Montana CDC Reaching Out to Communities Around the State:
 Grant from Create Jobs for USA Spurs Job Creation in Montana
January 11, 2012
 Montana CDC has received a capital grant from the Create Jobs for USA Fund, a collaboration between Starbucks and Opportunity Finance Network (OFN). The money will help Montana CDC create and sustain jobs in Montana as part of a national campaign to support community businesses in underserved communities. The Create Jobs for USA Fund pools donations from Starbucks customers, partners/employees, and concerned citizens into a nationwide fund, held and managed by OFN, for community business lending. Donors who contribute $5 or more will receive a red, white, and blue wristband with the message “Indivisible.” The wristbands are individually handmade in the U.S.A. and all component materials are manufactured by U.S. suppliers, so the effort is also helping support American manufacturing jobs.
Young Entrepreneurs Grow Niche Market with Montana CDC Loan
December 8, 2011
 Ashot Oganesyan and wife, Michell Vang, are providing a niche market to the Missoula area. The young entrepreneurs started A Shot of International, LLC in December of 2010 and recently obtained a loan from Montana CDC to expand their international grocery store. Their store is the only place in Missoula that carries a variety of authentic food products imported from many countries around the world, specifically Russia, Europe and Asian countries. Ashot has taken advantage of Montana CDC’s ongoing technical assistance by working extensively with Montana CDC’s Accounting Advisor to get his businesses financials faultless as the word continues to spread on this niche market.
Libby Project Wins Top Award
October 27, 2011
Last week, Montana CDC's $17 million Stinger Welding expansion project in Libby, Montana received the top award for best use of New Markets Tax Credits among projects from across the country. The award was presented to Montana CDC by the Novogradac Community Development Foundation during its annual New Markets Tax Credit Conference in Chicago last week. Through collaboration and access to the latest financing tools, Montana entrepreneurs can do truly great things for themselves and their communities - truly, great, award-winning things.
New Tools for Montana Small Businesses
October 12, 2011
Montana CDC was recently approved as an SBA 7(a) Community Advantage guaranteed lender, allowing us to increase access to capital in underserved populations across Montana. We were also included in a new U.S. Treasury Department program, which is a part of Senator Baucus' Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. Montana CDC received $585,000 in loan funds under the program which will help leverage up to six times that amount in additional capital to lend out to small businesses across the state. With these new tools, Montana CDC can help more people build businesses and economic opportunities for themselves and their communities.
Native-Owned Business Expands with Loan Partnership
September 23, 2011
Montana CDC worked out a financing package for Plain Feather Construction, a commercial construction company in Billings, with the help of the Native American Development Corporation (NADC) in Billings. Through this loan partnership, Montana CDC and NADC created the perfect financing fit to help grow this Eastern Montana business, resulting in stabilization for a Native-owned company and three new jobs in a down economy. Montana CDC is excited for the opportunity to partner with local community development organizations such as NADC to deliver native borrowers the financing they need to grow their business and help drive their local economies.
Montana CDC is New Host to Kalispell PTAC
September 2, 2011
 Previously hosted by the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, the PTAC is now managed by Montana CDC, but will continue to be located in the Kalispell Chamber's Flathead Regional Business Center. Montana CDC also hosts the Missoula PTAC, which has proven to be a great complement to Montana CDC's business financing and consulting products, bringing additional resources to small businesses under one roof. Montana CDC looks forward to bringing this same combination of business resources to the Kalispell area, and to have Doug Bolender, Subcenter Director of the Kalispell PTAC, on the team.
U.S. Treasury Awards MCDC $1.5 Million to Lend Out to Small Businesses
August 8, 2011
 Great news for Montana businesses! The U.S. Treasury Department recently announced that Montana CDC was one of several organizations nationwide to receive the top dollar award of $1.5 million to lend out to small businesses around the state. Using previous CDFI funding, Montana CDC has provided over 40 entrepreneurs throughout the state with loans to start or grow their small businesses. In Bozeman, Katherine Dayton used Montana CDC financing to purchase Visions Service Adventures, which allows high-school students to participate in community service in cross-cultural communities.
$17 Million Commercial Project for Libby, Montana
July 21, 2011
 Montana CDC announced the closing of $17 million in financing to complete the construction of a new steel fabrication plant for Stinger Welding Inc. in Libby, Montana. U.S. Senator Max Baucus, Montana CDC, Stinger Welding Inc. and the Urban Investment Group at Goldman Sachs each played a critical role to complete the financing of the plant, which will create over 100 new jobs at Stinger’s plant, returning a major industrial employer to Libby.
$7.5 Million Commerical Building Project Continues Revitalization of Helena's Historic Last Chance Gulch Area
July 18, 2011
 Montana CDC announced the closing of its second New Markets Tax Credit project in Helena: a new $7.5 million commercial building for Helena’s historic downtown. It will house the Browning, Kaleczyc, Berry, and Hoven, P.C. law firm, provide for additional office space and bring new jobs to Helena. This is Helena's second NMTC project, the only Montana city to have more than one NMTC project. The new building is utilizing one of the vacant lots on the Southside of downtown, acting as a catalyst for continued growth and development of Helena's downtown.
SBA Awards $750,000 in Small Business Funds to Montana CDC
June 29, 2011
 This week brought good news for Montana entrepreneurs, as $750,000 in microloan funds was awarded to Montana CDC to lend out to small businesses across the state! The Small Business Administration (SBA) presented Montana CDC with $750,000 in loan funds to create business growth throughout Montana. Montana CDC has used its previous SBA funding to build thriving businesses around the state. In downtown Missoula, Sonia Mussiett was able to open an events equipment rental shop, Events Boutique, with a SBA microloan and business help from Montana CDC's business consultants. Montana CDC is the only provider of SBA micro funds and is eager to get this funding out the door and into the hands of small businesses that need the extra help to start or grow their business.
Montana CDC's Business Consulting and Loan Program Keeps Local Childcare Business Thriving
June 3, 2011
 Katie Watterson and Correy Harrison are co-owners of Sunflower Montessori, an established and respected Missoula preschool and daycare. When the landlord put one of their buildings up for sale, Katie and Correy needed to act fast to avoid disruption of their business. Montana CDC recognized the huge impact Sunflower Montessori has in the Missoula community, where quality daycare is in short supply. Montana CDC acted fast with its business consulting services and an Montana CDC childcare loan, funded with CDFI American Recovery and Reinvestment Act financing. With the flexibility of Montana CDC’s loan program and the dedication of its business consultants, Sunflower Montessori was able to continue providing the working families of Missoula with quality childcare services.
Montana CDC Sees Results from U.S. Senator Max Baucus' 2010 Butte Economic Summit by being Named Partner in Goldman Sachs Business Growth Collaborative
May 13, 2011
 Montana CDC was chosen as one of 21 community financial institutions nation-wide to participate in a prestigious small business collaborative established by Goldman Sachs. Montana CDC's opportunity to participate in this important collaborative arose out of the 2010 Butte Economic Summit hosted by U.S. Senator Max Baucus where Montana CDC representatives had a seat at the table with the global investment company. The new 3-year initiative helps community financial institutions like Montana CDC build knowledge and capacity to make more loans to small businesses in Montana. Montana CDC’s partnership in The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business CDFI Growth Collaborative means that Montana businesses will have access to the latest small business financing ideas and resources through Montana CDC.
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