Provide a clearing house of information * To support legislative issues as related to housing * Address workforce housing (community participation)* Work with RD and Cooperative housing programs * Promote housing conference in June - through MEDA (June 11-13, 2008 at the Holiday Inn, Great Falls, MT) * Designate a member of MEDA to serve as a liaison to bring information back to members (website) * Address a large scope of housing needs (not just low income) i.e., possible survey to address needs.

Focus on Energy Project Development - not policy making * Coal, Wind, Solar, Bio Fuels, Anaerobic, Conservation, Geothermal, National Gas/Oil, Hydro * Procure funding for marketing * Build on the MEDA Energy Webpage: Education for use of various tools, programs; Network through MEDA existing projects in each area - email brief descriptions of these, or contact program expertise; Advocate (encourage our membership) to comment on projects.

Montana Certified Natural Beef - (born, raised, fed in Montana) * Should processing take place in MT for true value added? * Create some dynamics to bring processing infrastructure to Montana * Comment period - is it over? * Contact MT Dept of Ag. Value Added Ag Innovation Center - policy priority for legislative action: Involve Dept. of Ag and Governor's Office * Other Partners on board - Grow MT * Ag groups

Melissa Hannah would like to get BEAR going in Dillon * Discussion of challenges: Businesses owners reluctant to share info; Develop a partnership with MMEC in Butte, as well as with Job Service. Ideas discussion: * Billings has held two BEAR Affairs - first one was a great success. Lewistown interested in holding one in their area. * Involve local mayor, county and city officials, etc. * Existing businesses feel neglected due to tax incentives offered to new businesses - make incentives available to them, too. * Legislative activity - engage city administrators, etc.

Keep the group active * Focus on Entrepreneurship - training and resources * Tribal Representation more active in MEDA and the working group * Invite MIBA and members to attend MEDA functions * Have each tribe do a presentation a the next MEDA conference - what works, projects, etc.

Focus on resource development * Focus on Angel Fund resources * Focus on areas of entrepreneur development * Focus on developing services needed and a list of where they are (resource guide.

Debi Davidson and Mike Strang met and discussed various tourism strategies.

Urban Renewal "Tools Available" Workshop will be held at the Havre Great Northern Motor Inn, March 26, 2008, starting promptly at 10:00 a.m. and ending by 5:00 p.m. Jerry Grebenc, Manager – Community Technical Assistance Program, Montana Department of Commerce is scheduled to join us. He is the State’s expert on Growth Management Policy requirements so bring your questions, planners and any one else who will be working on the Browning and Poplar Growth Policy Plans – a prerequisite to adoption of an Urban Renewal Plan and Project. Randy Hanson, Montana Department of Commerce Regional Development Officer (RDO) for North Central Montana will also join us, and Tod Kasten, RDO for Eastern Montana has been invited as well, but travel costs may be prohibitive.
        A Bonus! John (Jody) Kertzmann, Co-Director of the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Institute at Northwestern University (Chicago, IL) and author of “Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community’s Assets,” will be giving a Lecture, March 26, 2008, at 7:00 p.m., Montana State University – Northern’s Hensler Auditorium. The evening lecture is free of charge, co-sponsored by Hopa Mountain, Montana State University’s Horizons program, MSU Leadership Institute, ASMSU, and Opportunity Link. Also, Jody Kertzman will be conducting an “Asset-based Strategies and Tools Workshop” on March 27, 2008, (no charge) at the Best Western Great Northern Inn Havre from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Call in your registration ASAP (406) 586-2455.

Material Tracking and Automated Data CollectionThe Prospera Business Network Manufacturing Roundtable presents Material Tracking and Automated Data Collection Chuck Wambeke, Industrial Automation Consulting, Inc. Details: Wednesday, March 5; 11:45am Registration and Lunch 12:00 - 1:00pm Program. Montana Manufacturing Extension Center, 2310 University Way, Building 2, (south of MSU Campus, between Museum of the Rockies and MSU Stadium). Registration: $10 Prospera Members $20 Non-Members RSVP by Monday, March 3 to Amanda Schultz at aschultz@ProsperaBusinessNetwork.com or 587.3113

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