The Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) 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. Examples of eligible project activities involve equipment purchases, construction costs, advertising and promotion, and consultant services for engineering.

*Please NOTE - this will be the only application deadline for Growth Through Agriculture for fiscal year 2018 (July 2017 - June 2018).*

Before you begin the application process you must be able to demonstrate that the proposed project meets the following General Criteria for Funding:

The project is consistent with the goals of the Growth Through Agriculture Act and:
1) primarily adds value to Montana’s agricultural products,
2) has the prospects for commercial success given current personnel, experience and resources of the applicant,
3) has the prospects to create and/or retain jobs in Montana,
4) primarily processes or adds value to Montana’s agricultural products currently produced or potentially produced in the state, and
5) has the management structure to allow the Agriculture Development Council to reasonably conclude that the applicant will comply with ongoing reporting and monitoring activities.

It is recommended that you begin working on your application as early as possible. For assistance in planning your project and working on your application, please contact your local Food and Agriculture Development Center or Small Business Development Center by September 1, 2017 for the best possible service.

Targeted Areas - The Agriculture Development Council has designated the following targeted areas to be eligible for consideration for 0% interest rate loans:
•Businesses expanding or adding value to Montana commodities, and
•Businesses transitioning beyond direct sales/farmers markets

Loan Rates - Loan rates for this year have been set at 0% for the low rate and 5% for the high rate. 

Typically salaries and overhead costs are not eligible for funding. Unless otherwise specified by the Council, any food or beverage/meal costs associated with the project are typically not funded and should be clearly specified in the application if proposed.

To begin the Growth Through Agriculture application process:

• Read the program guidelines  in order to determine whether or not your project is eligible and learn more about the details of the program. 

Guidelines: http://agr.mt.gov/Portals/168/Documents/GrantsandLoans/GTA/GTAGuidelines.pdf

 • If you have any questions about the eligibility of your project, please contact the GTA Program Staff at (406) 444-0134 or gta@mt.gov.

• Contact your local Food and Agricultural Development Center Network www.foodandag.mt.gov, or Small Business Development Center www.sbdc.mt.gov, to discuss your project and get assistance in applying for a Growth Through Agriculture grant or loan. You are also welcome to work with your local economic development organization.

• Register with the Montana Secretary of State. If your company is not already registered with the Montana Secretary of State, you may need to do so before going further with the application process. Organizations other than Sole Proprietorships must be registered with the Montana Secretary of State prior to submittal of the GTA application. Any application from an organization that is not registered with the Montana Secretary of State will not be accepted.

• Register Online. Before you can fill out an application, make sure that you have registered and received a username and password at www.fundingmt.org - see attached instructions below "Webgrants Registration Instructions"

• Log In. After registering, log in with your username and password and click "Start a New Application". Then follow the steps in the "GTA Application Instructions" attached below.

• Prepare Financial Statements. Prepare the cash flow statement, projected to a point of positive cash flow and profitability, and balance sheet to accompany your application. All applications must include: a cash flow statement, a current and projected balance sheet, and a list of all key financial assumptions.  Forms are available at: http://agr.mt.gov/Growth-Through-Agriculture. The list of key assumptions should provide the basis for all major financial projections. Any application that does not include these items in the prescribed form will not be accepted.

• Note: The GTA financial spreadsheet is the only format accepted - if you have any questions about putting your information in this format, please contact your local Small Business Development Center: www.sbdc.mt.gov.

• Credit Check Release Form. Attached below. This form must be received by mail or fax by the application deadline. Complete the form and submit it by fax or mail it to:

GTA Program
Montana Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 200201
Helena, Montana 59620-0201
(406) 444-9442 fax

You may also contact GTA staff at the number above for assistance.

Final Deadline: EXTENDED to November 15, 2017 by 2:00pm - submit by no later than November 14th in order to allow time to respond to any technical issues that may arise prior to the deadline.

GTA Deadline: September 15,  2017 - EXTENDED Deadline - November 15, 2017 - 2:00pm

The GTA Program will begin receiving applications as of September 15, 2017; however, the Council will continue to accept applications until November 15, 2017 at 2:00pm.

Reimbursement for applications will be considered from the Ag Council from September 15, 2017, and documentation of matching funds will be considered from November 15, 2017.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be sure not to request GTA funds for any project expenditures before September 15, 2017.

Additional Items to Note:

Staff Application Review Criteria. Applications will be reviewed by both staff and the Council. The general review criteria used by staff to review the project are attached below.

Decision Timeline. The Council will tentatively meet in February 2018 to determine which projects to fund, and may elect to fund a project through grants or loans or both a grant and loan funding.

Reimbursement Awards. All awards are provided on a reimbursement basis, unless otherwise specified by the Council.

Security Required for both Grant and Loan Awards. Security provisions are required for both grant and loan awards and are structured on an individual case basis.

NOTE: File Formats - Please contact program staff at the contact information above if you are having any technical issues with file formats or versions.