Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF) Program Summary

The Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF) program is a state-funded program created by the 2005 Legislature. It is designed to aid in the development of good paying jobs for Montana residents and promote long-term stable economic growth in Montana.

The BSTF program is designed to provide financial assistance in the following two categories:

Category I: Economic Development Projects 75% of BSTF earnings shall be awarded to local governments in the form of grants and loans for economic development projects that create net new qualifying jobs for Montana residents. Applications will be accepted on an open-cycle basis until all available funds are committed to approved projects.

Category II: Planning Grants 25% of BSTF earnings shall be awarded to Certified Regional Development Corporations and other qualified economic development organizations in areas not covered by a CRDC in the form of a grant for planning activities such as feasibility studies, business plans and preliminary architectural reports. Applications will be accepted throughout the year on a quarterly basis.

Please reference the attached guidelines for further information on the eligible activities and requirements for funding under this program. It is highly recommended that potential applicants contact the Department directly by calling Angela Nelson, Program Manager at (406)841-2792 or Quinn Ness, Section Manager at (406)841-2758 or a Department Regional Development Officer (RDO) http://businessresources.mt.gov/BRD_rdooffices.asp for guidance and funding availability before submitting a formal application. This is especially important due to the limited funding available statewide.

http://businessresources.mt.gov/brd_trustfund.asp