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Montana awards grants to ag businesses

Up to $110,000 being invested

By Diego Flammini, Farms.com

In an attempt to boost agriculture businesses throughout the state, Montana Governor Steve Bullock and the Agriculture Development Council are investing in seven local businesses.

“When we set out to create the Main Street Montana Project, expanding access to local foods and fostering growth in the agricultural sector were top priorities. These funds will help agriculture businesses grow and create jobs,” said Governor Bullock.

About $110,000 is being invested into the businesses through the Growth Through Agriculture program.

Grants

“The Ag Development Council looks for innovative businesses to add value to the products we grow in Montana. This cycle we were able to select a range of agriculture businesses that will help the industry grow,” said Council Chair Amy Kellogg.

The recipients include:

The Story Mill
Located in Laurel, Montana, the business will receive $8,000 in grants to help process oilseeds more efficiently. The mill uses local specialty crops to make cooking oil products.

Two Bears Farm, LLC
The Whitefish, Montana business will receive $17,500 in grant money. They will use it to invest in a mobile kitchen in an effort to expand the reach of their food.

Lower Valley Processing Company
The Kalispell, Montana operation will use their $50,000 in grants to help a building expansion project move forward and upgrade equipment for meat processing.

The Agriculture Development Council is currently accepting applications for their next round of funding and will be doing so until September 15, 2015 at 2:00pm.

Join the conversation and tell us your thoughts about the grants and their uses. How would you use grant money to improve your agribusiness?


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