ORE Grants — Capacity Building and Planning
Funds rural planning and capacity-building projects for organizations strengthening economic resilience in Montana.
The Opportunities in Rural Economies (ORE) program, administered by the Montana Department of Commerce, offers two grant components designed to accelerate business growth, encourage high-paying job creation, and diversify Montana's rural economy. The first component is the ORE Economic Development Organization Capacity Building Grant, which supports economic development organizations in strengthening their community outreach capabilities. The second is the ORE Planning Grant Program, which provides matching funds for projects that will deliver significant economic benefit to a Montana community. A separate ORE Loan Participation Program exists but is a loan instrument and is distinct from the grant components documented here.
Projects funded under either grant component are prohibited from resulting in job transfers between regions of Montana — new job creation or retention must be the outcome. Award amounts and specific eligibility criteria are not published on the program's landing page; the Montana DOC has indicated that the program targets rural communities and economic development organizations operating within Montana. Applications are believed to operate on a rolling or continuous basis based on program structure, though the DOC website does not specify 2026 deadline windows or current open/closed status.
Organizations interested in the ORE Capacity Building Grant or ORE Planning Grant should contact the Montana Department of Commerce at 406-841-2700 or visit the grants portal at montana.servicenowservices.com/mtgl to confirm current availability and award parameters. The ORE Planning Grant requires that the funded planning project generate a significant, documentable economic benefit to a Montana community — applicants should prepare economic impact projections as part of their application package. For-profit entities and nonprofits engaged in rural economic development activities are eligible; individuals and research organizations are not eligible.
Economic development organization capacity building; community economic planning projects with significant local benefit.
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