Bootstrap Montana, the new micro-loan program created by the Gianforte Family Charitable Trust and administered by TechRanch, is actively accepting loan applications.

Funds have been distributed to two rural Montana businesses: Kim Loftus Tile in Jefferson City, and more recently, Sunrise Pack Station in Belgrade. Many more zero-interest loans are available to rural Montana companies that show growth potential, bring new money into the state, and increase the level of employment in our communities.

Sunrise Pack Station is owned by Shane McClaflin, a professional guide with 17 years' experience in Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. With the company of a cook, a wrangler and a part-time fishing guide, McClaflin guides threeto five-day educational and fishing pack trips through the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park. Business aspects of SPS are administered by Shane's wife, Sarah. The funds provided by Bootstrap Montana allowed Sunrise Pack Station to generate more widespread interest in their backcountry trips by attending the International Sportsman Expo in San Mateo, Calif.