SmartLam gets economic development grant

Three Flathead businesses were recently awarded a total of $937,350 in Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund grants, including two in the Columbia Falls area.

Altogether, the Montana Department of Commerce awarded $1.2 million in grants across the state. The state-funded program is designed to promote good-paying jobs and long-term, stable economic growth in Montana. Funding is provided for both planning and job creation activities. Among the local businesses:

• Western Building Center’s new SmartLam production facility in Columbia Falls received a $217,500 award for equipment purchases that will enable expansion and at least 29 net new grant-eligible jobs.

SmartLam manufactures a cross laminated timber product that will be used as oil-drilling rig mats and portable platforms to support drilling rigs and equipment used in construction for oil services industry.

A low-interest economic development loan for SmartLam evaporated in July. Officials at the city, county and Montana West Economic Development had spent several months trying to secure an $800,000 Community Development Block Grant loan for WBC through the Montana Department of Commerce. The money went to infrastructure needs in Eastern Montana instead.

• Nomad Global Communication Solutions, located on U.S. 2 south of Highway 40, received a $652,500 grant award for equipment purchases and employee training that will enable expansion and at least 87 net new grant-eligible jobs. Nomad manufactures mobile incident command centers.

• ZaneRay Group, in Whitefish, received a $67,350 grant award for equipment purchases and lease rate reduction which will enable expansion and at least 10 net new grant-eligible jobs. The company is an e-commerce consultant group that specializes in direct-to-consumer Web sites for mid- to large-size companies in the outdoor industry.