Resource Database

The mission of AERO is to empower communities to nurture and promote a more sustainable Montana. By bringing people together, AERO offers a vehicle for collective action and a sense of common purpose for citizens within their communities to shape a more sustainable future.

The American Planning Association's (APA) policy guides represent the collective thinking of our members on positions of both principle and practice. They represent APA's official position on issues central to building communities of lasting value. Topics include: Climate Change, Energy, Hazard Mitigation, Sustainability, Housing, and more.

The Center for Rural Affairs is an advocate for health care, clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and community development in rural areas. Also offers technical assistance, financing programs, and other resources to rural communities.

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) is a comprehensive source of information, hosted by the U.S. Department of Engery, on state, federal, local, and utility incentives and policies that support renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. REAP offers loan guarantees and grants for eligible applicants.

The Energy Bureau’s vision is a future where Montana’s energy needs are met through sustainable means that are protective of the state’s natural and human resources. The Energy Bureau works toward this vision through specific activities that support our mission to increase Montanans’ access to energy efficiency and renewable energy, improve the state’s energy security, provide analysis of energy trends and issues, and demonstrate the benefits of compliance with environmental regulations through innovation, education, and technical and financial assistance.

The Environmental Law & Policy Center maintains this website that tracks news and incentives to further clean energy and rural economic development.

Battelle Energy Alliance corporate funds provide grants for projects aimed at spurring technology-based economic development, entrepreneurship and innovation in the region. Priority is given to projects that focus on connecting industry partners, universities, start-ups and economic development organizations that drive job growth. Projects that complement the mission areas of the lab in nuclear energy, clean energy and national and homeland security are strongly encouraged.

INL works through existing groups to establish a strong climate for tech-based economic development. Available funds are leveraged by challenging other groups to match contributions for the start of tech-based projects. Examples of INL’s efforts include:

• Helping start-up companies develop business plans, providing strategic planning training, and offering highly-specialized technical assistance.
• Working with economic and technology development organizations to identify opportunities and resources.
• Providing services to tech-based incubators and science & technology parks.

Grant Request: INL’s Technology Based Economic Development donation process is conducted on an annual basis. Grant requests for fiscal year 2018 closed on October 15, 2017. You can now request a Technology Based Economic Development grant for fiscal year 2019 (Oct 1, 2018 – Sept. 30, 2019). Submission deadline is Oct. 15, 2018. Please note that the fillable PDF application file must be opened in Adobe Acrobat.

• 2019 INL Techbased Economic Development Grant Request Form (Download and Fill Out)
• 2019 INL Techbased Economic Development Grant Request Form (PDF)

See below for examples of prior year grant awards. 

• 2018 INL Techbased Economic Development Grant Awardees