Governor
Steve Bullock today announced funding through the federal CARES Act will be
used to boost in-state processing and storage capacity for local meat
processors, to provide additional financial assistance for small businesses,
and to reimburse local governments for COVID-19 related expenses.
The
Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant is available to aid small and
medium-sized meat processors responding to COVID-19 supply chain disruptions by
supporting local meat processing infrastructure and capacity in Montana.
“These
grants will boost processing and storage capacity. They’ll help Montana
businesses put more Montana meat onto more shelves. Plus, an increase in
in-state processing means more direct sales, and better, value-added markets
for producers,”
Governor
Bullock said.
“These investments will bolster Montana’s food security,
making us stronger in response to the pandemic, as well as long into the
future.”
Due to
interruptions in national supply chains, meat processing capacity throughout
the US has been significantly impacted. Supporting in-state meat processing
infrastructure and capacity will provide alternative market channels for
Montana’s cattle, hog and poultry producers. 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. Total funding
available through the program is $2,000,000, with a maximum award of $150,000.
Applications are being accepted now at COVIDRELIEF.MT.GOV. The deadline to
apply is July 2, 2020 at 5:00pm.
Governor
Bullock also announced an additional $25 million will be added to the Business
Stabilization Program to aid small businesses in recovering from the economic
impacts of COVID-19. The program, which is operated by the Department of
Commerce, was initially allocated $50 million. The program has received more
than 8,000 applications, with funding requests totaling more than $60 million.
Learn more and apply at COVIDRELIEF.MT.GOV.
Additionally,
Governor Bullock is making available reimbursements to local governments for
COVID-19-related expenses. Localities can submit requests to the Department of
Administration for reimbursement for items like medical expenses, public health
expenses, or employees’ regular and overtime hours substantially dedicated to
mitigating or responding to COVID-19.
“Along
with Montanans, our local governments have gone to great lengths throughout our
response to COVID-19 to keep their local communities safe – and that has come
with an extra cost,”
Governor Bullock said. “I’m pleased we have been able to build on
long-established working relationships with the Montana Association of Counties
and the Montana League of Cities and Towns, and on our existing partnerships
with county commissioners, mayors and other local officials across Montana to
respond with a united front in the face of the pandemic.”
“From
the creation of the Task Force which prioritized private sector recovery and
economic stability; through the framework for local government reimbursement
for public safety and public health stability; we thank the Governor and his
administration for allowing input from Montana Counties,”
said Eric Bryson, Executive
Director, Montana Association of Counties.
“We are
thankful for the ongoing partnership with the Governor and his team at the
State,”
said the
President of the Montana League of Cities and Towns and Roundup Mayor Sandra
Jones.
“We have worked side by side during this pandemic including developing
the local government reimbursement program. These funds are critical to
Montana’s 127 cities and towns and the work we do to serve Montanans every
day.”
Localities
will 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. Any entity will receive a maximum of four reimbursement payments.
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, such as
emergency operations center activities, training, facility disinfection,
technical assistance and more.
Local
governments can apply at COVIDRELIEF.MT.GOV or email
LGSportalregistrations@mt.gov for questions.
The
funding announcement today through the CARES Act is part of the $1.25 billion
provided to Montana from the federal government. Today’s announcement adds to
the $123 million in funding announced by Governor Bullock in May. A
comprehensive information resource and application portal is available at
COVIDRELIEF.MT.GOV.
New to the
website is a transparency dashboard at
https://commerce.mt.gov/Montana-Coronavirus-Relief/Awarded-Grants.