The Montana Arts Council strives to strengthen the creative economy of Montana through marketing of authentic and handmade art and craft products, coordinating cultural events, and promoting Montana’s art community. MAC also has funding available for schools and arts organizations through their website. Click here to learn more.
Alternative energy in the form of biomass could have major impacts locally, regionally, and nationally. There are currently 47 institutional biomass thermal energy systems in the US producing fuel. Read more to find out the pros, cons, costs, and potential funding sources for developing this energy source.
Sustainable Energy website
Investing in Biomass Thermal Energy
As part of the North Central Montana Healthy Communities Collaborative, the Hill County Health Department and partners created an up-to-date Community Health Improvement Plan that outlines health needs, assets, and priorities. Health organizations in the area are focusing on these priorities as they work to improve access to quality health care in rural Montana. Click here to learn more.
The Bureau of Reclamation (BuRec) is seeking proposals from local governments, water districts, Indian tribes, and states for its WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants. BuRec’s WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grant program provides funding to communities in the Western United States to conserve and use water more efficiently, increase the use of renewable energy and improve energy efficiency, benefit endangered and threatened species, facilitate water markets, and carry out activities to address climate-related impacts on water.
Click here to learn more.
EPA helps communities grow in ways that expand economic opportunity, protect public health and the environment, and create and enhance the places that people love. Through research, tools, partnerships, case studies, grants, and technical assistance, EPA is helping America’s communities turn their visions of the future into reality.
Click here to learn more.
Opportunity Link and partners held a technical assistance workshop to provide communities with information and resources on improving the safety and accessibility of city streets and recreational trails. Topics covered included health and the built environment, planning for improved street and trail networks, bicycle tourism, building trails on a local level, and funding for projects. The Street and Trail Resource Packet contains handouts and contact information for technical assistance providers, bicycle tourism opportunities, Montana Department of Transportation resources, and funding source options. Below are some links for additional information:
Bike Walk Montana
Western Transportation Institute
MT Nutrition and Physical Activity Program
Montana Department of Transportation
Adventure Cycling Association
Made in Montana USA is a program designed to help local producers and value-added product retailers market and sell their local, Montana Made products. The Made in Montana Program is part of the Office of Trade and International Relations in the Business Resources Division of the Montana Department of Commerce. Their website has a directory of all the Made in Montana products that are currently on the market, resources for potential sellers and producers, as well as information about trade shows and other local producer programs. The program was created to help boost Montana’s economy and assist local producers market their products nationally and internationally.
These funding sources are issued to assist very low-income homeowners in repairing, improving, and modernizing their homes or for fixing health and safety violations. Check out the resources for funding and application details.
The Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program was established by the Montana Legislature to strengthen and diversify Montana’s agricultural industry. GTA is a grant and loan program that supports efforts of businesses developing new agricultural products and processes. Local Food and Agricultural Development Centers (FADC) can assist in project planning and application materials.
Click here to learn more.
The Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) is a research department within the School of Business Administration at the University of Montana.The Bureau produces a variety of economic and industry data that includes annual economic forecasts for Montana, its industries, and its counties. Their data archive and research can be found at the Bureau’s website linked here.