Governor Bullock Announces almost $1.4 Million in Funding to Create Jobs and Grow Main Street Businesses

Big Sky Trust Fund and Workforce Training Grants to Support the Creation of up to 221 Jobs

• January 27 2020

Governor Steve Bullock today announced that almost $1.4 million will be available to support growing Main Street businesses to train new workers and create up to 221 jobs.

“Montana businesses are the backbone of a strong economy for our state and job opportunities for Montana workers,” Governor Bullock said. “Investing in the future of Montana means investing in the future of Montana businesses, and that’s exactly what these funds will do.”

A total of $1,255,000 will be awarded through the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF) Job Creation Program at the Montana Department of Commerce. Additionally, four businesses will receive a total of $130,900 in Workforce Training Grant funding to train new workers. These competitive reimbursement programs help to support long-term, sustainable business growth.

Local and tribal governments may apply for BSTF funding on behalf of businesses for the creation of good-paying jobs. Businesses may apply directly for WTG funding. Funds are provided once the jobs have been created at the qualifying wage and eligible expenses have been incurred.

The following awards will be made:

• Billings | Big Sky Economic Development Authority will receive up to $150,000 on behalf of air-freight business Alpine Aviation, Inc. dba Alpine Air to support creating an estimated 30 jobs. Grant funds will be used for wage reimbursement.

• Billings | Big Sky Economic Development Authority will receive up to $85,000 on behalf of Complete, LLC (Webbuy) to support creating an estimated 17 jobs. Grant funds will be used to purchase equipment, computers, furniture, fixtures and for wage reimbursement. Complete LLC provides an online tool that allows individuals to fully execute buying a car.

• Billings | Big Sky Economic Development Authority will receive up to $150,000 on behalf of Meadow Lark Agency, Inc. to support creating an estimated 30 jobs. Grant funds will be used to purchase construction materials, furniture, fixtures, equipment and for wage reimbursement. Meadow Lark Agency, Inc. is a transportation logistics business that dispatches drivers all over the United States.

• Butte | Butte-Silver Bow County will receive up to $22,500 on behalf of Montana Studios, LLC to support creating three estimated jobs. Grant funds will be used to purchase equipment and construction materials. Montana Studios, LLC provides film studio space and production for major motion pictures and television companies.

• Bozeman | The city of Bozeman will receive up to $20,000 on behalf of FLIR Surveillance, Inc. to support creating four estimated jobs. Grant funds will be used to purchase construction materials. FLIR Surveillance, Inc. will also receive up to $19,100 in Workforce Training Grant funding to train the new workers. FLIR Surveillance, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, markets and distributes technologies that enhance perception and awareness.

• Bozeman | Gallatin County will receive up to $110,000 on behalf of Foundant Technologies, Inc. to support creating an estimated 22 jobs. Grant funds will be used to purchase equipment, furniture, fixtures and for wage reimbursement. Foundant Technologies, Inc. provides software-as-a-service solutions to the philanthropic sector.

• Bozeman | The city of Bozeman will receive up to $225,000 on behalf of Gibson Brands, Inc. to support creating an estimated 45 jobs. Grant funds will be used to purchase equipment and for wage reimbursement. Gibson Brands, Inc. designs, manufactures and distributes musical instruments, professional audio products and related accessories.

• Bozeman | Profitable Ideas, Inc. will receive up to $20,000 in Workforce Training Grant funding to train four new workers. Profitable Ideas, Inc. is a fast-growing, Bozeman-based firm that helps professional services firms grow their businesses through the development of facilitated C-suite networks.

• Harrison | Madison County will receive up to $5,000 on behalf of Canty Boots LLC to support creating one estimated job. Grant funds will be used to purchase machinery, equipment, software and for wage reimbursement. Canty Boots LLC will also receive up to $1,800 in Workforce Training Grant funding to train the new worker. Located in Harrison, Canty Boots LLC takes vintage cowgirl boots and upcycles, re-fashions and remakes them into a new pair of boots.

• Libby | Lincoln County Port Authority will receive up to $307,500 on behalf of Isotex Health, LLC to support creating an estimated 41 jobs. Grant funds will be used to purchase equipment. Isotex Health, LLC will be manufacturing Cannabidiol (CBD) isolate.

• Missoula | Missoula County will receive up to $45,000 on behalf of Bedrock Sandals, LLC to support creating an estimated six jobs. Grant funds will be used to purchase equipment, software, furniture, lease rate reduction and for wage reimbursement. Bedrock Sandals, LLC designs outdoor footwear.

• Missoula | Missoula County will receive up to $135,000 on behalf of Montana Health Solutions, Inc. dba Consumer Direct Management Solutions, to support creating an estimated 18 jobs. Grant funds will be used to purchase equipment, software, furniture and for wage reimbursement. The company will also receive up to $90,000 in Workforce Training Grant funding to train the new workers. Montana Health Solutions, Inc. dba Consumer Direct Management Solutions, which facilitates self-directed home health and personal care, is expanding its presence in the national marketplace.

The next funding application deadline is March 11, 2020. Find more information about the Big Sky Trust Fund at BSTF.MT.GOV and the Workforce Training Grant at WTG.MT.GOV.