Bear Paw among 11 development organizations certified

Press release

HELENA – The Montana Department of Commerce has completed a competitive RFP process to award 11 Certified Regional Development Corporation contracts including to Havre-based Bear Paw Development Corp., the oldest economic development district in the state.

CRDCs receive state funding to facilitate economic development in their regions. Core activities include strategic planning, revolving loan fund management and business technical assistance. CRDCs also apply for state and federal funding programs, including those offered by DOC's Office of Tourism and Business Development, on behalf of their constituents and administer those funds.

"The CRDCs serve a critical role and their teams work hard every day to strengthen Montana's economy," said DOC Director Meg O'Leary. "They know what's going on in their communities, what needs to be accomplished, and how to best get it done," O'Leary continued. "They are a key catalyst for economic development at the regional level and I look forward to working side-by-side with each of these fine organizations to provide professional economic development services to local officials, communities and businesses across Montana."

The following organizations have been designated as CRDCs for the period of Jan. 1, 2016, through Dec. 31, 2019:

• Bear Paw Development Corp., Havre

• Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc., Joliet

• Eastern Plains Economic Development Corp., Terry

• Great Northern Development Corp., Wolf Point

• Headwaters RC&D Area, Inc., Butte

• Lake County Community Development Corp., Ronan

• Montana Business Assistance Connection, Helena)

• Prospera Business Network, Bozeman

• Snowy Mountain Development Corp., Lewistown

• Southeastern Montana Development Corp., Colstrip

• Sweetgrass Development, Great Falls

  CRDCs may be contacted to discuss any business development projects. A list of CRDCs, including the counties they serve, can be found on the program's website: http://crdc.mt.gov.

  Bear Paw is Montana's oldest economic development district, recognized by the U.S. Economic Development Administration in 1969. It provides services to local governments, businesses and residents including in community planning, business lending, value-added agriculture, community development and small business counseling.

Bear Paw's district includes Blaine, Chouteau, Hill, Liberty and Phillips counties and the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy's Indian reservations.