Montana Workforce Training Grant Funds Available from Commerce

Montana businesses will have a new opportunity to obtain
financial support for employee training starting July 1, 2007.
Approximately $4 million in Workforce Training Grant (WTG) program funds
will become available July 1, from the Montana Department of Commerce.

The state-funded WTG program is also known as the primary sector
training grant program and the new worker training grant program. It was
designed to assist new and expanding businesses in new worker training
for industry specific skills.

"Every day we’re working to create more good jobs for Montanans," said
Governor Brain Schweitzer. "This program works hand in hand with our
economic development efforts, by providing an opportunity for newly
hired employees to obtain the necessary training and skills they need
for higher paying new jobs."

At Governor Schweitzer’s request, the 60th Montana Legislature increased
funding for WTG from $1.4 million annually, to nearly $4 million
annually. Department of Commerce Director Anthony Preite says the
confidence the Legislature showed in the program is proof that it works.

"Our Workforce Training Program is a highly effective tool for
businesses and the state economy," said Anthony Preite, Director of the
Montana Department of Commerce. "It is a flagship economic development
program, it is a moneymaker for the state budget and helps fund many
other state programs."

The state funded program is targeted toward businesses creating at least
one, net, new job that pays at least the current average county wage or
the current average state wage, whichever is lower. That wage can
include fringe benefits. New employees must work at least thirty-five
hours per week year round. Program applicants must demonstrate that at
least fifty percent of their sales originate outside of Montana. The
maximum funding available to train a single employee is $5,000.

Since 2004, twelve WTG awards have been made and award funding has
ranged from $75,000 to $1,955,000. Those awards have been leveraged
with more than $73 million in business investments. More than 1,500,
good paying, new jobs have been created for Montana workers. Past WTG
grantees include medical treatment facilities, aeronautics-related
businesses, cable/satellite television providers, a mine, a medical
transcription business, a tribal computer-related enterprise and an
Internet printing business.

Contact Fran Viereck, Job Training Grant Program Manager, Business
Resources Division, Department of Commerce, at 406-841-2736 or
[email protected] for program specific questions.

Interested applicants can find guidelines and current state and country
average wage rates on the web at:
http://www.mtfinanceonline.com/WorkForceGrnts.asp

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Marissa Kozel
Public Information Officer
Montana Department of Commerce, Director’s Office
406-841-2772
[email protected]