Homegrown Polson businesses receive grants
Two locally owned Polson businesses, Eagles Wings and Sunshine Candles, have received funding from the Montana Department of Commerce.
Eagles Wings will receive $14,000 to purchase a prefabricated structure for the office space. Eagles Wings is a financial services and management consulting firm that helps local small businesses, especially homegrown small businesses.
Polson’s Sunshine Candles will receive $14,000 to purchase a separate facility to manufacture the product. Sunshine Candles is a candle maker that uses cans and bottles from local craft breweries to create upcycled scented candles.
“The Montana Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant has been a tremendous asset to Indian Nation, helping several businesses fill funding gaps in starting a business or expanding services,” said Sharon Small, Executive Director of People’s Community Development Partnership.
Columbia Falls businesses receive grants
The Moss Mountain Inn, a bed and breakfast near Columbia Falls, received a $22,372 Rural America Energy Program grant to install a 30-kilowatt solar array that is expected to save more than $10,000 in annual energy costs and generate more than 26,000 kilowatts of electricity – accounting for about 63% of its annual electricity consumption.
USDA Rural Development is investing more than $165,000 in critical infrastructure to reduce energy costs, expand access to clean energy, and combat climate change for people in rural and tribal areas of Montana.