USDA Rural Development Invests in Eight Projects to Spur Job Creation and Support Small Businesses in Rural Montana

(Bozeman, Mont., October 20, 2026) - Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Montana State Director Bill Warden announced the agency is investing in eight projects to promote economic opportunity and support small business in rural Montana.

"Each of these projects represents real potential for job creation and long-term economic strength in rural Montana," said Warden. "By investing in planning, technical assistance, and business development, local partners are taking concrete steps to grow their communities. USDA Rural Development is pleased to support efforts that help small businesses expand, create new jobs, and build a more resilient rural economy in Montana."

The City of Columbus is awarded $33,300 to secure professional consulting for a downtown revitalization plan. As part of a larger redevelopment project, the plan will provide the community with strategic design elements to bring more engagement to the downtown area.

Missoula Economic Partnership is receiving a $26,000 grant to provide technical assistance and business development services to a small, emerging private business in rural Montana. Funds will specifically support a feasibility study and pre-development planning activities needed to evaluate a premium specialty lumber manufacturing facility with Holzbau LLC. The study will assess the feasibility of the proposed operation, including supply, certification, and production requirements. Results will help the small rural Montana business make informed investment decisions and plan for future expansion.

Montana Urban and Community Forestry Association (MUCFA) is awarded $34,568 in grant to establish a curriculum supporting a pre-apprenticeship pathway for small and emerging businesses within the community forestry industry in Kalispell and nearby rural communities. MUCFA is a non-profit organization that promotes the management, expansion, and care of community forests across Montana.

Jefferson Local Development Corporation will use $82,500 grant to develop a biodiesel zone report for planning and development of a project to develop new woody biomass-utilizing businesses at the Sunlight Business Park in Whitehall.

Plenty Doors Development Corporation in Crow Agency is awarded $97,487 to deliver comprehensive small business training and technical assistance. The project will provide entrepreneurs with guidance in business development topics. Plenty Doors Community Development Corporation is a local economic development organization that contributes to job creation and overall community vitality.

Headwaters RC&D will use a $50,000 grant to technical assistance to Blacktail Health in Butte. The technical assistance will help develop a plan for growth and operational improvements. This design phase project will lead to a proposed future new facility that could create 50-75 jobs. Headwaters RC&D is a non-profit organization focused on improving the economic and social well-being of the Southwest Montana region.

Headwaters RC&D is also receiving a $26,000 grant to provide funding with technical assistance to Bausch Potato Inc. in Whitehall. Bausch Potato Inc. is a local family farm that delivers fresh potatoes to Whitehall and surrounding areas. Bausch Potato will create jobs and train employees for skill advancement.

Additional funding to Headwaters RC&D provides the nonprofit $12,767 to offer technical assistance to Bears Den Essentials in Sheridan, a woman-owned rural manufacturing business. The business designs and produces finished heritage knitwear garments and other products. This project supports planning, business systems, and market development activities.

The purpose of USDA's Rural Business Development Grant Program is to promote economic development and job creation projects. Applications compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding various business and community projects that serve rural areas. There is no maximum grant amount; however, smaller requests are given higher priority. Most common use of funds in Montana include training and technical assistance, such as project planning, business counseling and training, market research, feasibility studies, professional or/technical reports, or producer service improvements.

USDA Rural Development invests in rural America with programs to promote rural prosperity. These programs expand access to high-speed internet, electricity and transportation infrastructure, and support economic growth, healthcare, education, housing and other community essentials. Discover more investment details and historical data in the Rural Data Gateway and learn more about the agency at www.rd.usda.gov/mt.

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