Growth Through Agriculture Program
New! - Online Application - New!
Webinar: How to Apply for a
Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) Grant/Loan
To view full webinar with audio: Click here
To view powerpoint version: Click here
This webinar is to inform and assist interested parties regarding how to apply online for grants and loans from the Growth Through Agriculture program.
Applications can now be completed online by going to the web address found within the first step for a GTA application. To apply, please click on the link for "New Applications" on the right side of this page under Program Tools, and follow the instructions.
Program Summary
The Growth Through Agriculture program is a grant and loan program established by the Montana Legislature to strengthen and diversify Montana's agricultural industry through the development of new agricultural products and processes.
Eligibility Criteria
The Council may make a grant or loan if it determines that the project is consistent with the goals of the Growth Through Agriculture Act. The projects should primarily add value to Montana's agricultural products and have the prospects to create and/or retain jobs in Montana.
The Council strongly urges applicants to contact their local economic development organization for assistance with their Growth Through Agriculture application or, as necessary with business and marketing plans. These organizations include the Small Business Development Center network and, specifically for food product or farm-based energy business development, the Food and Agricultural Development Center network.
Category I: Economic Development Projects may potentially be funded in a single application for a total amount of $150,000; in the form of grant funding up to $50,000 and loan funding up to $100,000. Examples of project activities involve equipment purchases, advertising/promotion, or consultant services such as engineering costs and feasibility studies.
Next deadline: January 31, 2012.
NOTE: Applications will be accepted in an electronic format for this deadline. To apply, please click on the link for "New Applications" on the right side of this page under Program Tools, and follow the instructions.
Category II: Mini Grant Projects may be funded a maximum grant amount of $2,500 for any single application. However, individual grants are generally limited to $1,000. The Mini Grant Program was developed to encourage economic and agricultural development through educational, promotional, marketing, travel and other business activities.
Deadline: Applications will be accepted on an open-cycle basis until all available funds are committed to approved projects.
It is highly recommended that potential applicants contact the Department directly by calling Angie Nelson, Program Manager, for guidance and funding availability before submitting a formal application. This is especially important due to the limited funding available statewide.
Please contact:
GTA Program Manager
Montana Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 200201
Helena, Montana 59620-0201
(406) 444-2402 phone
(406) 444-9442 fax
gta@mt.gov
