WELCOME

The Montana Business Enterprise Program for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MBEP) was established by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services in 2000 to provide  Montanans who are legally blind with remunerative employment  and self-support through the operation of vending facilities  on federal, state and other properties.

MBEP (also commonly referred to as the "blind vendors program") currently has licensed blind vendors operating vending machine facilities on state, federal and other properties in four areas of the state -- Missoula, Kalispell, Helena-Deer Lodge Valley and Billings and expects to eventually add operations in Great Falls, Bozeman and Butte. In addition, MBEP is responsible for administering vending facilities on state properties throughout Montana regardless of whether they are operated by blind or non-blind vendors.

The purpose of this web site is to provide you with a handy reference guide to Montana's business enterprise program. As such, it consists of the following:

• Description of the program and how it operates;
• Recent program developments;
• Legal authority for the program;
• MBEP operations;
• MBEP management and organizational structure;
• Employment opportunities for the blind and visually impaired;
• Reports and resources;
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs); and
• Links to other sites dealing vending programs for the blind and visually impaired.

We hope you will take a few minutes to explore our website and get to know us better. We are sure you will find it to be a source of valuable information. And be sure to come back often -  we will continuously update the site with new information, particularly  regarding the progress of our blind vendors.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact us at: