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;
March 2006;
April 2006;
MAY 2006
CRDC Spotlight is on Eastern Plains RC&D Area, Inc. under the direction of Mike Carlson. Cal Oraw is the Certified Regional Development Corporation Economic Development Specialist. Cal recently filled out the CRDC Annual Report Summary and shared a multitude of projects and activities going on in his neck of the woods....and plains. The Eastern Plains RC&D/CRDC serves five counties including: Dawson, Prairie, Wibaux, Fallon and Carter.
As we all know, Eastern Montana faces challenges different from other areas of the state. To obtain as much leverage as possible, Eastern Plains RC&D does not hesitate to partner with a sister CRDC: Southeastern Montana Development Corporation. Currently, these CRDC's share SBDC Director Michelle Jutila as well as a Revolving Loan Fund.
During the past year, Eastern Plains RC&D provided business assistance for new and existing businesses: the new owners of Baker Livestock Auction in Baker; Dawson County Economic Development Council; Southeast Montana Area Revitalization Team; A furniture manufacturer; A tire disposal and recycling business; ATechBuilders Corporation expansion to eastern Montana; Prairie County Economic Development efforts on the Evelyn Cameron Gallery and paving of Secondary Road 525 from Terry to Montana
Highway 200
Public meetings are being held to gather input for the five-county area's Certified Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The meeting format includes a one-page questionnaire where the participants are asked: A. I feel the three major challenges facing my county are: B. I feel the three major strengths or assets of my county are: C. I would like to see the following three economic development projects completed in my county in the next five year...
The project ideas are listed on a board or poster for all to see. The ideas are then voted on with each participant getting three votes. The top three vote getting projects then become the three main projects to be worked on for that county. Time is then spent on discussing the strengths and assets listed by the participants before closing the meeting. The CRDC Area CEDS Committee will then determine area priorities from the county priority lists.
Currently, the focus is on housing for three of the smallest populated counties in the state: Prairie, Wibaux and Carter. If a carpenter can be found (and that is a big "if"), carpenters are booked up at least a year in advance. Eastern Plains RC&D is looking into alterant ives to provide housing needs, including a Canadian firm that provides ready-to-move housing.
Meet MEDA's New Members: Be sure to catch up with Shannon Whiteman, Procurement Specialist for the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development at the MEDA Conference. Shannon is passionate about her work and is eager to share the procurement process with our MEDA membership.
Grant and Funding Opportunities: Interested in developing funding opportunities for startups including Angel networks and Venture Funding? Plan to join the Montana Capital Investment Action Group - 5/12, Helena, MT
12:00 PM Capital Building, Room 335, Helena, MT
Thanks to Dave Cole for passing this announcement along: Application Deadline is May 15 for the USDA-RUS' Community Connect Grant program which provides grants for broadband transmission service to extremely rural, lower-income communities. See funding availability notice >
Know anyone that has a business idea? Consider the Small Business Innovative Research Phase O application. In order to stimulate better SBIR competition results in Montana, the Montana Department of Commerce Small Business Development Center, in conjunction with The University of Montana, is funding a Phase 0 program. The purpose of this program is to facilitate high quality SBIR Phase 1 proposals and to broaden participation from Montana small businesses through Phase 0 competition assistance grants. Proposals must be received electronically by 5:00 PM on May 25, 2006. To view the schedule, obtain a copy of the solicitation and template go to: http://sbir.mt.gov/Phase0.asp or contact Linda Brander, who knows this process inside and out.
Working Groups...Are Working!: It is hoped that you were able to attend the MEDA Conference and catch the presentations made by several of MEDA's Working Groups. In case you missed them, here are some links to several of the files/presentations:
Technology Transfer Working Group:
** Technology Transfer Summary
Energy Working Group: ** Montana's Energy Resources
Transportation Working Group:
** Opportunities for Partnerships
Native American Working Group: **Census Data and MT Reservations
The Value Added Ag Working Group and the Creative Arts Working Group will be making presentations as well.
Training Opportunities:
Interested in sharpening your professional skills as an economic and community development practitioner? Here are some outstanding training opportunities.
Northwest Community Development Institute asks: Do you want to become a Professional Certified Community Developer? Have you thought about increasing community effectiveness? Are you confident in addressing complex community issues? Would you like to keep current with today's important issues while earning CEU's? If so, consider attending the conference July 17 - 21st. All the details are at: www.nwcdi.com
Want to understand more about alternative fuel issues? The 16th Annual Ethanol Producers and Consumers Conference will be held June 11-13, 2006, in Whitefish, Montana, near Glacier National Park. The conference is all day Monday and Tuesday morning and will feature nationally known speakers regarding ethanol and biodiesel. Check out the agenda at http://www.ethanolmt.org
For Your Tool Box: Check out these practical resources.
Broadband Deployment Enhances Economic Growth (MIT Study):
Broadband access does enhance economic growth and performance of local communities and the assumed economic impacts of broadband are real and measurable, according to a preliminary report by MIT's Communications Futures Program. Measuring Broadband's Economic Impact was funded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA).
The report notes that "broadband is clearly related to economic well-being and is thus a critical component of our national communication infrastructure." In addition, researchers point out that "the implication for economic development professionals is that a portfolio of broadband-related policy interventions that is reasonably balanced (i.e. also pays attention to demand-side issues such as training) is more likely to lead to positive economic outcomes than a single-minded focus on availability." Note: the report is a huge file so be sure to have high speed access. Download the report.
From the MATR Newsletter: Financing non-profit facilities in today's culture. In case you missed it, this article is filled with links to assist non-profits in the never-ending search for funding.
MEDA 2006 Spring Conference Report: Check out the highlights and photos from the conference, as well as many of the presenter's PowerPoint files.
MEDA Words of Wisdom from....Cal Oraw, CRDC Economic Development Specialist for Eastern Plains RC&D. "Constantly preach the T.E.A.M concept: 'Together Everyone Achieves More'." Cal elaborated by saying what is good for Glendive is good for Terry...what is good for Eastern Montana is good for us all.
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