Commerce Awards Business Development Grant to Chippewa Cree Tribe
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HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Indians has been approved for up to $240,000 of Tribal Business Development Grant funds for the C&C Market’s Modernization and Safety Improvement Project in Box Elder.
“Tribal businesses like C&C Agency Market and C&C Firehouse Market create jobs, build space for communities and fuel innovation where Montana’s tribes benefit the most,” said Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio. “This project is an investment in the Chippewa Cree Tribe, and Commerce is proud to have the opportunity to fund it.”
Located on the Rocky Boy Reservation, C&C Agency Market and C&C Firehouse Market supply food, household goods and fuel to residents across the Rocky Boy Reservation and the surrounding Box Elder area. This project addresses facility safety risks, accessibility barriers, aging infrastructure, inventory losses and service disruptions. Modernization and safety improvements to these markets are essential for rural food availability in addition to employee and customer wellbeing.
Chippewa Cree Tribal Chairman Harlan Baker said, “I sincerely thank the State of Montana and Governor Gianforte for recognizing the importance of this project and investing in our community. These resources will help us strengthen our tribally owned businesses, improve food access for our people and build something that will last for years to come. This is the kind of partnership that makes a real difference on the ground, and we are grateful for that support.”
In 2025, the Blackfeet Tribe received a Tribal Business Development Grant in the amount of $89,400 to enhance meat processing and product distribution associated with the Blackfeet Tribe Buffalo Program in Browning.
Rodney Gervais, Jr., chairman of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, said, “The Montana Tribal Business Development Grant is helping us expand the Blackfeet Bison Products business by providing the equipment needed to properly store and transport our products. This investment strengthens our Tribal economy and supports the continued growth of a culturally important industry.”
The TBDG is a competitive grant program that connects participating tribes of Montana with the resources necessary to advance shovel-ready projects that will provide a measurable and beneficial economic impact for the community.
For more information, visit commerce.mt.gov.
“Tribal businesses like C&C Agency Market and C&C Firehouse Market create jobs, build space for communities and fuel innovation where Montana’s tribes benefit the most,” said Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio. “This project is an investment in the Chippewa Cree Tribe, and Commerce is proud to have the opportunity to fund it.”
Located on the Rocky Boy Reservation, C&C Agency Market and C&C Firehouse Market supply food, household goods and fuel to residents across the Rocky Boy Reservation and the surrounding Box Elder area. This project addresses facility safety risks, accessibility barriers, aging infrastructure, inventory losses and service disruptions. Modernization and safety improvements to these markets are essential for rural food availability in addition to employee and customer wellbeing.
Chippewa Cree Tribal Chairman Harlan Baker said, “I sincerely thank the State of Montana and Governor Gianforte for recognizing the importance of this project and investing in our community. These resources will help us strengthen our tribally owned businesses, improve food access for our people and build something that will last for years to come. This is the kind of partnership that makes a real difference on the ground, and we are grateful for that support.”
In 2025, the Blackfeet Tribe received a Tribal Business Development Grant in the amount of $89,400 to enhance meat processing and product distribution associated with the Blackfeet Tribe Buffalo Program in Browning.
Rodney Gervais, Jr., chairman of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, said, “The Montana Tribal Business Development Grant is helping us expand the Blackfeet Bison Products business by providing the equipment needed to properly store and transport our products. This investment strengthens our Tribal economy and supports the continued growth of a culturally important industry.”
The TBDG is a competitive grant program that connects participating tribes of Montana with the resources necessary to advance shovel-ready projects that will provide a measurable and beneficial economic impact for the community.
For more information, visit commerce.mt.gov.
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