribal and agricultural businesses and rural communities by assisting
with diversifying operations, developing and enhancing agritourism opportunities and
generating tourism revenue for the benefit of local Montana economies.
Agritourism Grant Program webinars will include an overview of the program, the 2027
application, scoring criteria, the timeline and a Q & A session. They are scheduled for
Wednesday, Oct. 7 at noon and Tuesday, Oct. 20 at noon.
SHOT Show sponsorship opportunities are available: Commerce’s business
attraction team announces the availability of sponsorship opportunities for Montana's
SHOT Show 2027 presence in Las Vegas in 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 participants. 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.
The Montana Automation Financing Program offers two funding opportunities for
Montana-based manufacturing businesses seeking to upgrade, replace or expand
equipment through automation and modernization investments: direct loans and
collateral support. The direct loan application window is open through Oct. 23.
Commerce will service eligible direct loans of up to $100,000. The collateral support
application window opens later this year. For details, contact Business Resource
Specialist Josh Bennett at josh.bennett@mt.gov or 406-841-2748.
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.
Housing
The Montana Housing Partnership has opened its Affinity Groups Launch Survey
to gather input that will help shape upcoming asset and property management, housing
This email was sent to comments@bozeman.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: MontanaDepartment of Commerce · P.O. Box 200501 · Helena, MT 59620-0501
preservation and development groups. Your feedback will guide topics, tools and early
priorities. The survey closes Oct. 19.
MBOH Board Training: Oct. 19.
MBOH Public Meeting: Oct. 20.
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