$730K grant to help boost rural, tribal economic development

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — The University of Montana has been awarded a grant that will help the state's rural and tribal areas grow their economies.

The Missoulian reports the five-year, $730,000 federal grant will be used to fund efforts to help the distressed communities develop sustainable, high-growth entrepreneurial activity.

The director of Accelerate Montana and the Blackstone LaunchPad at the University of Montana, Paul Gladen, has been chosen to lead a new center created by the grant.

The facility will be called the University of Montana Center for Rural Economic Development.