New federal economic development district formed-Bitter Root Economic Development District- Ravalli, Mineral and Missoula counties

A new federal designation in western Montana will promote economic development projects and bring federal dollars into the area.

By JENNY JOHNSON Ravalli Republic Staff Reporter

U.S. officials last week approved the Bitter Root Economic Development District and the coinciding Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The new designation and document are fostered by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration and required for receiving federal dollars for projects such as the expansion of infrastructure for Corixa Corp. in Hamilton.

Shared with Mineral and Missoula counties, the district will cultivate economic development projects in the region, said John Rogers, the federal agency’s Montana field representative. The district is overseen by three county commissioners, one from each county, and representatives from cities in each county along with members of the Bitter Root Resource Conservation and Development program. Formed last summer, the district recently elected officers and adopted bylaws.

The RC&D developed the strategic document needed to take advantage of perks offered by the U.S. EDA. And with its approval last week by David Sampson, assistant secretary of commerce for economic development, the area is slated to be awarded money for the Corixa project and phase 2 of the MonTEC project in Missoula.

City of Hamilton officials were awaiting both the new designation and strategy to secure a federal grant for the Corixa project – an expansion of a biotech facility expected to add 100 jobs to Hamilton. Estimated at $1.4 million, supporters were under the gun to get the district formed in order to have the Corixa project considered for federal dollars.

"We wouldn’t be able to get the Corixa project going without the RC&D working on the CEDS report," said Dale Huhtanen, special projects officer for the city of Hamilton and board member of the new district.

That project is a good example, according to Rogers, of how the U.S. EDA can help communities. The formation of a district also makes it a contender for administrative grants to fund staff and can qualify for U.S. EDA grants to capitalize the formation of local revolving loan funds, Rogers said.

The collective maintenance of a regional economic development strategy allows counties to take advantage of more opportunities with a greater chance of long term success, Rogers said. The new district will work hand in hand with the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority as well as the Montana Community Development Corporation, the Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation and the Mineral County economic development group.

Reporter Jenny Johnson can be reached at 363-3300 or [email protected].

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