Welcome to MEDA Online News. The purpose of this webpage is to serve as a communication link within the MEDA membership. It is to be a member-to-member site to inform MEDA Members as to news within our organization.
Let’s keep it simple: MEDA will send you an email to let you know when articles have been updated. If you would like to submit an article, an idea, a comment—please do. Let’s keep in touch and keep our network strong. Previous editions: January 2006; February 2006;
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December 2006;
JANUARY 2007
CRDC Update: The final 2005 Annual Report of CRDC activity is available for your review. Each CRDC should be very proud of all that has been accomplished to date and the regional efforts that are ongoing. Reminder: Guidelines for submitting your 2006 Annual Reports and Discretionary Funding Proposals are due by January 30, 2007. Also, if you have a CRDC project you would like to have featured in the next newsletter, please send it to MEDA as well.
MEDA Membership Update: MEDA 2007 membership invoices have been sent via snail mail. For your convenience, you can pay your MEDA dues online or via check.
Print the MEDA Membership Directory.
Grant and Funding Opportunities:
The Montana Board of Research and Commercialization Technology is accepting proposals for funding. Proposals are due March 1, 2007. The Request for Proposal may be found on the MBRCT website.
If you have any questions about the RFP, please call the MBRCT at 406.841.2760.
The Montana Department of Commerce has published updated WIRED Application Guidelines on its website.The definition of eligible business applicants has been expanded. Originally, businesses that were principally engaged in the production of bio-products in the WIRED region were eligible applicants for job training grants for new and incumbent workers. The Department of Commerce WIRED program will now also consider assisting manufacturing and energy related businesses in the defined region that create and retain a significant number of jobs, and which conduct business activities and products that are supportive to the development of the bio-product industry in the WIRED region. Examples can be found on page two of the application guidelines. Questions can be directed to:Nancy Faroni Guccione, WIRED Program Manager, 406.841.2744.
USDA Rural Development is now accepting applications for the Rural Business Opportunity Grant program. The application deadline is March 30, 2007 and the deadline for the Native American and EZ/EC earmarked funds is January 31, 2007.
Also the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program has increased the dollar amounts for maximum awards. This program provides loans and grants to rural electric and telephone cooperatives for economic development projects in their service areas. The new limits are $1,040,000 for the 0% loans and $300,000 for the grants. Application deadlines continue to be on a quarterly basis. If anybody has any questions they should contact John Guthmiller's office at 406.585.2540.
Working Groups...Are Working!:
The MEDA BEAR Working Group and Legislative Committee/Working Group have been active in December. Please see the MEDA BEAR monthly report at http://www.medamembers.org/bear.html
The MEDA office compiled and Impact Report of key economic development programs that demonstrates their success and impact on the state. View this report at http://www.medamembers.org/ImpactReport.pdf It is hoped Montana's Legislator's will find this information useful in the fast-approaching session.
Opportunities For You: Interested in sharpening your professional skills as an economic and community development practitioner? Looking for new tools to place in your economic development tool box? Check these out. Notice: it is time once again for the spring round MEDA Scholarship competition. Apply today at http://www.medamembers.org/meda_scholarship.php
Larry Keown, Velma Pretty On Top and friends are bringing the workshop "Building Effective Government and Business Relations with American Indian Tribes" to Montana in three locations in January: January 22 - 23, Missoula; January 25 - 26, Great Falls and January 29 - 30, Billings. These workshops are one-of-a-kind. You will be glad you made time to attend. More information is available at http://www.ldkassociates.com.
Must see ED - "Community Survivors 3" is coming your way March 6-8, 2007
Alderbrook Resort and Spa, Union, Washington. Community Survivors 3 introduces you to the skills and tools necessary to "outwit, outplay and outlast" your competition. Don't miss this chance to learn more about the creative practices you need to attract, retain and expand your business community.
Montana Ambassador 2007 Annual Meeting, February 15th and 16th in Helena, promises to be a memorable event. Rich Karlgaard, Publisher of Forbes Magazine and author of "Life 2.0: How People Across America Are Transforming Their Lives by Finding the Where of Their Happiness", is the keynote speaker for the session. Governor Schweitzer will award outstanding Montana Ambassadors including: Montana Ambassador of the Year, Mike Malone Educator of the Year, Business of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year. Senator Max Baucus will speak at breakfast Friday morning and Legislative leadership will participate in a working lunch. Register at http://www.montanaambassadors.com.
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Montana BEAR Report: If you haven't already, get on board Montana's BEAR program! Review the December report and learn of progress in initiating this program across the state. Existing programs include: Billings, Kalispell, Great Falls and Butte. Those in active start-up phase (held at least one organizational meeting): Missoula and Bozeman. Areas of strong interest, ready to gear up: Sanders County, Eureka, Lincoln County, Havre, Helena and Lewistown. Those groups in the discussion phase: Glendive and Mineral County. According to the ExecutivePulse data collected for December, two regions were active in the past month: West - Flathead County with five businesses contacted in the region and South Central - Yellowstone County with one.
What the Numbers Say: 
Montana Department of Commerce
2006 Montana Population Estimates Released
Montana's population totaled 944,632 on July 1, 2006, up 9,895 from one year earlier, according to estimates released December 22, 2006 by the U.S. Census Bureau. Montana's rank remains 44th.
This release also includes components of change otherwise known as births and deaths (natural increase) and migration, both internal and international.
To access the latest data including a Montana highlight, detailed Excel files with rankings, and population density maps, visit CEIC's state estimates web page at http://ceic.mt.gov/EstimatesStatePop.asp.
2006 county and city population estimates will be released in the spring and summer of 2007 respectively. For more information, contact CEIC staff at 841-2740 or sockert@mt.gov.
My Turn: This-n-That from the MEDA Office
It is that time of year again...no, not THAT time (to make new year's resolutions and swear off chocolate) but time for the spring round of MEDA's Rick Jones Memorial Scholarship competition. The criteria and application forms are available on our MEDA website at http://www.medamembers.org/meda_scholarship.php. The deadline for applications is 5:00pm February 1st, 2007. An electronic submission is best. Email either Anne Boothe, Scholarship Committee Chair or Gloria. The application process is simple and will enable you to take in training to boost your professional economic development skills. What a great way to start the New Year!
A Success Story....Do you have a story to share? Download the report template and send to MEDA.
Reporter: Kathie Bailey, Executive Director, Snowy Mountain Development Corp.
CRDC Region: Snowy Mountain Development Corp.
Project Location: Lewistown
Project: Yogo Inn
Number of Jobs Affected: 72 employees
Description of assistance or activity: Technical and revolving loan fund assistance.
Partners Involved: Yogo Inn, Fergus County and Snowy Mountain Development Corp.
Funding sources: Private local banks, new owners, RLF
Brief Summary: November 22, 2006 marked the fourth month of new local ownership at the Yogo Inn in Lewistown and there have been many improvements to the facility and overall service. Improvements to date have included new pillowtop mattresses, new pillows for all beds, new shower heads in all the rooms, total new heating and air conditioning system, new artwork in the guest rooms, new bedspreads and bedding, new state of the art Property Management System that processes front desk and restaurant transactions and provides for strict inventory control, several new plasma flat screen TV's and new beverage coolers in the lounge, new sound system in the Sapphire Meeting Rooms including a new satellite music system in public areas, new keyless entry system has been ordered for all sleeping rooms and outside entry door security, new kitchen freezer, new flatware and table settings for the dining room and catering service, and new seating upgrades in the lounge.
In addition the gift shop has been remodeled into a modern business center which will provide two new desktop computers with FREE wireless internet and a new copier for our business guests. In addition, employees pay scales have been increased.
Improvements that are planned for the next four months include the hiring of a top level professional chef to manage the kitchen and other kitchen improvements.
SMDC encourages conferences and others to check out these improved facilities.
For additional information, contact Bob Giese of SMDC at 406.535.2591.
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