How the dollars move — private already in, this ask, what the City can match.
No invented numbers. The $5,000 handicap entrance is in. Graffiti wash is still open, so the priced total can still grow by that one bid.
Windows and wells $24,210.59. Doors $30,620. Stone and gutters $20,400. Ramp $5,000 + mural $2,500 + disposal $1,200 + cyclists $750. That is the $84,680.59.
| 1. File | 2. City match | 3. Work | 4. Done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, August 28. Ellie is Diane’s City reviewer. | Up to half the outside. About $42,340 if they match 50% of the August 23 priced total. | Most of the exterior in 2026. Private shop inside stays private. | End of 2027. Building working as Joshua Tree Cabinetry. |
Behind that ask sits a home-equity line of up to $250,000. The City match is the main public lane. Downtown HURD is a different district — not this filing.
Primary path remains Helena Railroad District TIF (≤50% match) — RURD only, not downtown HURD. Everything below is additive. Never double-bill the same invoice. Restated August 23 from Diane, ramp $5,000 added August 23.
| Source | What it funds | Who claims | Fit for this project | Status / next |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helena Railroad URD TIF | Exterior rehab, façade, accessibility, blight cure | Applicant (with owner permission) | PRIMARY | City already engaged (Diane draft: "per our conversation yesterday") |
| Downtown HURD / BID façade | Downtown urban-renewal / façade money | — | Not this application. Different district. This building is on the rail line (RURD). | Stripped from this filing per Diane, Aug 23. |
| Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund | Job creation — up to $5,000/job ($7,500 high-poverty) | Local gov applies on business's behalf | Shop expansion + jobs (not façade) | Basic-sector + wage-floor test. Route via Big Sky EDA. |
| Montana Historic Preservation Grant Program (Commerce; accommodations tax) | Historic rehab, up to $350k, 1:1 match | Owner / eligible entity | Strong if building qualifies + owner willing | Feb 28, 2026 passed. Next: Mar 1, 2028. Calendar. |
| Federal Historic Tax Credit (~20%) | Qualified rehab on certified historic structure | Usually owner | Building not in City historic-district GIS; NR eligibility open with SHPO/HPO | Eligibility first |
| Montana Historic Tax Credit (25% of federal credit amount) | Follows federal certification | Owner | Same gate as federal | Same |
| Preserve Montana / SHPO technical assistance | Guidance, grant navigation | Anyone | Use early | Call / email |
| MBAC (Montana Business Assistance Connection) | Small-business counseling, financing navigation | Business | Shop ops, not façade | Intro after TIF path clear |
| Helena Chamber / local econ dev | Networks, letters of support | Business | Soft support for board packet | Request letter |
| USDA Rural / small business programs | Equipment, working capital (if eligible) | Business | Shop tools — separate from façade | Screen eligibility |
| Private lender / cash / sweat equity | Match + interior | Applicant | Required leverage story | DOCUMENTED Aug 17 — up to $250,000 home-equity line of credit + own funds/labor already in (Diane's narrative) |