Montana Governor Announces Funding to Boost Local Meat Processing and Assist Small Businesses

Strategic Insights -

Montana Governor Steve Bullock has issued a news release announcing funding through the federal CARES Act to support local meat processing and small businesses. The Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant will provide $2,000,000 to aid small and medium-sized meat processors in responding to COVID-19 supply chain disruptions. The funding will also be used to provide additional financial assistance for small businesses and reimburse local governments for COVID-19 related expenses.

Key Takeaways:

  • $2,000,000 in funding is available through the Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant to support local meat processing infrastructure and capacity.
  • The grant will provide a maximum award of $150,000 to eligible applicants.
  • The funding will be used to support local meat processing infrastructure and capacity, provide additional financial assistance for small businesses, and reimburse local governments for COVID-19 related expenses.
  • The program has been established in response to COVID-19 supply chain disruptions, which have significantly impacted meat processing capacity throughout the US.
  • Examples of eligible expenses include equipment and infrastructure that increases processing and/or storage capacity, costs associated with becoming state or federally inspected, and other business adaptation and diversification activities.
  • Governor Bullock also announced an additional $25 million in funding to aid small businesses in recovering from the economic impacts of COVID-19.
  • The Business Stabilization Program has received over 8,000 applications, with funding requests totaling over $60 million.

Statistics:

  • $2,000,000 in funding is available through the Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant.
  • The maximum award for grant recipients is $150,000.
  • The Business Stabilization Program has received over 8,000 applications, with funding requests totaling over $60 million.
  • $25 million in additional funding is being added to the Business Stabilization Program to aid small businesses in recovering from the economic impacts of COVID-19.
  • Localities can submit requests for reimbursement for COVID-19 related expenses through the Department of Administration.
  • Local governments may also be eligible for reimbursement through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance grant program.

Sources:

  • "News Release: Governor Steve Bullock Announces Funding to Aid Small Businesses and Local Governments" (Governor's Office, June 5)
  • Montana Department of Commerce
  • COVIDRELIEF.MT.GOV
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance grant program