The Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program
Instructions and Forms for Grant and Loan Applications
Applications must be postmarked by mail and submitted in
www.funding.mt.gov by 5 pm on 6/1/2020.
No late applications will be accepted
COVID-19 Updates: Please submit your application online to www.funding.mt.gov and by mail or to the DNRC office. If you deliver directly to DNRC you will find directions on the main doors.
General Information
The Montana Legislature established the Renewable Resource Grant and Loan (RRGL) Program to enhance and develop Montana's renewable resources. The Resource Development Bureau of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) administers the program. This program is funded through earnings from certain natural resource-based taxes. Use this application to apply for Renewable Resource Grants and Loans.
Non-Public Facility Project Applications
This application is for non-public facility projects (stream restoration, irrigation, studies or other projects not for public facilities) sponsored by a government entity.
Public Facility Project Applications
Applications for Public Facility Projects (drinking water, wastewater, and solid waste projects) with multiple state funding sources must submit a Uniform Application for Montana Public Facility Projects and the RRGL Application Supplement to the Uniform Application (in place of this application). Public Facility Projects only applying for RRGL Program funds may use this application.
Submittal Information
DNRC requires two (2) forms of the application to meet the needs of multiple reviewers during the evaluation, scoring and ranking process. All grant and loan applicants (public and non-public facility) must submit all required materials (1. Submitted Online) and (2. Submitted by Mail) by June 1, 2020.
- 1. Submitted Online:
Online applications can be found www.dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/cardd and submitted online at http://www.funding.mt.gov
- 2. Submitted by Mail:
- One (1) original Authorizing Statement.
- One (1) unbound original application and all supporting documentation. Public Facility Projects will include a copy of the signed Preliminary Engineering Report (PER).
- Two (2) compact discs (CDs) OR two (2) USB drives containing the application and supporting technical documents, and
- $250.00 application fee.
Mail to: Montana DNRC-Resource Development Bureau
1539 11th Avenue, Floor 2
P.O. Box 201601
Helena, MT 59620-1601
Application Deadline
Application forms must be submitted online at http://www.funding.mt.gov and additional documents must be postmarked to the DNRC office no later than close of business day June 1, 2020. If you have questions, please contact our office at (406) 444-6668.
Project Eligibility
Project types eligible for funding are specified in 85-1-602, Montana Code Annotated (MCA).
[1] Either grants or loans may be provided to fund the following types of projects:
(a) feasibility, design, research, and resource assessment studies;
(b) preparation of construction, rehabilitation, or production plans; and
(c) construction, rehabilitation, production, education, or other implementation efforts.
Projects must enhance the common well-being of Montanans through the conservation, management, development, or preservation of a targeted renewable resource. Renewable resource projects, including water conservation, water for public, agricultural use or other beneficial uses, water quality, forestry, air quality, resource education, waste management, and other renewable resource-related projects are eligible to receive grant and loan funding.
Funding Limitations
Grants
The Montana Legislature appropriates funds directly to each project, based on amounts recommended by DNRC. DNRC limits grant funding recommendations to a maximum of $125,000 for any one renewable resource project.
Loans
DNRC does not have a standard limit on the recommended loan amount. The limit is based on the applicant’s ability to repay the loan. Local governments enter into debt by issuing bonds. Drinking water and wastewater projects are encouraged to apply to the State’s Revolving Fund (SRF) loan programs. These SRF loan programs are specifically designed to provide below-market interest rates for these types of systems. However, some renewable resource projects are not eligible for funding under the SRF programs. An example would be rehabilitation of an irrigation diversion dam. For these projects, the Renewable Resource Loan Program provides an excellent source of loan funds. If the applicant can demonstrate a high cost of water or other financial hardship, DNRC may recommend a below-market rate loan. The identified cost and financial hardship will be compared to other projects that have been funded by the RRGL program as well as those partially funded by other agencies. The amount of the subsidy depends on the specific RRGL need demonstrated by the borrower.
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