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New survey, new trainings, and new hires at Sweetgrass Development

Sweetgrass Development

Businesses, non-profits, and government entities in north-central Montana have a fresh opportunity to voice their needs, thanks to Sweetgrass Development. We published a needs assessment survey that we plan to use to provide business trainings and deliver an assessment of what is required to grow the regional economy in the second half of 2021.

Anyone who owns, operates, or represents a business, non-profit, or government entity, including the Blackfeet and Little Shell Tribes, and Cascade, Glacier, Pondera, Teton, and Toole County is invited to provide feedback. Available now, the survey runs until May 28th. The community that provides the most responses by May 28th will receive $1,000 towards the community project of their choice.

Sweetgrass had hired additional staff to increase operational capacity in the region. Corey Hageman is the new regional director and will be leading the organization’s business technical assistance operations. Sean McGuire, executive assistant, handles communications and administrative processes. Kathy Woodford is the joint administrative assistant for Sweetgrass Development and the Pondera Regional Port Authority in Conrad, focusing on research and marketing assistance as well as community development.

Sweetgrass Development is hosting a food sustainability training, “The A-Zs of Meat Processing”, for individuals looking for a comprehensive introduction to the world of meat processing in Montana. The training will take place via Zoom (we apologize to those with Zoom fatigue) on Tuesday, May 25th, from 10 am-12 pm. The training will be repeated in the afternoon from 4 pm-6 pm. Online RSVPs are required.

During the pandemic SDC was able to assist in securing over $1 million in emergency funding for small businesses and nonprofits. These funds allowed many entities to keep their doors open. The hiring has been welcome and staff has hit the ground running. Please visit our website at to learn more about how we can help you with business advice, infrastructure grants, Brownfields assessments, and more.

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The North-Central Montana Economic Development District, dba Sweetgrass Development, is a private, non-profit corporation created in 2004 to support economic development in the counties of Glacier, Cascade, Pondera, Teton and Toole, as well as the Blackfeet Nation and the Little Shell Tribe. We are a diverse area that includes a large metropolitan area, many small towns, rural farming areas, several Hutterite Colonies and the Blackfeet Reservation. A nineteen-member Board of Directors governs Sweetgrass Development. The Board is comprised of community leaders who are elected or appointed officials as well as business owners and representatives of the communities.

 

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