May MEDA Online News

The May MEDA Online News http://www.medamembers.org/medanews.html is now available for your review. Your feedback and news are always welcome.

Many of you have contacted the MEDA office asking for the latest on HB123 which contained the funding and sunset language for important economic development programs. Andy Poole kindly provided the following information:

House Bill 123 as passed by the Legislature (not yet signed by the Governor) extends the sunset on the funding for all of the economic development programs from June 30, 2010 to June 30, 2019.

The Growth Through Agriculture Program is reduced from $1.25 million per year to $625,000 per year for the period from July 1, 2010 until June 30, 2013. On July 1, 2013 the funding will go back up to $1.25 million per year through June 30, 2019.

The Research & Commercialization Program is reduced from $3.65 million per year to $1.275 million per year for the period from July 1, 2010 until June 30, 2013. On July 1, 2013 the funding will go back up to $3.65 million per year through June 30, 2019.

The MEDA Legislative Committee deserves countless thanks for its dedication throughout the session.

One more item: if you haven’t already, check out the dynamic MEDA conference agenda! http://matr.net/events.phtml?showdetail=2760

All the best,

gloria

Gloria O’Rourke

Montana Economic Development Services

118 E. Seventh St; Suite 2A * Anaconda, MT 59711

Ph: 406.563.5259 Cell: 406.490.0462 Fx: 406.563.5476