Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED)
In January 2006, the US Department of Labor announced that the application from Governor Schweitzer for Montana's WIRED proposal was one of 13 approved out of over 90 applications nationwide. Montana's WIRED proposal focused on the development of the bio-product industry in 32 counties of Eastern Montana and six Indian Reservations. The Department of Commerce is managing a component of the WIRED grant program under contract with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry to implement part of the WIRED proposal.
The Commerce WIRED program has available approximately $2.4 million in grant funds for customized worker training to businesses working with universities, colleges, high schools, and other training providers on specialized bio-product training and curriculum development. The program will also provide grants for WIRED eligible job training programs or projects that will enhance and expand the bio-product industry in the WIRED region. Job training project concepts not directly addressed in the program's guidelines should be sent to the Department of Commerce for consideration and review of eligibility under WIRED rules.
Bio-product business training assistance and curriculum development
The WIRED program will provide grants for direct bio-product business training assistance and job training programs and curriculum development. Eligible applicants for this category include tribal governments, Certified Regional Development Corporations, colleges, tribal colleges, universities, and other business development and technical assistance providers. Activities must be conducted within the WIRED region and must be focused on new or increased direct bio-product business training assistance and employee development.
Business New and Incumbent Worker Training
Businesses that are principally engaged in the production of bio-products in the WIRED region are eligible to apply for job training grants for new and incumbent workers to expand their operations. Projects that create new jobs are the priority focus of the program. Only business projects involving job training that directly create tangible results within the WIRED region are eligible. The Department will determine case-by-case whether a proposed project concept will create sufficient economic benefit to the region if some activities occur outside of the WIRED region. The minimum match requirement is one new cash dollar from unexpended grants, loans, and/or new equity for each dollar of WIRED funds requested. The Department may consider projects that involve the use of matching funds outside of the region as long as the WIRED funds are used to assist an eligible business with job training in the WIRED region.
WIRED funds shall not be used for any project that involves relocation of businesses within Montana to new communities or that creates a significant possibility that jobs may be lost within Montana.
Tribal Government Set-Aside
The Commerce WIRED Program has a tribal set-aside from which tribal governments within the WIRED region may apply for up to $50,000 annually for job training. These funds are in addition to the other category of funds in which they are also eligible to apply, but are required to complete the full application process and provide match. No match is required in the set-aside but using other funds is preferred in order to maximize the impacts of using WIRED funds for job training activities. Tribal applicants wishing to access the tribal set-aside can send an executive summary to the Department for initial review. Additional information will be requested as needed by the Department to make a final funding decision.
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It is highly recommended that potential applicants contact the Department directly by contacting Nancy Guccione at (406) 841-2744 or Niki Scoffield at (406) 841-2250 for guidance and funding availability before submitting formal application. You may also email inquiries by using the Contact Us form.
The following files are in PDF format. You can download Adobe Acrobat for free in order to view and/or print the files. If you are unable to open the documents or need the files in any other format contact the Department.
