July 2026 Newsletter

Serving Southwest Montana: Anaconda-Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, Butte-Silver Bow, Granite, Jefferson, Madison & Powell Counties

Between our loan programs, Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Food and Agriculture Development Center (FADC), EPA Brownfields program, APEX Accelerator (government contracting), and our Specialty Crop Block Grant program, Headwaters RC&D is here to serve Southwest Montana and improve the economic vitality of our region!

BLDC’s Business Builder Social Features

a Marketing Roundtable Discussion

Join us for an engaging evening of conversation, practical insights, and networking at our Marketing Roundtable & Expert Panel on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM at Metals Bank, located at the corner of Park and Main.

Our panel of experienced marketing professionals will lead an open discussion on today’s most effective marketing strategies and answer your questions about the challenges facing businesses.

Topics will include:

• What’s working in marketing today—and what isn’t
• Out of the box marketing ideas to help drive traffic
• Low-cost, high-impact marketing ideas
• Social media strategies for small businesses
• Finding time to market your business while running it
• Making the most of your revenue-generating marketing assets
• Open Q&A and discussion with local marketing experts

Whether you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, marketer, or simply looking for fresh ideas to grow your business, you’ll leave with practical strategies you can put to work immediately.

Enjoy complimentary appetizers while networking with fellow business professionals. A no-host bar will also be available.

Admission:

• $25 for the general public
• FREE for BLDC members

We look forward to seeing you for an evening of learning, collaboration, and new marketing ideas!

Request for Proposals for a Dillon Project

Headwaters RC&D, serving as the Lead Organization for the Dillon D-Tour initiative under the Montana Tourism Development Grant (MTDG) Program of the Montana Department of Commerce, is seeking proposals from qualified firms to provide planning and engineering services in support of downtown tourism infrastructure improvements in the City of Dillon, Montana.

LEARN MORE>>

Updates from the Small Business

Development Team

Small Business Development Center – Client Successes

This month, our SBDC saw one client receive a large bank loan for the purchase of an established business, as well as the start of operations for one new business client. There are currently several other clients with their business plans out at banks, and several clients putting business plans together, so stand by for more updates later this year!

Small Business Development Center – National Training

This fall, our two SBDC advisors will attend the national training in Atlanta, where they will have opportunities to learn about all aspects of business advising. One of our advisors will travel there early in order to attend an AI certification bootcamp.

In the upcoming months, our Small Business Development Center is planning to provide several trainings at low cost to our clients and community members:

• Marketing Roundtable with Veronica Selway
• Financing Your Business with Jay Doyle
• Credit Readiness with Brenan Hammer
• Quickbooks Online with Kari Clark

Three members of our Headwaters team attended this year’s Montana Rural Summit in Townsend on June 10th. This gathering was a state-wide “celebration of rural Montana with presentations, panels, anddiscussions exploring innovative and effective ways to support the success of our small towns.” We find a lot of value in learning from other Montana regions about how they support small businesses, and creating connections throughout the state to benefit our clients.

2025 Food Survey Results Are In

There were 401 people who took the survey.

A majority say they would be interested in programs like CSA subscriptions, U Pick, Community Composting, Food as Medicine and Farm to School.

Some left comments like:

“Very interesting idea! Please keep it going. Butte needs more local food.” and

“This would be very enriching to our community!”

Events and Notices

ANACONDA – Shakespeare in the Park. Washoe Park will host the production of “The Merchant of Venice” on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 6:00pm. For more information call

406-994-3310.

ANACONDA – Anaconda Yoga Fest will be Sept. 11-13, 2026. This is your chance to experience the wild beauty and vibrant spirit of Anaconda through yoga, wellness, and outdoor adventure. For details contact 406-616-4331.

BANNACK – Bannack Kid’s Day on August 22, 2026 from Noon to 4:00pm. Hands on activities for children and those young at heart. Activities will include gold panning, Lewis & Clark exhibit with Steve Moorhouse, doll making and more!

BOULDER – Mooshfest on August 14-15, 2026 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.

Weekend of learning and creativity with music, art, yoga and sound healing.

BOULDER – August 20-23, 2026 Jefferson County Fair and Rodeo. Family fun is awaiting your entire family at this weekend-long event. Food, exhibits, great live music in the park and of course, carousel rides. Best of all, it’s free admission to the fair! Rodeo admission is $10/adults $5/youth.

BOULDER – Music and Arts Festival Sept 12, 2026 will be held in Veteran’s Park on Main Street. Enjoy live music, great food, art and fun. This is a free event! Remember to bring your lawn chair!

DILLON – Montana’s Biggest Weekend! Festivities begin Friday, September 4 in the fairgrounds arena with the Ranch Rodeo. Buy a fair button and you are there! The PRCA rodeo begins Saturday evening at 6pm at the arena with the initial round of the pro rodeo. Sunday, around 1pm are the finals of the pro rodeo. Come back in the evening around 7pm for the Rodeo Concert! Monday, Sept. 7th, has the Dillon Jaycees Labor Day Parade to finalize the fun weekend!

DEER LODGE – On August 1, 2026 join us for an unforgettable evening with Hannah Harper, winner of American Idol 2026! Experience her incredible story and enjoy a live performance while supporting the Powell County Medical Foundation. Doors Open: 5:00 PM Show Begins: 7:00 PM

DEER LODGE – Tri-County Fair August 12-16 at the Deer Lodge Fairgrounds Entries are open to residents of Powell, Granite and Deer Lodge Counties. The event features an NRA Rodeo, Ranch Rodeo, Team Roping, Demolition Derby, 4H-FFA Livestock Auction. Chili Cook off, Apple Pie Contest, Quilt Show, Yard Contest, Parade and Exhibits.

DEER LODGE – Old Montana Prison Ghost Tour August 28, 2026. The night begins at 8:00 PM at the Visitor Center, where your guide will check you in and provide ghost-hunting equipment (or feel free to bring your own). You’ll have exclusive access to explore the prison grounds and buildings until 2:00 AM, including off-limits areas like the ominous Death Tower and the upper tiers of the Cell House. Snacks and drinks will be available throughout the night to keep you fueled for this spine-chilling experience.

ENNIS – Fly Fishing and Outdoor Festival August 15, 2026. Features celebrity speakers and seminars, casting clinics and competitions, fly-fishing clinics, kids’ programs, BBQs, live music, and raffles. Also featured is a huge raffle of top-of-the-line fishing tackle, rods, reels, guided trips, artworks and more. A barbecue on Saturday features live music.

SHERIDAN – Join us on Aug 18, 2026 at 5:30PM for a wonderful evening in the Jackson’s garden as we explore the fascinating world of Red-Tailed Hawks and their natural habitat. Following the presentation enjoy a pasta dinner.

VIRGINIA CITY – August 15, 2026 will be the Virginia City’s Annual Grand Victorian Ball! Participants, dressed in Victorian era style, will promenade through town then spend an evening dancing classic reels and waltzes under the guidance of the dance caller. Light refreshments will also be available. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to step back in time! Tickets can be purchased through the Virginia City Preservation Alliance website.

If you would like to share your community news with us, please email the information to [email protected]. Our next newsletter will come out in September.