Bozeman's TechRanch plans to use a $500,000 federal appropriation to help spread its expertise around the state.
The federal money was included in the 2007 transportation, treasury, housing and urban development appropriations bill. Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., announced the earmark this week.
TechRanch, a small business incubator and resource center for entrepreneurs, was one of four Montana organizations to receive money in the bill and got the biggest chunk of money for the state, Rehberg's communications director Todd Shriber said.
Other recipients included the Powell County Economic Corporation, which is getting $50,000, and Montana State University-Billings.
"It's a pleasant surprise,"John O'Donnell, TechRanch's executive director, said.
TechRanch representatives had talked with Montana's delegates about funding, but didn't know they were in line for the transportation bill, he said.
TechRanch fits the "urban development" section of the bill, Shriber said.
The center will use the money to reach entrepreneurs outside of Bozeman with tools such as Webcasts of TechRanch programs, O'Donnell said.
"This is definitely a great opportunity for us to share some of our content with entrepreneurs around the state," he said.
TechRanch should receive the money before the end of September 2007, Shriber said.