• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Digital News Updates
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business

Montana Receives $3.5 Million Grant to Support Laid-Off Sibanye-Stillwater Mine Workers

December 21, 2024

Gov. Greg Gianforte, U.S. Senator Steve Daines, U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke, and the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) today announced that Montana has secured a $3.5 million federal grant to assist workers recently laid off from the Sibanye-Stillwater Mine in the state’s largest recent mining workforce reduction.

“This grant is a vital step in providing support to the 700 miners affected by the layoffs at the Sibanye-Stillwater Mine,” said Gov. Gianforte. “While we still have more work ahead, Montana will continue to stand by these workers and their families as they navigate this challenging transition.”

In September, Sibanye-Stillwater announced plans to lay off approximately 700 employees. In response, DLI submitted an $11.5 million proposal to the federal Department of Labor to support workforce retraining, job placement, and other services for the displaced workers, their families, and local businesses impacted by the job losses.

Senator Daines expressed his support for the grant, calling the layoffs a “tragic blow” to Montana communities. “I applaud the leadership of Governor Gianforte and his team for securing this much-needed relief for impacted families,” Daines said. “I will continue working to find solutions that protect and grow mining jobs in Montana.”

While the $3.5 million grant provides crucial immediate relief, Congressman Zinke emphasized that more support is necessary to fully address the needs of the affected workers. “This is a good start, but much more help is needed,” Zinke said. “In addition to bridge funding, we must push for policies that prevent job losses like this from happening in the first place, including efforts to protect Montana’s mining industry from foreign market manipulation.”

DLI Commissioner Sarah Swanson noted the importance of the grant in helping workers transition to new career opportunities. “This is a meaningful win for the workers and their families,” she said. “The funding will provide them with more resources to enhance their skills, pursue further education, or participate in apprenticeship programs to help them get back on their feet.”

The grant will support the displaced miners by offering a variety of services, including training and education programs to help them transition into new industries. The initiative aims to not only assist individuals in their career recovery but also bolster the economic stability of the surrounding communities.

This federal funding comes as part of ongoing efforts to help Montanans affected by job losses in critical industries and ensure that the workforce can successfully adapt to new opportunities.

By: DNU staff

Filed Under: News

Related Articles:

  • Governor Armstrong Appoints Andrew Eyre to Northeast Central Judicial District Judgeship
  • Montana Maintains Near-Record Low Unemployment
  • North Dakota Development Fund Approves $2.16 Million in Loans Supporting Child Care, Technology, and Agriculture
  • Wyoming Guarsdman Named Deputy Surgeon General for Army National Guard
  • Montana Digital Academy Launches Frontier Learning Lab
  • Governor Little Appoints Juliet Charron as Director of Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

Primary Sidebar

Digital News Updates Logo

Recent News Posts

  • Governor Little Appoints Juliet Charron as Director of Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
  • North Dakota Development Fund Approves $2.16 Million in Loans Supporting Child Care, Technology, and Agriculture
  • Montana Digital Academy Launches Frontier Learning Lab
  • UM Program Awarded $2.4M to Support Behavioral Health Care Across Montana

Recent Politics Posts

  • Montana Leaders Rally Behind Flint Appointment
  • Trump signs order to bring back Presidential Fitness Test
  • What will redistricting mean for the 2026 midterms?
  • Governor Gianforte Seeks Applicants for Two District Court Vacancies in Yellowstone County

Recent Business Posts

  • North Dakotaʼs LIFT Program Awards $1 Million Loan to Trilogy LLC for Oil and Gas Innovation
  • Market Hits Seasonal Turbulence After Soaring to Record Highs
  • Stocks Rally as Tech and Earnings Power Wall Street
  • Simplot to Acquire Clarebout Potatoes

Copyright © 2025 Digital News Updates, All Rights Reserved.