HELENA — Montana will be expanding COVID-19 relief grant opportunities to help small businesses, local governments and help get more Montana meat to people’s tables.
Funded by the CARES Act, the COVID-19 relief grant programs have already sent out more than $10,000 to Montana businesses and nonprofits.
“Dollars are going out the door, and to dang near every county around the state,” said Gov. Steve Bullock.
Gov. Bullock announced Thursday an additional $25 million to the Small Business Stabilization program.
The Small Business Stabilization program was originally funded with $50 million. Since it launched on May 13, more than 8,000 businesses have requested assistance, with around $60 million in total funding requests.
The governor also introduced the Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure grant on Thursday. The grant is aimed at helping small and medium sized meat processes adapt to meeting the supply demands of their community.
The program has $2 million in funding, and each organization can apply for up to $150,000. Money can be used for equipment and infrastructure that increases processing and/or storage capacity and help with costs associated with state and federal inspections.
Gov. Bullock also announced county and city governments can get funding to reimbursed COVID related medical and public health spending, and regular and overtime hours for their employees.
More information about Montana’s COVID-19 Relief Grants, including which organizations have been awarded grants, can be found here.