Commerce To Launch New Capital Access Opportunity for Rural Montana Businesses
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HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that the Opportunities in Rural Economies Loan Participation Program, a new capital access opportunity for rural Montana businesses, will open for applications on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025.
“Commerce is excited to launch this program and begin reviewing impactful projects that support rural Montana,” said Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio. “This is a unique opportunity for local lenders and economic development partners to collaborate in delivering capital to businesses that need it most.”
The ORE Loan Participation Program is designed to expand access to capital for rural Montana businesses by partnering with local lenders to provide low-interest loans. The program supports projects that drive job creation, strengthen basic sector industries and grow rural economies across the state.
Commerce will open the application portal for the ORE Loan Participation Program on Oct. 1, 2025. The portal will remain open through Oct. 28, 2025, giving lenders and economic development partners four weeks to submit eligible loan applications.
Loan applications must be submitted through an external partner organization or supported by an enrolled EDO. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the open application window. The application process is competitive; EPOs or lenders are encouraged to start eligibility conversations early to ensure strong, complete submissions.
Prior to Oct. 1, lenders and economic development organizations wishing to participate should review and execute the Lender Loan Servicing Agreement or the EDO Enrollment Agreement.
Lender Loan Servicing Agreement
The new LLSA serves as the governing document for multiple state-administered loan participation programs, including the ORE Loan Participation Program, the Wood Products Revolving Loan Fund and the Automation Loan Program. The LLSA simplifies participation, reduces administrative burden and creates a consistent servicing structure for lenders engaged across these targeted business support programs. The agreement reflects Commerce’s commitment to strong public-private partnerships and the shared goal of expanding access to capital for Montana businesses.
To support lender engagement and answer questions, Commerce will host a virtual information session on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 11 a.m. The session will include a walk-through of the agreement, program overviews and time for questions. Lenders can access the meeting via mt-gov.zoom.us. Individual support is also available for lenders interested in reviewing the agreement or participating in these programs.
EDO Enrollment Agreement
Eligible EDOs may now submit an application to become enrolled EDOs. Enrollment is required to participate in the ORE Program and qualifies organizations to access program incentives, support loan participation applications and apply for the upcoming ORE Capacity Building Grant, which is set to launch in early 2026.
The EDO enrollment application will be available through Commerce’s ServiceNow platform and will remain open for the duration of the program. Once a complete application is received, Commerce will review and issue a decision within three weeks. Approved applicants will then receive an enrollment agreement via DocuSign for execution.
EDOs planning to support a loan application when the ORE Loan Participation Program opens on Oct. 1 must submit their enrollment application by Sept. 10 to allow sufficient time for review and approval. Early application is strongly encouraged to avoid delays and ensure timely participation in upcoming funding rounds.
For more information about the ORE Program, the LLSA, eligibility criteria for EDOs or to access the enrollment portal, visit commerce.mt.gov or contact Business Resource Partner Josh Bennett at 406-841-2748 or josh.bennett@mt.gov.
“Commerce is excited to launch this program and begin reviewing impactful projects that support rural Montana,” said Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio. “This is a unique opportunity for local lenders and economic development partners to collaborate in delivering capital to businesses that need it most.”
The ORE Loan Participation Program is designed to expand access to capital for rural Montana businesses by partnering with local lenders to provide low-interest loans. The program supports projects that drive job creation, strengthen basic sector industries and grow rural economies across the state.
Commerce will open the application portal for the ORE Loan Participation Program on Oct. 1, 2025. The portal will remain open through Oct. 28, 2025, giving lenders and economic development partners four weeks to submit eligible loan applications.
Loan applications must be submitted through an external partner organization or supported by an enrolled EDO. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the open application window. The application process is competitive; EPOs or lenders are encouraged to start eligibility conversations early to ensure strong, complete submissions.
Prior to Oct. 1, lenders and economic development organizations wishing to participate should review and execute the Lender Loan Servicing Agreement or the EDO Enrollment Agreement.
Lender Loan Servicing Agreement
The new LLSA serves as the governing document for multiple state-administered loan participation programs, including the ORE Loan Participation Program, the Wood Products Revolving Loan Fund and the Automation Loan Program. The LLSA simplifies participation, reduces administrative burden and creates a consistent servicing structure for lenders engaged across these targeted business support programs. The agreement reflects Commerce’s commitment to strong public-private partnerships and the shared goal of expanding access to capital for Montana businesses.
To support lender engagement and answer questions, Commerce will host a virtual information session on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 11 a.m. The session will include a walk-through of the agreement, program overviews and time for questions. Lenders can access the meeting via mt-gov.zoom.us. Individual support is also available for lenders interested in reviewing the agreement or participating in these programs.
EDO Enrollment Agreement
Eligible EDOs may now submit an application to become enrolled EDOs. Enrollment is required to participate in the ORE Program and qualifies organizations to access program incentives, support loan participation applications and apply for the upcoming ORE Capacity Building Grant, which is set to launch in early 2026.
The EDO enrollment application will be available through Commerce’s ServiceNow platform and will remain open for the duration of the program. Once a complete application is received, Commerce will review and issue a decision within three weeks. Approved applicants will then receive an enrollment agreement via DocuSign for execution.
EDOs planning to support a loan application when the ORE Loan Participation Program opens on Oct. 1 must submit their enrollment application by Sept. 10 to allow sufficient time for review and approval. Early application is strongly encouraged to avoid delays and ensure timely participation in upcoming funding rounds.
For more information about the ORE Program, the LLSA, eligibility criteria for EDOs or to access the enrollment portal, visit commerce.mt.gov or contact Business Resource Partner Josh Bennett at 406-841-2748 or josh.bennett@mt.gov.
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