With the original LFPA funds awarded Montana Department of Agriculture is sub awarding funds to organizations statewide. In the last quarter the department created and released the RFP throughout the state. The response was incredible with 16 applications totaling 2.4 million in asks. With the addition of the CCC funding, the department would be able to fully fund 10 of those applications, instead of a possible 4 with just the LFPA funding.
The scope of the original project would not change or fluctuate, but rather over double in size and ability, which in turn would more than double the amount of underserved producers and communities. This would not only be to the betterment of the immediate future for those involved, but provide more avenues across more of the state for lasting business relationships past the end point of this grant.