State

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

Article Image Alt Text

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.

State receives swabs, transport medium for virus testing

HELENA – Montana received 19,500 swabs and 9,000 viral transport medium from the federal government on May 11  to assist statewide testing efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

The supplies will allow for continued testing of Montanans with symptoms of the viral disease, and allow for ramping up testing in vulnerable populations such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities and tribal communities.

Childcare grants available due to pandemic

HELENA – Montana childcare providers now have access to $10 million in federal CARES Act funding to assist with reopening.

The $10 million is funded through the CARES Act Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG). It is not part of the state's $1.25 billion coronavirus relief fund dollars. The grants became available May 6.

Emergency grants available through statewide CARES Act funds

HELENA – Families, small businesses, nonprofits, health services centers and individuals across the state who have been hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic can apply for grant funding through nine new programs created in response to the pandemic.

The $123 million in grants became available May 7, Gov. Steve Bullock said.

Gyms, movie theaters may start to open May 15

HELENA – Gyms, fitness studios, pools, movie theaters and museums will be allowed to open with strict guidelines starting May 15, Gov. Steve Bullock announced May 7.

Bullock issued additional phase one reopening guidelines for the facilities, which require strict physical distancing, sanitization and limited capacity for such facilities.