Montana Announces CARES Act Funding to Boost Meat Processing Infrastructure and Support Small Businesses

Governor Steve Bullock's administration has announced a $2 million grant program to enhance Montana's meat processing infrastructure, utilizing funding from the federal CARES Act. The Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant aims to strengthen local meat processing capacity and aid small and medium-sized meat processors affected by COVID-19 supply chain disruptions. Additionally, $25 million will be added to the Business Stabilization Program to aid small businesses in recovering from the economic impacts of the pandemic, and reimbursements will be provided to local governments for COVID-19-related expenses.

Key Takeaways:

• The Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant will provide $2 million in funding to aid small and medium-sized meat processors, with a maximum award of $150,000.
• The grant program is available to support local meat processing infrastructure and capacity in Montana, with a focus on increasing processing and storage capacity.
• Eligible expenses under the grant program include equipment and infrastructure upgrades, costs associated with becoming state or federally inspected, and other business adaptation and diversification activities.
• Governor Bullock also announced an additional $25 million for the Business Stabilization Program, which will bring the total funding for the program to $75 million.
• The department has received over 8,000 applications, with funding requests totaling more than $60 million.
• Local governments can submit requests for reimbursements by June 12, July 17, September 4, and/or December 1, 2020, and will be reimbursed within 30 days of these deadlines.
• Local governments may also be eligible for reimbursement through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance grant program for costs related to emergency protective measures as a result of COVID-19.

Statistics:

• $2,000,000 total funding available through the Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant.
• Maximum award of $150,000 per applicant.
• 8,000+ applications received for the Business Stabilization Program.
• Funding requests totaling over $60 million for the Business Stabilization Program.
• $25 million added to the Business Stabilization Program, bringing the total funding to $75 million.
• $123 million in funding announced by Governor Bullock in May.
• $1.25 billion provided to Montana from the federal government through the CARES Act.

Sources:

• Montana Department of Commerce
• Governor Steve Bullock
• Montana Association of Counties, Eric Bryson, Executive Director
• Montana League of Cities and Towns, President and Roundup Mayor Sandra Jones.