The Montana Department of Commerce announced today the launch of a new grant program designed to support rural and tribal agricultural businesses and promote economic diversification across the state. The funding is through Commerce’s Agritourism Grants Program.
Student loan payments have been a major issue across the nation but comparatively, Montana students did well managing their education costs. According to the personal-finance website WalletHub, Montana ranked 43rd with the 8th lowest student loan payment averages among the states.
The Institute for Justice is suing the city of Kalispell with the hopes of reopening the Flathead Warming Center. The city council revoked the non-profit shelter’s permit to operate. It was first opened in 2019. Initially, the national law firm is asking for an emergency court order to open the center as soon as this week.
Yellowstone National Park had a 2% increase in visitation in September from the same month in 2023. So far in 2024, the numbers are up 5% from 2023.
The City of Havre is reportedly looking into ways of sheltering homeless people during the cold winter months. The city public works department has been directed to look into whether the creation of temporary shelters would be in violation of city ordinances.
According to the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Two animals were found shot and left to waste in Northwest Montana in recent weeks. In Early October, wildlife personnel responded to a report of a dead elk on private property off of the upper Thompson River Road. It’s head was removed but the rest of the animal was left behind to waste. Around the same time a cow moose was shot and left to waste near Plains.
St. Peter’s Health has secured a grant of over 288-thousand dollars to introduce a cutting edge new treatment from depression. The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust grant will allow St. Peter’s health to improve symptoms of severe depression without surgery or invasive procedures by using magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. St. Peter’s is the sole provider of such treatments throughout its five-county service area.
New York developer Dave Leon says a ceremony next Monday will announce which national stores and restaurants are coming to Butte as part of the “Cornerstone Plaza” venture. The 26 million dollar plaza will be built along Harrison Avenue. The ceremony will take place near Bert Mooney Airport on October 14th at 2 pm.
The Missoula Economic Partnership and NeighborWorks Montana, have joined in an effort to raise $10 million for a revolving loan fund to build urgently needed workforce housing in Missoula. The two non profits announced five million has already been raised through an anonymous donation.
Hill County officials are asking visitors to the county courthouse to refrain from bringing anything containing nuts into the first floor of the building. It’s in response to a report of a nut allergy by one or more of the first floors staff.
