Tester Announces Loan Program to Alleviate Poverty, Boost Economy

$600,000 Will Benefit Lewis & Clark, Broadwater, and Meagher Counties

(U.S. Senate) – As a part of his #EmployMT initiative, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced a loan program that will boost the economy in Lewis & Clark, Broadwater, and Meagher counties.

The $600,000 will establish a “revolving loan fund” with the Montana Business Assistance Connection, a group dedicated to improving the economy and quality of life in those counties. The fund will allow MBAC to make loans to increase economic activity, decrease poverty, and create jobs.

“Creating and maintaining jobs is the key to a thriving economy,” Tester said. “These loans will help small businesses in Townsend, White Sulphur Springs and Helena create new jobs, keep existing ones, and spur economic growth in Montana.”

“We are thankful to the USDA Rural Development and the Montana Board of Investments for our ability to obtain these funds to increase our capacity to make loans to new and expanding small business, which drives prosperity, our economy, business vitality, high quality job growth and the enhancement of quality of life throughout the Helena region,” said MBAC Lending Director Mark Menke.

Tester has worked tirelessly to keep Montana’s economy humming. He introduced the Main Street Regulatory Fairness Act to cut red tape for Montana’s small businesses, stood up for Montana’s outdoor economy, and fought for certainty for Montana’s farmers and ranchers.