Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Montana Businesses Receive $1.7B From Federal Rescue Package

Black Coffee Roasters in Missoula was empty on March 16, 2020 after moving to takeout orders only in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus.
William Marcus
Black Coffee Roasters in Missoula was empty on March 16, 2020 after moving to takeout orders only in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus.

More than 23,000 businesses and nonprofit organizations in Montana received loans from a federal rescue package meant to keep small businesses afloat during the coronavirus pandemic, totaling over $1.7 billion, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Treasury.

The recipients come from various industries, nonprofits, colleges, health care facilities and tribal entities. At least 73 Montana organizations received between $2 million and $5 million, including the luxury resort Paws Up Ranch, firefighter aviators Neptune Aviation Services, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Some loans went to businesses owned by political figures in the state. Don Kaltschmidt, the chairman of the Montana Republican Party, received a loan between $1 million and $2 million for his car dealership, Don. K Chevrolet Inc. in Whitefish.

“Just like many businesses across Montana, I applied for a PPP loan to keep my business open and over 100 Montanans on the payroll to provide for their families during this pandemic," Kaltschmidt said in a statement.

The public may never know the identity of more than 80% of the nearly 5 million beneficiaries to date nationwide because the administration has refused to release details on loans under $150,000. That secrecy spurred a lawsuit by news organizations including The Associated Press.

Still, the release of the data is the most complete look at the program’s recipients so far, including 2,196 Montana businesses that received loans greater than $150,000.

Under the Paycheck Protection Program, Congress created $659 billion in low-interest loans that will be forgiven if employers use the money on payroll, rent and similar expenses. With about $130 billion unclaimed as the application deadline closed June 30, Congress extended the program until Aug. 8.

Iris Samuels is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.

Copyright 2020 Montana Public Radio. To see more, visit .

The Associated Press is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, it's a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members.
Iris Samuels