Spotlight: State of Montana

As part of our spotlight series, GrantWatch shines a light on the State of Montana. Let’s visit “Big Sky Country,” where nature rules, with vast expanses, lush scenery (including national parks and geysers like the world renowned “Old Faithful”), massive forests, and an abundance of activities that would be any outdoor enthusiast’s dream.

GrantWatch has provided listings of grant opportunities to help with a variety of funding needs throughout the State of Montana. In addition, GrantWatch offers a list of over 1,700 grants in its Community and Economic Development grants listing category. Beyond that, there are also countrywide, and even international, grant funding opportunities available.

Prepare yourself for everything from oddball fishing laws to awe-inspiring natural wonders, enormous hamburgers, and of course ride-sharing sheep! Enjoy the ‘Marvelous,’ ‘Fun’ and ‘Interesting’ facts about the State of Montana!

Some ‘Marvelous’ Facts About Montana

In Montana, married women are forbidden by law to go fishing on a Sunday by themselves. That’s not the only fishing-related law, though, as unmarried women aren’t allowed to go fishing by themselves on any day of the week! Note: It’s very unlikely that either of these two laws would be enforced today!

It’s also not allowed to have a sheep in a car with you unless you have someone else in the vehicle to chaperone it.

In Montana’s capital city of Helena, it’s not allowed to throw any item from one side of the street to the other.

thefactsite.com, “15 Marvelous Facts About Montana“

Now For Some ‘Fun’ Facts About Montana

Montana has its own version of oatmeal: Cream of the West, a roasted wheat cereal that local families have been eating since 1914.

Home to 56 counties, with 46 of them being considered “frontier counties”. Each county holds an average population of 6 or fewer people per square mile.

The largest-ever recorded snowflake was in Montana, which had a huge 15-inch diameter.

The Roe River, situated near the Missouri River and Great Falls is the shortest river in the world, only flowing 200 feet. Made official by The Guinness Book of World Records.

Jordan, Montana, is among the most remote counties in the United States. From there, the nearest airport is not until 175 miles while the nearest bus stop is not until 85 miles.

allamericanatlas.com, “51 Fun Facts About Montana (that most people don’t know!)“

And Finally Some ‘Interesting’ Facts About Montana

The folks in Saco (pop. 159) set a record in 1999 by cooking a 6,000 pound hamburger.

One of the largest steer in world history rests in the O’Fallon Museum in Montana. This steer was about six feet tall and weighed an impressive 3,980 pounds.

In Loma, Montana (pop. 121) the temperature rose 103°F in a single 24-hour period, rising from -54°F at 9am on January 14, 1972, to 49°F by 8 am on January 15. This event still stands as a world record for the greatest change in temperature ever measured on earth in a single 24-hour period.

Montana holds the record for the all-time coldest temperature in the Lower 48 at -70°F set at Rogers Pass on the Continental Divide on January 20, 1954. It may have been colder than that, but that was the lowest temperature reading on the thermometer. Montana’s record high is 117°F, for a temperature change of 187°F. No other state has a larger temperature range than that.

Only one gem from North America is included in the Crown Jewels of England. This is the Montana Yogo Sapphire.

thefactfile.org, “91 Interesting Facts About Montana“

Below is a list of grants and other community development funding opportunities for the State of Montana.

Community and Economic Development Grants for Montana

1. Grants to Montana local government agencies for water resource-related projects addressing water-systems/bridge capital-projects. Funding is for a range of projects, including those related to wastewater, drinking water, storm sewers and drains, solid waste, and bridges.
2. Grants to Montana destination marketing organizations to promote tourism and serve the needs of diverse visitor destinations. Funding is intended for promotions that build awareness and help locations attract more visitors.
3. In addition, grants of up to $50,000 to Montana local government agencies for programs and projects to benefit local communities. The program supports the planning stage of community development programs to address community needs. Funding is for long-term, sustainability planning for housing, public infrastructure, community facilities, and economic development.
4. Grants to eligible Montana nonprofits for projects to strengthen local communities and improve overall economic vitality. Focus areas include: arts and culture, basic human needs, education, conservation, economic development, natural resources, and historic preservation.
5. There are grants to Montana organizations and businesses for programs to promote beef product consumption. Funding will be for education, research, promotion, and producer communication. The purpose of the program is to provide opportunities for agricultural producers in the state.

Cooperative Agreements and Additional Montana Community and Economic Development Grants

1. Also, grants and cooperative agreements to states, public agencies, for-profits, tribes, Institutions for Higher Education (IHEs), and nonprofits for projects to improve passenger/freight rail transportation systems. Applicants are advised that required registrations will take several weeks to complete. The goal is also to enhance multi-modal connections, leading to new or substantially improved Intercity Passenger Rail Transportation corridors.
2. Grants up to $10,000 to Montana companies for international marketing costs. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to trade shows, translations, intellectual property protection, digital marketing, travel, and compliance testing. Funding is intended to help exporters find and maintain international markets.
3. Up to $15,000 in grant funding to Montana nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individuals for events to foster tourism. The program supports multi-day events for arts and culture, outdoor recreation, and history.
4. In addition, grants to Montana rural communities to increase tourism to the area. Funding is intended to draw increased tourism to areas that tend to have fewer visitors, in an effort to increase the positive economic impacts of the industry.
5. Lastly, grants to community-based nonprofits to facilitate workplace-readiness for women. Applicants are advised that required registrations will take several take several weeks to complete. In fact, eligible programs will prepare women to work in fields in which women are historically underrepresented or where women are disproportionately concentrated in lower-wage occupations.

The Takeaway

To conclude, we hope you’ll have the chance to personally visit some of the many interesting sites found in the State of Montana. What’s more, we hope our list of grants whets your appetites for grant funding!

About GrantWatch

With close to 8,000 grants currently available, GrantWatch.com is the leading grant listing directory. Upgrade to a MemberPlus+ subscription to view the full grant details, including eligibility criteria and application information. For more information, you can also visit the GrantWatch FAQ page. To see the great value of all 20 of the top GrantWatch features, click here. To conclude, see the latest episode of GrantTalk, powered by GrantWatch, with host Libby Hikind. You don’t want to miss this. Visit us on YouTube weekly. Don’t forget to get your copy of The Queen of Grants: From Teacher to Grant Writer to CEO, by Libby Hikind.

Please Note: There is no guarantee by GrantWatch nor the author of grant awards as a result of this information.