Biz Buzz: Tribal grants available; benefit banquet slated

Our favorite photos of the week from August 21 to August 27.

Here's some business news in the Missoula area:

The Montana Department of Commerce has announced that application periods for four grant programs aimed at bolstering tribal business development and strengthening Indigenous entrepreneurship in Montana are now open. The grant funding is provided by Commerce’s Office of Indian Country Economic Development.

“These initiatives underline Commerce’s dedication to provide not just funding, but a platform for innovative ideas to flourish, businesses to expand and traditions to thrive,” said Scott Osterman, director of the Montana Department of Commerce. "Through these grants, tribal businesses are empowered to drive innovation, create opportunities and shape a prosperous future for their communities."

Activists hold signs promoting Native American participation in the U.S. census in front of a mural of Crow Tribe historian and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Joe Medicine Crow on the Crow Indian Reservation in Lodge Grass, Mont., on Aug. 26, 2020. A judge in Montana refused to dismiss a lawsuit Tuesday, April 4, 2023, brought by Native American tribes, parents and students against state education leaders that alleges the state's unique constitutional requirement to teach students about Native American history and culture has not been upheld.

The Spruce Street Studio located at 500 E. Spruce St. Suite A in Missoula will be holding a special First Friday event on Sept. 1.

From 5-8 p.m., owner Thomas Diess will be hosting an event for Fran McDermott, who owns Tanuki-san Quilts. McDermott creates antique kimono silk quilts, and they'll be on display.

Kimono quilts will be available at the Spruce Street Studio.

"Fran's kimono silk quilts will cover all wall space here for the month of September, something I have been wanting to do for some time," Diess said. "She has found many fans and collectors of her work here in town since she entered the studio, and is also kept quite busy with custom work and commissions. This will be her first full gallery show in Missoula."

The Boys and Girls Club of Missoula County will be hosting its third annual Blue Door Banquet on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 5:30 p.m. in the UC Ballroom on the University of Montana campus.

“Get ready to celebrate 25 years of dreams realized at the Boys & Girls Club of Missoula County," said CEO Kristian Stipe. "Our 25th-anniversary soirée, inspired by Dr. Seuss, promises an evening of whimsy and wonder. For a quarter-century, we've been crafting memories, nurturing potential, and turning ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys for our future leaders."

There will be a three-course feast and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss are encouraged, but not mandatory.

For information and tickets go online to bgcmissoula.org/blue-door-banquet or contact Bailey Bristol at [email protected].

Birdie Thatcher, an interior design company in Missoula, is moving locations from 333 N. Higgins to 2000 S. Higgins.

David Erickson is the business reporter for the Missoulian.

Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.

Our favorite photos of the week from August 21 to August 27.

The Missoula Redevelopment Agency will test out a pilot project to incentivize the development of workforce housing.

Missoula County, the Lolo National Forest, Republic Services and a nonprofit called Woods Not Waste are cleaning up illegal trash dump sites.