Tester Secures $1 Million for Montana Economic Development Through American Rescue Plan

Funds will be used to boost pandemic recovery efforts

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced $1 million in American Rescue Plan funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce to facilitate planning and coordination for the distribution of economic development resources in Montana to support Montana small businesses and grow the economy.

“As Montana continues to rebound from this pandemic, it’s critical that we address the economic gaps exposed by COVID-19,” said Tester. “We’re seeing the positive effects of the American Rescue Plan every day across Montana, and these resources will support small businesses across our state, create good paying jobs, and ensure that our economic recovery continues. I urge state officials to get these funds out the door as soon as possible.”

This funding will be distributed by the Economic Development Administration to the state of Montana, and can be used for a wide range of projects including workforce training, business recruitment, capital access, infrastructure, broadband, entrepreneurial growth, economic diversification, and more.

Tester has worked tirelessly to get Montana communities the resources they need to get their local economies back on track amid coronavirus pandemic. He was the only member of the Montana delegation to support the American Rescue Plan after fighting to ensure that it provides targeted funding to the state’s local economies by directly providing small businesses and municipal governments with critical relief.