Montana Capital Assistance Program
The Montana Capital Assistance Program (“MCAP”) provides technical assistance to small, rural non-profit Montana hospitals through a partnership between the Montana Health Research and Education (“Foundation”) and the Montana Facility Finance Authority (“Authority”). The assistance to these hospitals is provided through Foundation-approved consultants.
MCAP services assist a facility in developing a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for presentation to various lenders, including the Authority, for financing. The Foundation staff and consultants guide eligible facilities through their financing options. To be eligible a facilities’ governing body must have formally adopted a resolution to pursue a CIP and demonstrate a need for technical assistance.
MCAP SERVICES
A CIP is used by a hospital to establish infrastructure priorities and to examine funding options for renovations and improvements. MCAP provides technical assistance support in four areas – Scope of Service Review, Facility Master Plan, Capital Financing Plan and Legal Assistance. Approved technical assistance projects must be completed within 12 months of MCAP award.
- Scope of Service Review assists a facility in determining the gaps and overlaps in their community’s services, in evaluating future service demands and more fully developing pertinent services.
- Facility Master Plan, a critical step in the development of a facility’s CIP, includes an inventory and evaluation of existing conditions of the facility and prioritization of improvement/renovation/new construction needs.
- Capital Financing Plan includes identifying financing options, establishing a time schedule that integrates the funding with the proposed capital expenditure and developing a brief written document that is formally adopted by the governing body.
- Legal Assistance aids an eligible facility in offsetting attorney services expense in developing a capital financing proposal.
COSTS
Each eligible facility may apply for up to $15,000 in funding for assistance with any of the MCAP Services. Approved applications require a 20% cash match from the facility. Technical assistance is provided through consultants selected by the facility and approved by the Foundation.
APPLICATION PROCESS
An eligible hospital interested in obtaining technical assistance through MCAP should obtain a Site Application by writing, calling or e-mailing Joan Miles, Director; Montana Health Research and Education Foundation; P.O. Box 5119; Helena, MT 59604; phone: 406-442-8802; joan@mtha.org.
