Commerce Awards Grants to 17 Tribal Businesses in Montana

• May 22 2025

HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that 17 Montana tribal tourism businesses will share $170,000 of grant funding to assist in their start-up or expansion. This funding is through Commerce’s Tribal Tourism Small Business Grant Program.

“This year’s Tribal Tourism Small Business Grant awardees operate in many aspects of the growing tribal tourism industry, such as tours, accommodations, food services and Native American Made in Montana products,” said Montana Department of Commerce Acting Director Mandy Rambo. “By helping establish or grow these businesses through TTSB grants, Commerce continues to be a partner in economic development and prosperity for Montana’s tribal communities.”

The TTSB grant cycle budget is $240,000, with a maximum award amount of $10,000; no match is required. The program aims to award approximately 24 grants to enrolled citizens of a Montana tribe, averaging three per tribal nation. The grant cycle runs annually from Oct. 1-Nov. 30.

The following businesses will receive TTSB Grant funding:

• Assiniboine Books in Wolf Point will receive $10,000 for Native American Made in Montana business expansion expenses.
• Baby’s Got Back BBQ in Wolf Point will receive $10,000 for licensed food and beverage business improvement expenses.
• Backpacker’s Ferry, LLC in Browning will receive $10,000 for the expansion of tourism experiences.
• Bluebird Enterprize in Hays will receive $10,000 for tourism support services and business expenses.
• Brew Crew in Ashland will receive $10,000 for licensed food and beverage business expenses.
• Buckaroo Brews in Cut Bank will receive $10,000 for licensed food and beverage business expenses.
• Elliot Ranch Branded Beef, LLC in Lame Deer will receive $10,000 for licensed food and beverage business expenses.
• Iron Shield Creative, LLC in Browning will receive $10,000 for tourism experience and business improvement expenses.
• Johnson’s of St. Mary in St. Mary will receive $10,000 for hosting and accommodations business expenses.
• Leaning Tree Camp and Cabins in Babb will receive $10,000 for tourism accommodations business expansion expenses.
• Lemon Drip in Lame Deer will receive $10,000 for licensed food and beverage business expenses.
• Lone Pine Cabin, LLC in Browning will receive $10,000 for tourism accommodation business expansion expenses.
• Redbyrd Designs in Glasgow will receive $10,000 for Native American Made in Montana business expansion expenses.
• Sacred Trails Guides and Outfitters in Browning will receive $10,000 for the expansion of tourism experiences business expenses.
• SSW Beadwork in Havre will receive $10,000 for Native American Made in Montana business expansion expenses.
• Stumitsikitsikin Art Collective in Poplar will receive $10,000 for Native American Made in Montana business location expansion expenses.
• Wolf Point General Mercantile in Wolf Point will receive $10,000 for Native American Made in Montana business expansion expenses.
  
  

“We are utilizing our grant funding to procure another 20-foot stock trailer to help reduce our traveling and hauling of our horses from our house to our trail riding business, which is 20 miles one way,” said Al Boy, owner of Sacred Trails Guides and Outfitters. “Now, we are given the opportunity not only to lessen the wear and tear on our vehicles, but most importantly to give our horses the rest, care and comfort they each deserve for their commitment and dedication to our riders.”

Eligible applicants for TTSB grants are aged 18 years old or older and enrolled citizens of a federally recognized tribe in Montana. All applications must include documentation of tribal enrollment, such as a Certified Indian Blood Form or tribal ID.

For more information about TTSB grants, visit comdev.mt.gov.

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Tags: Business and press release