Montana Tax Incentives
What to do when the Affordable Care Act Impacts Case Settlements:
The Benefits of an Accessibility-Focused Case Evaluation
A White Paper by Michael Fiore
One of the likely unintended consequences of the Affordable Care Act is that Special Need Trusts may be impacted due to settlement criteria that can be based on past, present, and future medical needs.
Teleseminars on Disability, Diversity, and the Changing Workforce. One hour of learning that can change the way that you think.
Tech Update: Read an article about the implications of 32-bit and 64-bit processors for Assistive Technology Solutions.
Looking for qualified candidates with disabilities?
A Job Board for job seekers with disabilities and the businesses looking to hire them.
Montana Tax Incentives
Page Contents
- Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund
- Equipment Demonstration for Assistive Technology
- Funding Sources for Assistive Technology
- Incumbent Worker Training
- Indian Country Economic Development Program
- Loan and Exchange Programs Assistive Technology
- Montana Chamber of Commerce
- Montana Registered Apprentice
- Montana Vocational Rehabilitation
- Montana Wood Products Revolving Loan Fund Program
- MonTECH: Montana's Resource for Assistive Technology
- Primary Sector Workforce Training Grant
- Registered Apprenticeship
Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund
The Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund is designed to aid in the development of good paying jobs for Montana residents and promote long-term stable economic growth in Montana.
More jobs for qualified workers with disabilities can be a positive outcome of this Fund.
Applications to the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund Program are accepted through the On-Line Grant Management System.
Equipment Demonstration for Assistive Technology
The Montana Assistive Technology Program (MATP) provides adaptive equipment and assistive technology (AT) device demonstrations for individuals and groups to try numerous assistive technology and computer options. Demonstrations are available at the Montana Technology Access Center (MTAC) in Missoula or statewide by video conference. If needed, the MATP staff will be glad to arrange demonstrations by other means.
Funding Sources for Assistive Technology
MonTECH and Rural Dynamics offer a financial loan program for those looking at affordable ways to finance assistive technology. Montana Assistive Technology Loans (MATL) offers Montanans with disabilities, or their family members, the ability to purchase assistive technology (AT), for a variety of needs.
http://montech.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/financial-assistance/
Incumbent Worker Training
The Incumbent Worker Training program is a competitive grant program that provides grant funding to help eligible Montana small businesses train their existing (incumbent) workers. It also helps preserve jobs for Montana residents. Training can be customized to meet specific need.
The worker benefiting from this training program can be an employee with a disability who needs a skills upgrade to remain employed.
Indian Country Economic Development Program
The Montana Department of Commerce Indian Country Economic Development (ICED) grant program is intended to improve economic opportunities for the eight tribal governments in Montana. Since its inception in the 59th Montana State Legislature, the ICED program has supported ICED tribal government priority economic development projects - the Montana Indian Equity Fund and the Montana Indian Entrepreneur Training.
Indian Country Economic Development Guidelines PDF
Loan and Exchange Programs Assistive Technology
MonTECH hosts several equipment loan programs and an exchange program that are all listed on this web page. Please choose a loan program to search for and request items to borrow, or choose the exchange program to view or post items to buy, sell, or exchange.
MicroBusiness Finance Program
Montana-based businesses with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees and a gross annual revenue of less than $1,000,000 can apply for a microbusiness loan up to $100,000 by contacting a MicroBusiness Development Corporation. These corporations not only provide capital to start or expand a business, but they also provide training and technical assistance to the business owner.
The business expansion brought about by these loans could mean more employment opportunities for job seekers with disabilities.
Microsoft Accessibility Resource Center
A Microsoft Accessibility Resource Center (MARC) provides expert consultation on assistive technology and accessibility features built into Microsoft products. Their specialists understand how disabilities impact computer users and are trained to evaluate the needs of the person with the disability. Some centers offer computer training and many organizations have lending libraries, so a consumer can try a product before purchasing it.
Montana Chamber of Commerce
The Montana Chamber of Commerce is the advocate of business in Montana and the driving force in promoting a favorable business climate. It represents over 1500 business members, from small mom-and-pop operations to local chambers of commerce to large companies. The Chamber is guided by business leaders, working to improve the state’s business climate.
Montana Registered Apprentice
Through the registered apprenticeship program, employers can access professional assistance to train Montana workers to become highly skilled in their occupational trade or craft. Apprenticeship training consists of seasoned, skilled workers teaching the skills of their craft to workers new to the trade. Registered apprenticeship training includes both supervised on-the-job training through real work experience and related technical instruction in the classroom.
The worker being trained as an apprentice could be someone with a disability who needs this type of vocational instruction to secure employment.
Montana Vocational Rehabilitation
The mission the Montana Vocational Rehabilitation system is to promote work and independence for Montanans with disabilities. It provides a broad range of services to assist, find or maintain employment for eligible individuals with disabilities.
This web page has a list of Vocational Rehabilitation offices located in Montana, along with the offices’ contact information.
Montana Wood Products Revolving Loan Fund Program
The Montana Wood Products Revolving Loan Fund (WP RLF) Program is a federally and state-funded, statewide loan program designed to help businesses in the wood products industry retain or create jobs. The WP RLF program will target areas of the state where timber jobs are most threatened, particularly in counties with lumber mills and similar facilities.
Some of the jobs created or preserved in Montana’s wood products industry could be occupied by workers with disabilities.
MonTECH: Montana's Resource for Assistive Technology
MonTECH specializes in Assistive Technology (AT) and oversees a variety of AT related grants and contracts. Its overall goal is to develop a comprehensive, statewide system of assistive technology related assistance. MonTECH strives to ensure that all people in Montana with disabilities have equitable access to assistive technology devices and services in order to enhance their independence, productivity, and quality of life. In pursuit of this goal, program staff works with consumers, service providers, educators, therapists, state agencies, private industry, researchers, legislators, and other interested individuals.
Primary Sector Workforce Training Grant
The Primary Sector Workforce Training Grant program is a state-funded program that provides grant funds to businesses for training of new full-time and part-time jobs.
Some of the new hires being trained through one of these grants could be employees with disabilities.
Registered Apprenticeship and Training Program for Military Veterans
The Montana Registered Apprenticeship includes both classroom and on-the-job experience to prepare a veteran to be hired as an employee in a chosen field. In addition, GI Bill benefits can be used towards the costs of the apprenticeship training. The Montana Department of Labor & Industry has educated staff available to answer any questions about how to maximize these benefits.
