The Montana Department of Commerce has announced the Rural Economies Planning Grants to support planning projects that yield economic impact for rural communities.
Donor Name: Montana Department of Commerce
State: Montana
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant | Matching Grants
Deadline: 05/02/2025
Size of the Grant: More than $1 million
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The matching grant funding is provided through Commerce’s Opportunities in Rural Economies Planning Grant Program.
The purpose of ORE LP and Grant program is to assist in economic development for Montana that will: (a) create good-paying jobs for Montana residents; (b) promote long-term, stable economic growth in Montana; (c) retain or expand existing businesses; (d) provide a better life for future generations through greater economic growth and prosperity in Montana; and (e) encourage workforce development.
The ORE program suite has two components: (i) Participation Loans, including low-interest loans and forgivable loans; and (ii) grants.
- The Opportunities in Rural Economies Loan Participation Program (ORE LPP) is designed to accelerate the growth of new business opportunities, encourage the creation of high-paying jobs, and diversify the state’s economy by providing low interest participation loans with a Participating Lender and/or forgivable loans.
- The Opportunities in Rural Economies Grant Program (ORE GP) may provide matching funds to assist with projects that would provide a significant economic benefit to a community.
Funding Information
- Opportunities in Rural Economies Loan Participation Program (ORE LPP)
- There is no minimum loan amount for participation. The maximum loan amount for Commerce’s portion of the loan is $2,000,000.00 (two million dollars).
- Opportunities in Rural Economies Grant Program (ORE GP)
- There is no minimum grant amount. The maximum grant amount is $30,000.
Eligible Uses of funds
ORE GP funds may be used for any planning purpose allowed by § 90-1-204(2)(b), MCA, including but not limited to:
- Planning support for business improvement districts and central business district redevelopment;
- Planning for industrial development;
- feasibility studies;
- Creation and maintenance of baseline community profiles;
- Technical studies including Preliminary Architectural Report (PAR) and Preliminary Engineering Report (PER).
Eligibility Criteria
A for-profit or nonprofit business, cooperative business, or tribally owned business that is engaged in business activities in the state that will provide a significant positive economic impact to the community, region, or state.
For more information, visit Montana Department of Commerce.
