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Feeling lost?
If you haven’t applied for funding, or if you have questions, ask us for help!
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New Hires!
We're excited to welcome two new employees: Corey Hageman, regional director, and Sean McGuire, executive assistant. They are slowly beginning to meet people around the region, but you can introduce yourself by emailing them at ncmeddregdir@gmail.com (Corey) and ncmeddinfo@gmail.com (Sean). Press releases and other information coming very soon!
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EIDL funding still available!
If you're a business owner and you haven't applied yet for EIDL funding, now is the time! This is money specifically designated by the U.S. Small Business Administration in order to assist small businesses and agricultural businesses (500 employees or less) that have lost revenue for reasons relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. The EIDL Advance program is no longer available, but EIDL loans can still be procured.
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"Trends in Online Selling for Food Producers" : a FREE webinar tomorrow!
As the current pandemic has turned the food industry upside down, consumers are rushing to buy directly from producers. Farmers and vendors have been forced to reimagine how they sell to their customers, sometimes leveraging technology or systems that may be unfamiliar. This program will cover how vendors are managing order taking, pick-up and delivery, mailing lists, digital order forms, and contactless payment in the new direct to consumer marketplace.
Wednesday, December 2nd at 8:00 am MST
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Reports due soon for MT Business Stabilization Grants!
Reports for Montana Business Stabilization Grant are due no later than January 30th, 2021. If you received this grant you should have received an email about it. It's a good idea to review the final report now to make sure you can spend it on appropriate line items. A couple questions that have come up so far are as follows:
1. Can I use the money for costs incurred before I received the grant if they are in the budget I submitted?
Yes, as long as the costs were paid after March 1st and are in your budget as a line item.
Example: you put annual insurance cost on your budget when you apply in May but the bill comes due and you pay it in June before you get the grant money in July. You can count that cost as use of the grant money.
2. Do you have to stick to the budget you submitted exactly?
No, if one line item on your budget ends up being more and one ends up being less its ok as long as the money is spent toward something you had on your budget.
Example: you have $2000 budget for rent and $5000 for utilities in the budget you submit, but rent ends up being $4000 and utilities are only $3000. This works as valid use of grant money.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the report as I have a few contacts in Helena and other small business advisors who are very knowledgeable about the reporting process. Matt Harrington (229-0327 or matt.nacdc@gmail.com).
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The Blackfeet Tribe Emergency Small Business Assistance COVID-19 Relief Program is now open for applications. Only Blackfeet tribal members age 18 or older are eligible. Applicants must derive a substantial part of their household income from the small business. Businesses that apply must be in good standing with the Blackfeet Tribal Revenue Department and have 50 or fewer employees. Eligible applicants may reside outside of the Blackfeet Reservation, but all business operations must be on the reservation.
To be eligible, the business must prove loss directly or indirectly related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Must include supporting documents to verify loss sustained or cost incurred. Such documents may include, but not limited to, the IRS payroll or other tax forms (Business Tax Return), budgetary accounts, receipts, profit loss statements, and 2019 compared to 2020 revenue documents.
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The Local Initiatives Support Corporation has a grant deadline coming up! You have until Sunday, December 6th to submit an application for their Rural Relief Small Business grant.
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BSTF Workforce Recovery Program
The BSTF Workforce Recovery program is designed to support Montana businesses that had to lay-off employees and/or reduce the hours of the employee to part-time status due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Commerce will reimburse Montana businesses based on the growth of jobs up to pre COVID-19 levels. The Workforce Recovery program will reimburse a business for the wages of full-time, permanent jobs that are created and retained for at least six months, up to a maximum of 25 jobs per business. Businesses apply directly to the program. A reimbursement of up to $7,500 per job is available to businesses in high-poverty counties. The business must match $3,750 per job. A reimbursement of up to $5,000 per job, with a $5,000 match, is available for businesses in all other counties. Click here to apply.
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The Small Business Administration's Office of Native American Affairs is offering Empowerment Workshops that teach practical business planning tools! This is a great opportunity to up your business knowledge game and make some critical improvements to your business! Click here to learn more!
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Cultivating Healthy Plants (Webinar)
"Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for weeds involves many varied strategies. The pros and cons of different weed management will be discussed, including prevention strategies, cultural or sanitation practices, biological controls, mechanical or physical controls, and chemical controls. This 1-hour webinar will target homeowners and green industry professionals."
Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 12:00 noon MST
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Cropping Seminar in 2021-- for free!
"MSU Cascade County Extension will host a free, annual cropping seminar series January 6, 2021 in Great Falls. Speakers will cover grasshopper control, antagonistic effects of herbicides, management of herbicide resistant weeds, and farm and ranch safety.
Presentations will be broadcasted due to Covid-19. Producers can contact Rose Malisani at (406) 454-6980 if they prefer to view the presentations at home. Producers attending the in-person events should plan to adhere to current local and state Covid-19 guidelines and RSVP to the MSU Cascade County Extension office by January 4 at (406) 454-6980.
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Webinar for SBA Grants!
Did you know your business could be eligible for grants as high as $10,000? SBA’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) is here to help small businesses to export. Are you interested in taking advantage of e-Commerce to sell to customers overseas? The future is moving online faster than ever! Nearly 60% of the entire world’s population is on the Internet, and 95% of the world’s consumers are outside the United States.
Now is the time for small businesses to develop an international e-commerce platform to reach international buyers. Learn how STEP provides companies like yours with grants to increase exports.
In this webinar you will:
- Learn how to apply for a STEP grant to help expand your ability to export
- Hear from successful exporters that used their STEP grants for a variety of business needs -- website translation, SEO, digital marketing strategies, e-Commerce expansion, intellectual property protection, and a range of other activities
- Ask SBA's Office of International Trade and the State partners your questions on how to STEP ahead.
- This is a can’t miss opportunity to tap into a SBA export grant and go global. Sales opportunities in new markets are waiting for you!
December 15th: 12:00-1:00 PM MST
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Do you know about any upcoming activities? Do you have a COVID-19 update? Is something happening in your area? Tell us about it! We can help spread the word! |
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Did you have this e-mail forwarded to you? Do you want to see news like this in your inbox every Tuesday? |
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