Indian Country Economic Development Program (ICED)
About the Program
The Indian Country Economic Development (ICED) program, created by the 59th Montana State Legislature, is a state-funded program administered by the Montana Department of Commerce. The Department works closely with the State Tribal Economic Development Commission in coordinating economic development efforts in Montana's Indian Country.
Beginning October 1, 2005, the State Legislature made grant funds available to tribal nations in Montana. In the 61st Legislature, funding for the ICED program was approved of as part of the Montana Reinvestment Act (HB 645) and was signed into law by Governor Schweitzer on May 14, 2009. These grants funds, which must be applied for, support tribal business development projects, workforce training projects, entrepreneurial training, feasibility studies and other types of economic development projects.
Who Is Eligible
The governing body of each of the seven Indian Reservations in Montana and also the governing body of the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe are the only eligible applicants for this program. The applicant may grant or loan the money to a business enterprise if it will produce a positive economic benefit for the Tribe(s). In this context, a positive economic benefit will be defined as the near-term creation or retention of job opportunities for Tribal members in Montana.
Funding Availability
The maximum of $70,000 per governing body will be available in fiscal year 2010. If all of the funding has not been applied for by March 31, 2010, the Department, in its discretion, may award additional funding to any project that was previously awarded funding under this program.
What Qualifies
Business Development Projects - Funding is available for business expansion, retention, start-up, or relocation projects. Equal matching funds are required for funding in any of these activities in this category.
- Workforce Training Projects - An eligible activity includes projects that will train Tribal members in job skills currently needed by a specific company on or off of the reservation in Montana. The company must commit to hiring the permanent workers and must document that equal matching funds are being provided by the company for the training. A maximum of $5,000 in training funds may be requested for each person to be hired and trained.
- Entrepreneurial Training - The Tribe(s) may request funding for the creation or maintenance of activities that are designed to provide entrepreneurial training for reservation members. An example of this would be to continue to provide small business technical assistance through an existing community based organization that emphasizes business development. Equal matching funds are required for funding in this category of activity.
- Feasibility Study - A feasibility study may be an eligible activity providing the study is of sufficient magnitude to have a significant economic impact on the future economic development of the reservation. Any application to fund a feasibility study must prove that equal matching funds are available to fund the study from the Tribe(s) or any other source.
- Other Business Development Projects - A Tribal government can apply for other types of economic development projects that are deemed to be the top priority of the Tribe(s). An example of this kind of activity might include the administration of a small revolving loan fund for individual Indian businesses that would be administered by the Tribal government. Equal matching funds are required for funding in this category of activity.
Match Requirement
Minimum matching funds required to receive funding are $1 to $1. Match can be in-kind. Match can be waived under certain circumstances. This matching requirement reflects the minimum amount to be provided, however, Tribes should include all sources of matching funds contributing to their proposed project. Tribe(s) should state their entire investment associated with the project, i.e. land values, building values, salaries, benefits, cash, etc. Significantly greater amounts of matching monies will improve the outlook for the continuation of this funding from the Legislature. It is critical that other funds are leveraged with the funding contained in this program.
Tribal Resolution or Authorization Letter
A Tribal governmental resolution indicating support for the application or an official letter from the tribal chair or president authorizing the application to the Program is required. The resolution or authorization letter should include the name of the project being applied for, the name of the Tribal organization or entity that will be responsible for managing the application process and contract, and the governing body's approval to apply for the Indian Country Economic Development program funds.
Application Deadline
Applications may be submitted anytime after August 17, 2009 and are due by March 31, 2010. The ICED program cannot reimburse Tribe(s) for expenditures incurred prior to May 14, 2009.
Application Guidelines (PDF of ICED Guidelines)
How to Apply
The application consists of the following materials:
- A completed and signed Application (Appendix A)
- A Tribal Resolution or Tribal Chair or President Authorization Letter
- A Project Budget (Appendix B)
- A Project Implementation Schedule (Appendix C)
- A digital photograph of the area of each proposed improvement. Note: a digital photograph of completed project will be required for project closeout. Please contact the Program at 406-841-2775 prior to submitting photos electronically. Applicants may submit photo(s) on a compact disc. Please contact the Program if you need assistance in sizing your photographs. Images are subject to the following constraints:
Images are subject to the following constraints:
Width: 100 min, 1000 max
Height: 100 min, 1000 max
File Size: 10,000 KB
Image type: gif, jpg
Note: a digital photograph of completed project will be required for project closeout. Please call the Indian Country Economic Development Program at 406-841-2775 if you need assistance in sizing your photographs.
The applicant must print and fill out the application form using typewritten font, or fill out the application online and print the completed application form. The completed application for and supplementary materials must then be submitted by email or mail to:
ICED Program Manager
Montana Department of Commerce
301 S. Park Avenue
PO Box 200505
Helena MT 59620-0505
Phone: (406) 841-2775
Fax: (406) 841-2731
Email: hsobrepena@mt.gov
Each application submitted must include all of the information required in the grant application. If a tribal resolution or other application material is submitted by email, it must be in a format showing all necessary signatures (for example, PDF format). The Montana Department of Commerce reserves the right to reject ineligible, incomplete, or otherwise improper applications.
Program applications will be accepted on an on-going basis until March 31, 2010.
The submission of an application for Program funding confers no right upon any applicant. The Montana Department of Commerce is not obligated to award a Program grant to any specific project, to pay any costs incurred by the applicant in the preparation and submission of any application, or pay any project-related costs incurred prior to May 14, 2009.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the ICED Program Manager with any questions they have concerning these guidelines or the application process. The ICED Program is committed to assisting all tribal governments to apply for Program funding.
- The following Application Evaluation Criteria have been developed to assist the the ICED Program Manager in identifying if a project proposal meets the goals and objectives of the Indian Country Economic Development Program:
- Potential for the project to achieve business expansion, retention, start-up, or relocation.
- Potential for the project to train tribal members in job skills currently needed by a specific company on or off of the reservation in Montana.
- Potential for the project to enhance job retention, job creation, and stimulate the state and tribal economy;
- Potential for the project to provide entrepreneurial training for reservation members.
- Likelihood that a specified feasibility study is of sufficient magnitude to have a significant economic impact on the future economic development of the reservation.
- Extent to which economic development projects are deemed to be the top priority of the tribal government.
- Overall quality of the application, including measureable project goals, tasks, and activities, a well developed work plan and budget, and easily identifiable deliverables.
- Capability of the applicant to undertake and satisfactorily complete the project and ensure proper management and reporting of Program funds.
Appendices
Appendix B Project Budget
Appendix C Project Implementation Schedule
Appendix D Designation of Depository Form
Appendix E Signature Certification Form
Appendix F Request for Payment Form
Appendix G Monthly Progress Report Form
Appendix H Quarterly Progress Report Form
Appendix I Project Completion Report Form
