Commerce Awards Small Business Grants to 25 Native-Owned Businesses in Montana
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HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that $320,000 of grant funding has been allocated to support 25 Native American businesses in Montana. The funding is through Commerce’s Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant Program.
“IEF funding assists startup or expanding Native American businesses in Montana with money that can be used for a variety of activities, such as the purchase of new equipment or the development of a new product line,” said Montana Department of Commerce Acting Director Mandy Rambo.
IEF grants for individual businesses can be up to $14,000 with a minimum dollar-to-dollar cash or in-kind match.
The following businesses will receive IEF grant funding:
Blackfeet
Chippewa Cree
Confederated Salish and Kootenai
Crow
Fort Peck
Little Shell Chippewa
Northern Cheyenne
In 2023, Smoke Signal Studio, a video production company in Poplar, received $14,000 of IEF grant funding to purchase new camera equipment for cinema production as well as computer equipment to support this upgrade.
Scott Smoker, owner of Smoke Signal Studio said, “Receiving support from the Indian Equity Fund helped me scale my business more quickly and effectively. In the video production industry, professional-grade equipment is essential and often expensive. The grant allowed me to invest in the tools I needed to deliver high-quality work to my clients. As someone from the reservation serving communities across Montana, I don’t have easy access to rental houses or last-minute gear like many in larger cities do. It’s important for me to have what I need on hand, ready to go, and the IEF really helped make that possible.”
Eligible applicants for IEF grant funding include enrolled members of the eight federally recognized tribes in Montana. A total of $320,000 of IEF program funding is available annually to support Native American businesses in Montana.
The IEF is one of four financial assistance programs under Commerce’s Office of Indian Country Economic Development. Other funding opportunities include the Native American Business Advisors, Tribal Tourism and Native American Collateral Support grant programs.
For more information about the IEF Grant Program, visit commerce.mt.gov.
“IEF funding assists startup or expanding Native American businesses in Montana with money that can be used for a variety of activities, such as the purchase of new equipment or the development of a new product line,” said Montana Department of Commerce Acting Director Mandy Rambo.
IEF grants for individual businesses can be up to $14,000 with a minimum dollar-to-dollar cash or in-kind match.
The following businesses will receive IEF grant funding:
Blackfeet
- Divide Mountain BBQ will receive $7,000 to purchase appliances for its mobile kitchen.
- Johnson's of St. Mary, LLC will receive $10,000 for hosting and accommodations business expenses.
- Old North Trail Enterprises, LLC will receive $13,400 for technological upgrades.
- Omie's Pizza will receive $14,000 to purchase kitchen equipment.
Chippewa Cree
- Dusty Welding will receive $5,600 to purchase welding tools and safety equipment.
- Rockin Ridge Construction will receive $14,000 to purchase a dump truck.
- SSW Beadwork will receive $10,000 for renovations, inventory expansion and a new POS system.
Confederated Salish and Kootenai
- Cutting Edge Solutions, LLC will receive $14,000 to purchase new auto shop equipment.
- Lemon Drops & Treats will receive $14,000 to purchase commercial-grade kitchen and display equipment.
- Ty's Malt Shop will receive $14,000 for renovations.
Crow
- Big Crane Outfitters will receive $14,000 to upgrade safety equipment and machinery for enhanced outfitting experiences.
- K-M Livestock will receive $14,000 to build a new storage facility to protect livestock feed and ranch supplies.
- Garrett Doney, LLC will receive $14,000 to upgrade equipment for efficient hauling.
- Kevin Hawley will receive $14,000 for shop renovations to increase business capacity.
- Wasniya Massage Therapy will receive $14,000 to expand to a new and improved spa facility.
Fort Peck
- 653 Custom Designs will receive $12,000 to acquire a Roland VersaSTUDIO for expanded design capabilities.
- Baby Lonnie's Beer Mug will receive $14,000 to purchase a new central air conditioning unit.
- Whatever Construction will receive $14,000 to purchase new welding equipment.
- Wolf City Auto Inc. will receive $14,000 to improve accessibility with new sidewalks.
Little Shell Chippewa
- E-1 Towing will receive $14,000 to purchase new tools and diagnostic technology.
- Bougie Paws, LLC will receive $12,000 to purchase new equipment and technology.
- The Kinder Cowboy LLC will receive $12,000 to purchase a new vehicle for transporting horses.
- Mad Hatter Sweets and Treats will receive $14,000 to acquire a generator and a food truck vehicle wrap.
- Milk River Meats & Eats will receive $14,000 to purchase meat processing equipment.
Northern Cheyenne
- PAMS Ag Service will receive $14,000 to purchase a drone system to improve agricultural precision and efficiency.
In 2023, Smoke Signal Studio, a video production company in Poplar, received $14,000 of IEF grant funding to purchase new camera equipment for cinema production as well as computer equipment to support this upgrade.
Scott Smoker, owner of Smoke Signal Studio said, “Receiving support from the Indian Equity Fund helped me scale my business more quickly and effectively. In the video production industry, professional-grade equipment is essential and often expensive. The grant allowed me to invest in the tools I needed to deliver high-quality work to my clients. As someone from the reservation serving communities across Montana, I don’t have easy access to rental houses or last-minute gear like many in larger cities do. It’s important for me to have what I need on hand, ready to go, and the IEF really helped make that possible.”
Eligible applicants for IEF grant funding include enrolled members of the eight federally recognized tribes in Montana. A total of $320,000 of IEF program funding is available annually to support Native American businesses in Montana.
The IEF is one of four financial assistance programs under Commerce’s Office of Indian Country Economic Development. Other funding opportunities include the Native American Business Advisors, Tribal Tourism and Native American Collateral Support grant programs.
For more information about the IEF Grant Program, visit commerce.mt.gov.
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