About the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund Program
(MCA 90-1-201) House Bill 249 was passed by the 59th Legislature, and on July 1, 2005, $20 million was transferred from the coal severance tax permanent fund to the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund. In addition, a portion of the total coal severance taxes collected is annually deposited into BSTF.
Interest earnings only, not principle, from the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund are available for financial assistance to local governments and economic development organizations through application to the Department of Commerce.
The Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF) Program aids the development of good paying jobs for Montana residents and promotes long-term, stable economic growth in Montana. There are two distinct methods to achieve this goal:
- Through job creation funding, which receives 75% of the program funding;
- Through planning projects, which receives 25% of the funding.
