State

Fire crews to keep close to teams for fire season

An active fire season and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic will put new strains on firefighting this year, though state officials expressed readiness for both challenges last week.

Loan deferment program created for Montana businesses

HELENA – Businesses and other entities statewide whose operations were impacted by the coronavirus pandemic can now seek to defer payments on existing loans for up to 12 months as part of a new state program.

Gov. Steve Bullock announced the program June 17. Federal Coronavirus relief funds will be used to provide payments to lenders to cover interest for six- to 12 months, up to 6 percent or $150,000, for approved borrowers.

$108,000 hunger relief funding granted to local community school districts, nonprofits

HELENA – Over $100,000 in funding was granted to six organizations to continue operating emergency food services in response to COVID-19.

Gov. Steve Bullock and Montana No Kid Hungry announced the $108,550 in grants June 17.

Emergency education grants announced

HELENA – Education entities will receive $8.7 million in federal grants to ramp up remote learning opportunities, technology infrastructure and workforce training.

Gov. Steve Bullock announced the grants June 12.

Local governments, meat processors and small businesses to get CARES Act relief

HELENA – Federal CARES Act dollars will be used to support local governments, small businesses and local meat processors for pandemic-related costs, officials announced June 4.

The Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant is available to aid small and medium-sized meat processors responding to COVID-19 supply chain disruptions by supporting local meat processing infrastructure and capacity in Montana.

Search for silver linings

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Montana ranchers and agricultural producers are, by and large, resilient problem solvers by their nature and occupation. Weathering storms is something with which they are all too familiar, and the current COVID-19 world pandemic is a stark reminder of the interdependent nature of the cattle industry in an otherwise relatively isolated livelihood.

Support for destination communities announced for Phase 2 reopening

HELENA – To protect communities expected to see an influx of travelers, Gov. Steve Bullock announced additional support to help monitor and contain the coronavirus.

Phase 2 reopening began June 1, and Yellowstone's National Parks' Montana gates reopened that date.

Montana moving to phase 2 reopening, gatherings up to 50 people

Gatherings of up to 50 people will begin to be allowed June 1, as Montana moves into Phase 2 of its reopening plan for the coronavirus pandemic.

Gov. Steve Bullock announced the phase progression in a press call Tuesday.

Physical distancing will continue to be required, as will stepped up disinfection and sanitation protocols. Vulnerable populations are asked to continue to isolate. Nursing and assisted living homes will continue to operate under Phase 1 guidelines, with no visitors (except in compassionate care situations).

Half a million masks secured for health care workers

HELENA – Montana received a shipment of 500,000 N95 masks from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) May 18, to be stored at the state warehouse.

"I’m grateful that FEMA and our federal partners assisted in getting the supplies we need to continue to mitigate the virus and I will continue to push for a consistent supply to support our ongoing efforts," Gov. Steve Bullock said. "The masks we secured today will ensure our health care workers, who are the backbone of the fight against COVID-19, have what they need to safely do their jobs."

Energy assistance program extended for pandemic

HELENA – An additional $5 million in federal CARES Act funding will be available for Montanans struggling to afford home energy costs because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Gov. Steve Bullock announced the program assistance extension May 14.