Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF) Program Funding Available for local governments to create new qualifying jobs for Montana residents.

Approximately $400,000 will be Available for Category I – Economic Development Projects: 75% of BSTF earnings are awarded to local governments in the form of grants and loans for economic development projects that create new qualifying jobs for Montana residents.

Approximately $200,000 will be available for Category II – Planning: 25% of BSTF earnings are awarded to Certified Regional Development Corporations and other qualified economic development organizations in Counites not covered by a CRDC in the form of grants for planning activities. Eligible planning activities include feasibility studies, business plans, workforce surveys, target industry analyses, preliminary architectual reports and preliminary engineering reports.

The Montana Department of Commerce, BSTF Program will accept applications through December 31, 2007 to be considered in the next quarterly application cycle.

To review the application requirements and obtain application forms, you may visit the BSTF Web site at: http://www.businessresources.mt.gov/BRD_Trustfund.asp

New! Changes to the BSTF Program:
Due to recent legislative changes, effective July 1, 2007, the BSTF program allows higher financial assistance per job and a reduced matching funds requirement for Category I projects in higher poverty counties, as defined by the US Census Bureau:

Up to $7,500 per eligible job (Up to $7,125 in business assistance and $375 in grant administration)
50% match requirement

**All other program requirements and eligibility requirements still apply, see the BSTF web site for a copy of the Application Guidelines and the Map of eligible high poverty counties at: http://www.businessresources.mt.gov/BRD_Trustfund.asp **

Questions?
Contact Angela Nelson, BSTF Program Manager at [email protected] or by phone at (406) 841-2792.