Help Is On The Way For Montana Businesses

Twenty Montana businesses will get nearly $900,000 to bring back over 150 workers laid off since the pandemic.

The Commerce Department says it will reimburse half the cost of payroll if rehired workers remain on the payroll for at least 6 months up to $5000. The state will pay more in counties with a high poverty rate. In those counties, businesses only have to match $3750 to get a reimbursement of $7500 per job.

Big Sky Resort in Bozeman and Class Pass in Missoula got the two largest grants - $125,000 each. A secret shopper company in Bozeman and a PR firm in Missoula got the smallest grants at $5000 each.

The Workforce Recovery program is still taking applications on a first-come, first-served basis until Dec 31st.