By Martin Kidston/Missoula Current

Gov. Steve Bullock this week announced more than $860,000 in grants to help businesses in seven Montana communities grow, including six located in Missoula and Ravalli counties.

Combined, the proceeds will help the organizations create 97 new jobs in Montana.

“From manufacturing and tech start-ups to value-added ag and craft brewing, Montana’s economy is growing and adding jobs faster than any other state,” Bullock said this week. “This investment in our small businesses enables them to grow and hire more workers, strengthening our communities and our local economies.”

The funds are awarded through the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund program. The program, managed by the Montana Department of Commerce, provides state funding to promote long-term stable economic growth in Montana through job creation and planning.

Including the latest grants, BSTF has awarded $1.7 million in job creation funds this year for 249 new jobs and $775,022 in planning funds for 40 projects.

Since July 2016, the program have impacted 29 Montana communities.

The following businesses in Missoula and Ravalli counties received funding from the program:

  • Missoula County received $60,000 to help Audience Awards expand and create eight new jobs in Missoula. The BSTF funds will be used for purchase of equipment, software, furnishings and reimbursement of wages.

Audience Awards is in the business of securing high quality video assets for major brand marketers to use in their marketing programs.

  • Missoula County received $29,600 to help HB Enterprises expand and ceate four new jobs in Missoula. The BSTF funds will be used for purchase of equipment, software, furnishings and reimbursement of wages.

GatherBoard is one of HB Enterprises, Inc.’s marketing tools that provides a functional calendar.

  • Missoula County received $75,000 to assist Modern Entrepreneur expand and create 10 new jobs in Missoula. The BSTF funds will be used for purchase of equipment, furniture, software, lease rate reduction and reimbursement of wages.

Modern Entrepreneur offers a range of full-service digital sales and marketing solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses.

  • Missoula County received $120,000 to help Orbital Shift and create 16 new jobs in Missoula. The BSTF funds will be used for purchase of equipment, software, furnishings, lease rate reduction and reimbursement of wages.

Orbital Shift is a cloud software application that allows employers to create and maintain staff schedules. The City of Bozeman also received $80,000 to also assist Orbital Shift in creating 16 new jobs in Bozeman.

  • Missoula County received $37,500 to help VIM & VIGR expand and create five new jobs in Missoula. The BSTF funds will be used for purchase of equipment, software, furnishings and reimbursement of wages.

VIM & VIGR manufactures fashionable compression socks.

  • Ravalli County received $22,500 to assist Everstone Sustainable Products to expand, which will allow the company to create three new jobs in Hamilton. The BSTF funds will be used for purchase of equipment and lease rate reduction. Everstone Sustainable Products, LLC is a startup business that manufacturers, fabricates and installs recycled glass surfacing panels.

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