The Montana Department of Commerce announced today the 2025 recipients of its Opportunities in Rural Economies (ORE) planning grants, awarding nearly $500,000 in funding to support projects that aim to strengthen local economies across rural Montana.
“The ORE Program plays a vital role in creating good-paying jobs, stimulating economic growth, helping businesses grow, and building a solid economic foundation for future generations of Montanans,” said Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio. “By using these grants to complete projects they would otherwise have to wait years to fund, these businesses and nonprofits move Montana forward.”
The ORE Program provides matching funds to support planning and feasibility projects that offer long-term economic benefits to their communities. The funding will assist businesses, nonprofits, and local governments in preparing for strategic economic development opportunities, including infrastructure improvements, industrial site redevelopment, and sector-specific planning.
One of the grant recipients, the Missoula Economic Partnership, will use its award to evaluate the redevelopment potential of the former Pyramid Mountain Lumber site in Seeley Lake. The project is seen as a critical first step toward revitalizing Montana’s wood products industry and bringing new manufacturing jobs to the region.
“We appreciate Commerce’s support for Montana’s wood products industry and for helping us lay the groundwork to bring new manufacturing jobs back to Seeley Lake,” said Grant Kier, president and CEO of the Missoula Economic Partnership. “This grant allows us to evaluate the Pyramid Mountain Lumber site’s potential for industrial reuse — a key step toward attracting private investment and creating long-term economic opportunity in the region.”
The 2025 grant cycle reflects the Department of Commerce’s ongoing commitment to empowering rural communities to plan and prepare for economic success. A full list of recipients and funded projects is expected to be published on the department’s website.
The following recipients and projects were chosen to receive ORE funding:
- Headwaters Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc. (Butte) will receive $30,000 to develop a comprehensive development plan for a targeted economic renewal district and urban renewal district in Dillon.
- Blend 10 Properties, LLC (Glasgow) will receive $10,000 to develop a preliminary engineering report.
- Carter County Chamber of Commerce (Ekalaka) will receive $30,000 for a boundary retraction survey.
- Durham SA and Property Management, LLC (Polson) will receive $1,440 for an energy audit.
- Gallatin Development Corporation, Inc. dba Prospera (Bozeman) will receive $30,000 to develop a center feasibility study in Manhattan.
- Great Falls Development Authority, Inc. (Great Falls) will receive $30,000 for a defense industry market assessment.
- Judith River Foundation (Malta) will receive $30,000 for a preliminary architectural report.
- Hamilton Community Cinema (Hamilton) will receive $10,250 for an architectural review assessment.
- Headwaters Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc. (Butte) will receive $25,000 to prepare plans and documents for implementation of a phase one wayfinding plan.
- Lake County Community Development Corporation, (Ronan) will receive $20,000 to assist Missoula Electric Cooperative in a feasibility study of an energy efficiency program.
- Missoula Economic Partnership (Missoula) will receive $30,000 for a site energy feasibility and redevelopment study.
- Millennium Hospitality, LLC (Circle) will receive $1,990 for an energy audit and plan.
- The Montana Cooperative Development Center (Great Falls) will receive $30,000 to facilitate a pilot program study.
- Northern Rocky Mountain Economic Development District (Bozeman) will receive $30,000 to develop a housing fund feasibility study.
- PatientOne, Inc. (Missoula) will receive $30,000 for a feasibility study.
- Plenty Doors Community Development Corporation (Crow Agency) will receive $30,000 for a workforce development feasibility study.
- Southeastern Montana Development Corporation (Colstrip) will receive $30,000 to assist OCOChem, Inc. in a site feasibility study.
- Spika Design & Manufacturing, Inc. (Lewistown) will receive $30,000 for architectural and engineering plans for facility expansion.
- Table 10 Restaurant, LLC (Polson) will receive $1,993 for an energy audit.
- Museum, Inc. dba The Heritage Museum (Libby) will receive $7,778 for a feasibility study to operate a locomotive exhibit.
- The McCallie School (Twin Bridges) will receive $30,000 for engineering plans for property site development.
- Virginia City Schoolhouse Foundation, Inc. (Virginia City) will receive $30,000 for a preliminary architectural report and feasibility study for the Virginia City Schoolhouse.