Previous editions: January 2006; February 2006;
March 2006;
April 2006;
May 2006;
June 2006;
JULY 2006
CRDC Spotlight is on the Western Rural Development Region , coordinated through the Lake County Community Development Corporation under the direction of Billie Lee.
This CRDC consists of four counties: Lake, Sanders, Mineral and Lincoln. As Billie pointed out, it was necessary for this area to come together as a region as they are on the fringe of Montana's fastest growing counties and communities. These four counties have some unique challenges, which the CRDC is working hard to address.
The Western Rural Development Region has taken a hard look at what makes this region different from the fast growing counterparts in the area. An economic analyst was hired to develop a set of demographics that would provide guidance to planning efforts on what exists within the four county region. Based on these findings, the CRDC is in the process of finalizing a five year plan based on the unique demographics of the area.
The Western Rural Development Region has a business development focus in all four counties and works closely with local development organizations for business outreach contacts. Billie pointed out there is not an SBDC within this CRDC, so the Kalispell and Missoula SBDC representatives are utilized.
Lake County Community Development coordinates regular partner meetings (at least every other month) with local development organizations in the partnership. The region meets for two to three hours to review the plan and determine what is needed to support the region and each other.
The current goal of the Western Rural Development Region is to build an implementation schedule to reflect the five year plan. Four or five project areas are being selected that reflect local needs, but meeting these local needs will also strengthen the region. Project considerations include: regional tourism, infrastructure (telecommunications as well as water, sewer, roads, industrial parks), medical and health care services, affordable housing and assisted living.
Billie noted that working to address issues on two levels at once (both local and regional) is a challenge. Billie said, "Our local organizations are one person shows, working across the spectrum of a region - and it is a challenge." There is a lot on each person's plate.
CRDC funding has made a great impact on this region, however, as it helped establish a Revolving Loan Fund (partnering with Rural Development and Montana Board of Housing). This fund is used across the region and has helped to begin pulling business deals together. Billie firmly believes that the only way to operate successfully as a region is to build capacity at the local level. The partnerships formed under this CRDC are critical to the success of the region.
MEDA Membership Update: MEDA is currently 202 members strong. Our newest members are William Dryer of HKM Engineering, Bozeman and Nancy K. Peterson, Director of Montana Department of Agriculture, Helena. Welcome to MEDA!
Many of you know and have had the pleasure of working with Dave Sharpe, MSU Extension. Dave wrote: "I'll be retiring June 30, and would just like to say thanks to all the MEDA members it's been my privilege to work with over past 24 years. I'll still be around and still be interested in doing community development work as the opportunities arise. My new contact info is: phone 406-586-2031; email dsboz@aol.com. Again, thanks, Dave Sharpe." We wish you all the best in your new projects and adventures, Dave.
Print the updated Membership Directory.
Grant and Funding Opportunities:
Funding Opportunities for Renewable Fuels
A Directory of Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Environmental Protection Assistance Programs, published by the EPA State and Local Capacity Building Branch.
Montana Commerce Department’s Tourism Infrastructure Investment Program (TIIP) Application deadline is Tuesday, August 1st.
Working Groups...Are Working!: Several MEDA Working Groups have requested support and/or action from the MEDA Board and eventually, the MEDA membership. On June 20th, the board met and discussed items from the Value Added Ag, Tech Transfer, Native American Partners, and Transportation Working Groups. An update will be provided the MEDA Membership at the fall conference.
Training Opportunities: Interested in sharpening your professional skills as an economic and community development practitioner? Here are some outstanding training opportunities.
Need a scholarship for training? It is that time again - apply for a MEDA Rick Jones Memorial Scholarship. Read the criteria on the MEDA website and download the application form. The deadline is August 1st at 5:00pm.
Grant Writing Course: The community development specialists at Big Sky Economic Development Authority will present a free introductory workshop about the grant-seeking process on Wednesday, July 12th, from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. in the Big Sky EDA conference center located on the first floor of Granite Tower, 222 North 32nd Street in downtown Billings. Please call Allison at 256-6871 ext. 100 to reserve your place at the Pre-Grants Workshop on or before Tuesday, July 11.
Northwest Economic Development Course:
On August 6-11, 2006, the nationally accredited 15th annual economic development course will take place in Ellensburg, Washington. This course brings some of the best consultants, practitioners and teachers in the country to the area to give their thoughts on how states and communities can establish a healthy environment that can lead to economic development.
For Your Tool Box: Check out these practical resources.
MEDA staff recently attended a workshop, sponsored by the Montana Nonprofit Association, titled "Advocacy for the Busy Nonprofit Organization". The four hour workshop was excellent and included: Lobbying and the Law, Legal Parameters for 501©3's, Montana Specific Distinctions, Building Your Organizations Capacity for Effective Legislative Campaigns, and Building Relationships for Advocacy Success. Permission was received from the presenter to copy the PowerPoint presentation and place it for display on the MEDA website. The file is available at http://www.medamembers.org/lobbying.pdf
What the Numbers Say:
Census and Economic Information Center, Montana Department of Commerce
What are new hires earning?
Quarterly Workforce Indicators (QWI): Set of economic indicators -- including employment, job creation, wages, and worker turnover -- that can be queried by different levels of geography -- state, county, metro, and workforce investment area -- as well as by detailed industry, gender, and age of workers. LED/QWI is a partnership between state labor market information agencies (MT Dept. of Labor & Industry) and the U.S. Census Bureau.
For more information on the LED/QWI and to view your local data, go to the Census Bureau's LED web site at http://lehd.dsd.census.gov/led/index.html (click on QWI Online to access Montana data) or contact CEIC staff at 841-2740, or Dept. of Labor & Industry, Research & Analysis staff at 444-2430.
MEDA Conference Update: The 2006 MEDA Fall Conference Agenda Committee will be meeting July 10th to start mapping the conference agenda. Your input is always welcome! Mark your calendars for October 19th and 20th (the statewide teacher's convention) and get ready to enjoy a terrific conference in Havre at MSU-Northern. If you know of other conflicting conferences for this date, please let MEDA know.
MEDA Words of Wisdom from....Billie Lee, Executive Director, Lake County Community Development Corporation and Western Rural Development Region:
How often have we heard the term "act locally, think globally". While we often use this to describe activities that may affect our environment, it applies equally to community and economic development. Whether it is as local as a main street program, a "buy-local" campaign for locally grown/processed foods, or a cooperative store that serves a specific community; or, on a broader scale - a mine closure or major employer moving into a community - there is no such thing as only "local" impact.
No matter where we are in Montana and what we are doing in our communities, the impact affects our neighbors, whether those neighbors are next door, communities, counties, reservations or states and beyond. As CRDC's, as we think "community impact", we need to also think "regional impact", and as we consider "regional impact" we need to consider "state impact". The ripple affect is real.
If we can get better at envisioning the true impact of our local efforts, we will work harder to understand the needs of our neighbors and possible impact of our "local" projects in a more global sense; and find more ways to partner as we work together to achieve a stronger economic future for all Montana.
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