Bootstrap Montana Micro-Loan Program Issues Second Award to Belgrade Business Owner – Sunrise Pack Station

Bootstrap Montana, the new micro-loan program created by the Gianforte Family Charitable Trust and administered by TechRanch, is actively accepting loan applications. Funds have now been distributed to two rural Montana businesses: Kim Loftus Tile in Jefferson City, and more recently, Sunrise Pack Station http://www.sunrisepackstation.com/ in Belgrade. Many more zero-interest loans are available to rural Montana companies that show growth potential, bring new money into the state, and increase the level of employment in our communities.

Sunrise Pack Station (SPS) http://www.sunrisepackstation.com/ is owned by Shane McClaflin, a professional guide with seventeen years’ experience in Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. With the company of a cook, a wrangler and a part time fishing guide, Shane guides 3-5 day educational and fishing pack trips through the back country of Yellowstone National Park. Business aspects of SPS are administered by Shane’s wife, Sarah. Founded in March of 2006, SPS has reached a threshold where they can really accelerate their business growth by booking more trips and creating a larger customer base. According to Sarah McClaflin, “winter is the season for booking trips but due to very low cash flow, advertising is difficult.”

The funds provided by Bootstrap Montana allowed Sunrise Pack Station to generate more widespread interest in their back country trips by attending the International Sportsman Expo (ISE) in San Mateo, California, January 8-13, 2008. In attendance were families, individuals and employee groups seeking outdoor vacations. SPS hopes their presence at ISE will help them book new guests as well as build awareness of their company.

When asked why they attended the San Mateo ISE, Sarah replied “This expo is early in the booking season which runs from January through March. Our California customers enjoy Yellowstone National Park and are looking for adventures of this nature. ” Sarah explained this loan is important to them because of its timing and 0% interest rate. SPS reservations can be made by calling 406-388-2236 or by emailing [email protected].

TechRanch’s Gary Bloomer says “Sunrise Pack Station is an excellent example of a company that brings net new money into the state. As a commercial outfitter, the main clients of the company are from out of state – people looking to experience the Montana wilderness if only for one week each year. That has a great ripple effect through the Montana economy as those visitors book lodging, eat in restaurants and buy goods – all in Montana.”

Bootstrap Montana, administered by TechRanch (http://www.techranch.org), is a micro-loan program for entrepreneurs in rural Montana. This initiative is the first of its kind to target Montana’s under-served rural communities to spur economic growth with $90,000 in loan funds available immediately. Loans are meant to assist rural Montana companies in accelerating revenue growth. These loans are offered at 0% interest for the first year. For more information, please visit http://www.bootstrapmontana.org.