Welcome to MEDA Online News

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;   June 2006;  July 2006; August 2006; September 2006;

OCTOBER 2006


The CRDC Spotlight is on Beartooth RC&D/CRDC, the Certified Regional Development Corporation for Sweetgrass, Stillwater, Carbon, Yellowstone, and Big Horn counties. Beartooth RC&D has experienced a complete turn over in staff during the past six months but the crew is learning the ropes and ready to move forward as a cohesive group. Chris Brink is the Economic Development Coordinator and Lynn Muncy is the NRCS coordinator while Chris Mehus is the coordinator for the CRDC.


Chris Mehus said Beartooth is using CRDC funds to build capacity not only within Beartooth but in the smaller communities within the Beartooth region. As we all know, many smaller communities do not have the ability and/or the funds to invest in community development on their own. The goal of Beartooth is to build that capacity in those communities so that they can eventually serve themselves.

With that goal in mind, Beartooth is supporting what each community already has in place and building on that foundation. For example, Red Lodge and Hardin have their own economic development coordinators so Beartooth works with them on ideas and projects. In Columbus, the economic development position was part time. Beartooth was able to add to that funding to build a full time position, which adds capacity not only to Columbus but to Beartooth as well.

Chris is excited about the Horizon's program currently offered by MSU Extension. Several Beartooth communities are considering applications to the program. Chris feels there are people with great ideas within our communities but they have no idea how to bring their vision to fruition. Horizon is a program that focuses on assets rather than needs and guides in building leadership and getting things done.

Beartooth RC&D/CRDC has an active Brownfields grant program and has completed six Phase 1 analyses of various properties. The funds are used to evaluate contaminates on old or abandoned sites and provide environmental documentation for potential developers.

Beartooth is also involved in the fuels reduction program which provides grant funding to reduce fuel loading in subdivisions and areas that have developed in forested areas in the region. The purpose of the program is to educate property owners on making their property more defensible and reduce the risk of catastrophic fire.

The Beartooth Revolving Loan Fund is used to provide gap financing and to create jobs in the area. Beartooth partners with the SBDC housed with Big Sky EDA which provides a half day of serves in six of the Beartooth region communities.

Chris said that Beartooth is anxious for the state BEAR program to be fully implemented. Beartooth is already a strong partner with the Billings BEAR program and looks forward to moving it out further into Beartooth's rural areas.


MEDA Membership Update: MEDA Membership totals 215. New members for the month of September: Chris Cerquone, Geomatrix Consultants, Missoula; David Hall, Office of Commissioner of Higher Ed, Helena; Betsy Hovda, MT DEQ, Helena; Robert Jordan, Jordan Sustainable Development, Whitefish; Don Kinney, Red Lodge Area Economic Development Corp.; Red Lodge and Angela Nelson, MT DOC, Helena. Welcome to MEDA!  
      Print the MEDA Membership Directory.   >

Grant and Funding Opportunities: The deadline for the Fall, Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2007 Housing and Neighborhood Renewal ranking competition has been changed from Friday, November 3 to Friday, December 8, 2006 by 5:00 P.M. The FFY 2007 CDBG Housing and Neighborhood Renewal Grant Application Guidelines are now available online at: http://comdev.mt.gov/CDD_CDBG_Hous.asp. Hard copy versions will be available shortly.

The Uniform Application for Montana Housing Loan, Grant, and Tax Credit Programs, latest edition was completed this last August and is available on the web @ http://housing.mt.gov/Hous_Apps.asp. Printed copies are also available upon request from our program. A completed copy of the Uniform Application for housing projects must be included in each CDBG housing application. For further assistance call(406) 841-2791.

Kellogg Foundation: Food Systems and Rural Development Program. Funds are available for those seeking rural economic development through community problem-solving, leadership development and entreprenurship development. The award amount varies. Contact: Supervisor of Proposal Processing, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, One Michigan Avenue East, Battle Creek, Michigan 49017-4012 USA. Link to full announcement: http://www.wkkf.org/default.aspx?tabid=75&CID=294&NID=61&LanguageID=0


Working Groups...Are Working!: In the evaluation feedback received from the MEDA Spring Conference, participants said they very much valued the updates from MEDA's working groups. So do keep your working group active and plan to provide another update during the MEDA Fall Conference in Havre.

Training Opportunities: Interested in sharpening your professional skills as an economic and community development practitioner? Here are some outstanding training opportunities.
    If you have never participated in the Gateway to Opportunity Entrepreneur and Economic Development Forum don't miss this one. You have plenty of time to arrange your schedule for January 3rd and 4th and plan to make the drive to Glendive. It will be well worth the trip. Check out this loaded agenda at http://www.dawsoncountyed.com/GTO.htm

For Your Tool Box: Check out these practical resources.

A great tool for any tool box is to learn from another project's success. Catch this article on the DirecTV Grand Opening. Congratulations to Dick King and all of the partners that made this event possible.

Montana Marketplace - Tools for Business Workshop & Trade Show Preparation Session “Tools for Business” workshop and Made in 2007 Montana Trade Show Preparation Session is scheduled for Monday, October 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Missouri Room of the Great Falls Civic Center. This day-long workshop is offered to Montana entrepreneurs and is tailored especially to those considering participation in the 2007 Made in Montana Marketplace in March. The cost of the workshop is $75.00 and includes morning and afternoon coffee and lunch. There are $25 scholarships available on a first-come basis. The deadline for registration is October 4. Information and registration materials are available by phone (406)268-3713 or online at http://www.msugf.edu/Workshop.pdf.


What the Numbers Say: Montana Department of Commerce

Montana Gross State Product, 2004
To access the detailed industry data for the state, visit CEIC's web site at http://ceic.mt.gov/GrossStProduct.asp. For more information, contact CEIC staff at 841-2740.


MEDA Conference Update: The 2006 MEDA Fall Conference agenda is complete and promises to be one of the best MEDA conferences to date. Highlights of the conference include: A time for region-to-region reporting so that you can be brought up to date on what is happening in your region; Hear in-depth information from three MEDA Working Group issues: Energy, Tech Transfer and Transportation; Receive updates from other MEDA Working Groups; Enjoy a tour of the state-of-the-art MSU Northern Applied Technology Center and Business Incubator; Meet ONE-ON-ONE with agency directors and program specialists to discuss projects and/or challenges; Take a little time for a wonderful meal as well as entertainment - provided for your dining pleasure; Learn of the Montana Wealth Transfer Study so that you can prevent $$$ from leaving your community; Listen to the candidates in our Question and Answer Forum; Hear from legislative leaders that will preview economic development policy initiatives from both parties; Join other MEDA Members in establishing MEDA issues and priorities for the 2007 Legislative Session; Rick Jones Memorial Scholarship Awards will be announced. Register today at http://www.medamembers.org/agendafall06.htm. See you October 19th and 20th!


MEDA Words of Wisdom from....Chris Mehus, Beartooth RC&D/CRDC: Words of Wisdom: We must provide communities with the tools so that individuals are capable and come to the full realization that their community's future is in their own hands.



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