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Funds available for Montana small business employee training

Thanks to the Incumbent Workforce Training (IWT) Grant Program from the Montana Department of Labor, funding is available to help support employers’ training efforts. According to Chris Parson of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for NW Montana, the matching grant program will provide up to $2000 for education and training of each full-time employee or $1000 for each part-time employee.

In order to qualify for the matching funds, a business must be registered with the Secretary of State and have been in operation for more than one year. The business must have no more than 20 workers in one location and 50 or less statewide. Employees must be either full time (35+ hours per week) or part-time (average 20-34 hours/week) and have been on the job for at least six months. Each business must also be able to demonstrate a need for the training and able to define some expected economic benefit. They must also be able to match funding at the rate of one dollar for every four dollars provided through the grant.

The grant will cover registration fees, books and instructional supplies and well as some travel and lodging costs. This training cannot be normally provided by the business or required to maintain a special license.

Trainers must be part of Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC), tribal colleges or branches of the state university system. Additionally, the grant will cover training programs recommended by the SBDC, Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) or Business Expansion and Retention Program (BEAR). All three entities maintain offices at the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce in the Depot Building.

A special web page has been created which contains grant details, match examples, a financial agreement and application forms. Information is available at http://www.nwmontanabusiness.com. From the home page, click on Business Services and then Training.

Chris Parson 406-758-2802 or Bill Nicholson 406-756-8329

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