Preparing our
Community for
Economic Recovery
& Future Growth

We Mask Up to Keep Our Businesses Open!
Click Here to Download the Printable Poster

Open & Safe Business Restart

Business and community resources
Montanans support one another, and in times of need, our communities rise up and do what we can to help everyone come through. The resources below will help you and your business as you move toward economic recovery.

Business Restart

The links included here will direct you to additional trusted information providers and contacts.

Masks Mean Business
Governor Bullock issued a statewide mask mandate effective July 15, 2020 in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 cases in Montana. The order requires wearing a face covering over the nose and mouth and applies to all counties in Montana with four or more active COVID-19 cases, including Yellowstone County.
Business Reopening Toolkit
As businesses across our region begin working in Phase II of the Governor’s Reopening Plan, the Billings Chamber created a toolkit for reopening your office space. Below, you can view the documents and signage used in their organization as well as stripped down versions you can adapt and personalize for your own organization. We hope these tools are helpful for your business.
Billings Chamber Reopening Documents
Templates for you to download and customize

Community Resources and Information

The links included here will direct you to additional trusted information providers and contacts.

Community Support Services

If you are out of work or need additional assistance during this time, these resources may help:

Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)

Understanding the federal
response to COVID-19

The Billings Chamber’s business advocacy team carefully analyzed and summarized the federal legislation passed by Congress so you can better understand how it pertains to you.

Financial Assistance

Resources for Financial Assistance
During COVID-19 there are many businesses being financially impacted.
The resources provided on this site have been researched and approved by trusted community partners.

  • SBA Economic Impact Disaster Loan (EIDL)
  • SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance
  • Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
  • Loans and Grants

SBA Economic Impact Disaster Loan (EIDL)

Program Overview:
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance

Program Overview:
Program Overview In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000.

The loan advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available within three days of a successful application, and this loan advance will not have to be repaid.

This is a federally funded loan directly with the SBA.

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Updated 4-27-2020

Additional Funding Notice: The SBA will resume accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 8:30am MST.

Created through the CARES Act and implemented by SBA and local lenders, these SBA loans will help businesses keep their workforce employed during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

 

 

Program Overview
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. The Paycheck Protection Program will be available through June 30, 2020.

Loans and Grants

New Allocations through the CARES Act to support businesses & individuals (11-17-2020)

The Governor announced that the state will be providing a third round of business stabilization grants. If you have received them in the past, you will received an email prompting you to accept a third grant payment.

The State will also be providing additional dollars to those who are filing unemployment. This news comes as the Governor provided the following change in restrictions in an effort to slow the rate of COVID-19 infections.

$75 million for Business Stabilization

$25 million for Interim Pandemic Assistance ($200/week for 4 weeks)

$3 million for additional Food Bank/Food Pantry Assistance

All applications must be done online.

Learn more about the criteria to apply and the programs that are eligible in this round of funding.

https://commerce.mt.gov/Coronavirus-Relief

Available Programs:

501 C3 Assistance
United Way and Billings Community Foundation have established a grant fund to assist 501c3 in our area.

Save Small Business Fund

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation – in partnership with Vistaprint and a coalition of supporting companies, foundations, and philanthropic donors – is working to provide financial relief through the Save Small Business Fund. The Fund is providing $5,000 in short-term relief to employers across the United States.  These one-time supplemental cash grants are for businesses that have between three and 20 employees, and operate in an economically vulnerable community. The grant application will go live on Monday, April 20 at 3:00 PM ET / 1:00pm MT / 12:00pm PT / 11:00am Alaska.

Employment Resources

Navigating COVID-19
With rapid changes to policy impacting employers and employees alike, the resources below will help you navigate your options and your opportunities.

For more information visit:
Montana Works and the Montana Department of Labor and Industry

  • Employers
  • Employees

Employers

COVID-19 has brought with it a wealth of uncertainty and red tape for employers, but we’re here to help you find your way through it. The resources you’ll find here are vetted and regularly updated so you can be confident you’re working from up-to-date information.

If you have a question we’ve not answered here, submit it to us by clicking here and our team will get you an answer within one business day.

Unemployment

Unemployment laws are changing in response to the pandemic. These resources will help you access up-to-date information as you make decisions for your business.

Remote Workforce

You probably already have your team set up to work remotely, but you may not be confident in your employment policies to support the arrangements. These resources can help you ensure you’re protected as you move your operations to a remote setup.

Employees

If you’ve been laid off as a result of COVID-19, we’re here to help you understand your rights and your opportunities. The resources you’ll find here are vetted and regularly updated so you can be confident you’re working from up-to-date information.

If you have a question we’ve not answered here, submit it to us by clicking here and our team will get you an answer within one business day.

Applying for Unemployment

Unemployment laws are changing in response to the pandemic. These resources will help you access up-to-date information.

Workforce/Employment Resources

Community members! We know we are in difficult times right now and many of you are finding yourself without work. Please check out The Billings Chamber of Commerce Jobs Board, MontanaWorks Job Search, as well as The National Labor Exchange for opportunities available now.

Additional Resources

Securing the services you need while unemployed can feel daunting. You may find assistance and/or guidance from these resources.

Latest News and Developments

Stay Current with Local Happenings
Changes are happening by the day and sometimes by the hour. Stay up to date with the most current city/state/regional/federal news and announcements. Updates will be posted often, so please bookmark this page for the latest developments with COVID-19 and how they effect our community.

COVID-19 cases in Billings ‘more than we can accommodate’, health officer says

In September, Yellowstone County recorded its highest number of new COVID-19 cases, its highest number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Billings, and 22 COVID-19-related deaths, according to county public health officer John Felton during a press conference Monday(10/5/2020) afternoon.

Billings Gazette Ariticle 10-5-2020

 

Yellowstone County Economic Recovery Plan

Yellowstone County has encountered and overcome many economic challenges in its history, but the scale, scope, and speed of the economic stress imposed by the current
COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. Under the duress of this global crisis, the region’s solid, growing economy transformed within weeks into a recession of evolving proportions. Civic, business, and community leaders responded immediately, forming the Yellowstone County Economic Response and Recovery Team to react to the immediate needs of businesses; to support, guide, and provide advocacy for their recovery; and to develop a plan that will enable the community to thrive in a post-COVID-19 future.

Yellowstone County Economic Response and Recovery Plan 10-6-2020

Governor’s Directive

The Governor issued an updated directive on November 17, 2020.

Click Here to Read Directive

Calendar of Events

There are no upcoming events at this time. Check back soon!







    Ask an Expert

    We have assembled an Economic Response & Recovery Team to help you connect with those who can assist you. If you have a specific question, please ask it here and we will pass it along to the appropriate resource.

    Do you have information for the
    community Economic Response & Recovery website?

    We will be working to update this website with current resources.
    If you have information to be added please email:
    melanie@bigskyeda.org or Kelly@billingschamber.com

    Economic Response & Recovery Team

    Steve Arveschoug (Lead)
    Big Sky Economic Development

    Bill Coffee
    Stockman Bank

    Brad Anderson
    Anderson Management Group

    Brian Brown
    First Interstate Bank

    Bryan Wood
    Woods Power Grip

    Courtney Kibblewhite
    Northern Ag Broadcasting

    Martin DeWitt
    SBA

    Don Jones
    Yellowstone County Commissioner

    Ty Elkin
    St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation

    George Warmer
    Coldwell Banker Commercial

    John Brewer
    Billings Chamber of Commerce

    Katy Easton
    Downtown Billings Alliance

    Ken Lutton
    Technology by Design

    Kim Jakub
    Exxon Mobil

    Kris Carpenter
    Sanctuary Spa & Salon/Joy of Living

    Leonard Smith
    NADC

    Mary Walks Over Ice
    NADC

    Lilly Corning
    Corning Companies

    Matt Robertson
    NAI Properties

    Mike Seppala
    Western Security Bank

    Steve Simonson
    Beartooth RC&D

    Taylor Brown
    Northern Ag Network

    Mike Nelson
    Northern Hotel

    Shaun Brown
    Billings City Council

    Alex Tyson
    Billings Tourism Business Improvement District

    The Path Forward

    As part of the Yellowstone County Unified Incident Command, an Economic Response & Recovery Team has been assembled to provide a business “restart” strategy for the community.

    This strategy will support and sustain local businesses during this time of significant economic distress and prepare the community for economic recovery and future growth and development.

    Step 1 for the Economic
    Response & Recovery Team:

    • Coordinate responses to the immediate needs of our business community
    • Identify gaps in services and resources
    • Guide the development of the community’s near-term (6 months to 1 year) economic recovery plan.