| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Justin Hager |
| April 9, 2007 | (406) 444-2402 |
Development Council Selects GTA Projects
HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Agriculture Development Council has awarded $381,091 of funding to 14 Growth Through Agriculture projects for agricultural development, according to council Chair John Franklin.
“We had an excellent and diverse group of applicants, including projects using new technology and the expansion of existing businesses through marketing and equipment upgrades,” said Nancy K. Peterson, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture.
The Agriculture Development Council oversees the Growth Through Agriculture
program, the source of funding the council uses for project investments.
The goal of the GTA program is to provide financial assistance to develop
new products or innovative ideas that enhance our state’s agricultural
industry.
In the latest round, the council awarded investment funds to:
-- Montana Merchandising, Inc. doing business as Montana Milling, Inc., Great Falls, $50,000 return-on-investment deferred loan toward the expansion of the production into new markets.
-- Elliotts, Fort Benton, $25,000 return-on-investment loan for production and storage upgrades; $25,000 grant for expanded development of brand recognition.
-- PrecisionCropManagement, LLC and RapidEye, AG, Cut Bank, $16,300 grant toward the development of a remote sensing program to optimize grain production and quality.
-- Bitterroot Gardeners Collective, Corvallis, $7,921 grant toward the purchase of food growing and harvesting equipment to establish a garden tool library.
-- National Carbon Offset Coalition, Inc., Butte, $20,000 grant toward the development of a cropland based carbon credit trading program.
-- Glacier Fresh Orchard and Packing House, Bigfork, $50,000 return-on-investment loan toward the business’s expansion and cold storage upgrades.
-- Brandborg and Associates, doing business as the Bitterroot Fish Hatchery, Hamilton, $7,600 return-on-investment deferred loan toward the development and enhancement of the hatchery’s fresh water system.
-- Lil Blue Heeler, Inc., Great Falls, $27,820 return-on-investment loan toward the creation and implementation of a strategic sales and marketing plan.
-- Xionetic Technologies, Inc., Bozeman, $21,250 grant toward the creation and facilitation of an oilseed exchange Internet site.
-- Bighorn Botanicals, Inc., $35,000 return-on-investment loan toward the expansion of the business’s manufacturing capabilities.
-- Pondera Economic Development Corporation, Conrad, $11,500 grant toward a business plan and plant and wastewater treatment system engineering designs for the Regional Montana Meat Processing Plant.
-- Montana CiderWorks, Sula, $13,700 grant for expansion and cider equipment upgrades.
-- US Omega3 Foods, LLC, Florence, $50,000 return-on-investment loan toward the launch of the business’s national marketing campaign.
-- Madison county Economic Development Council, Virginia City, $20,000 grant toward marketing brand recognition of “Montana Black”, as locally raised, natural Montana beef.
Montana agricultural producers and industry representatives serve on the Agriculture Development Council. Council members are: John Franklin of Sidney, chair; David Tyler of Belgrade, vice-chair; Ervin Schlemmer of Joliet; Patricia Quisno of Harlem; Bill Koenig of Kalispell; Nancy K. Peterson, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture; and Tony Preite, director of the Montana Department of Commerce.
The next deadline for project applications to the Growth Through Agriculture program is April 30, 2007. The council plans to review the next round of project applications in early June.
For more information and application materials, contact Justin Hager, Growth Through Agriculture program manager, at the Montana Department of Agriculture, at (406) 444-2402 or by e-mail at agr@mt.gov.
