Main Street grants available

The Montana Department of Commerce has announced that starting December 8 the Montana Main Street Program grant cycle will be open and accepting applications. “Montana’s Main Streets are vital to the strength and resiliency of our local economies,” Jennifer Olson, Montana Department of Commerce Community Development Division Administrator said in a December 2 press release. “These grants will help Montana communities restore healthy community districts and preserve the historic structures that made Montana the special place we all know and treasure.”

The Montana Main Street Program was established in 2005, and is currently serving 34 communities across the state, one of which is Thompson Falls. The program is aimed towards helping Montana communities strengthen and preserve their historic downtown commercial districts by supporting economic development, urban revitalization and historic preservation through long-term planning, organization, design and promotion, the press release states.

Funding from the grant can be used for planning efforts or brick-and-mortar projects that demonstrate local support and directly relate to downtown revitalization, economic development and history preservation plans. For more detailed information on application deadlines, visit http://www.mtmainstreet.mt.gov.