The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $237,000 in business development in rural southwestern Montana and across the state. Anaconda Local Development Corporation was awarded $101,683 to assist area rural businesses. USDA awarded the grants through the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program. See a complete list of the 12 projects funded in Montana.
“Small business development and retention is critical to the prosperity of our rural towns and communities,” said Montana State Director Charles Robison. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural Montana in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know when rural Montana thrives, all of Montana thrives.”
Anaconda Local Development Corporation (ALDC) received three grants totaling $101,683 to assist Donivan’s Family Restaurant, KB Enterprise and Last Best Foods. A new point of sale system purchased by ALDC will be leased to Donivan’s Family Restaurant. The system will improve the restaurant’s workflow, staff efficiency and ultimately customer satisfaction. USDA’s investment leveraged an additional $4,124 in private investment. ALDC will provide KB Enterprise with technical assistance by contracting with Oregon-based plastic extrusion design and tooling company Polyform Inc for professional designs of extrusion molds. This will create the opportunity for KB Enterprise to start new manufacturing while making on-site labor costs more efficient. USDA’s investment leveraged an additional $4,500 in private investment. Last Best Foods, manufacturer of Wind’s Pasties, will lease state of the art equipment for its new location. A new spiral dough mixer, natural gas range, convection ovens, walk-in coolers and freezer will allow the company to increase its production, add product buyers and hire new employees. USDA’s investment leveraged an additional $35,083 in private investment.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/mt.
Montana USDA Rural Development staff will host an online RBDG workshop via Zoom on Wednesday, October 21 from 10 am to 3 pm MDT. The webinar will dive into the RBDG program, eligible projects, application process and requirements, and much more! Small businesses, farms and ranches, economic developers and other interested partners can register for the webinar here.
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