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Small town values bring $90 million high-tech firm to Lewistown, Montana – Snowy Mountain Development Corporation (SMDC)

January 19, 2024 /

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Bear Paw Development Corporation is a private non-profit organization created for the purpose of administering programs to help improve regional economic conditions in Hill, Blaine, Liberty, Chouteau and Phillips Counties and the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy's Indian Reservations.

However, the very things that seem to make Lewistown an unusual choice for VACOM’s U.S. headquarters that made it appealing to the family focused company: its small-town atmosphere.

“We’re a family business, and in Germany we’re a Mittelstandt (a mid-sized family-owned firm), Bergner told Forbes. “For us, it’s not just about producing. It’s about working together, educating, and making a better life. In Montana there’s enough space for growing. Lewistown is a wonderful place to raise a family.”

David Murray

Great Falls Tribune

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In 2001, a group of community-minded volunteers founded Snowy Mountain Development Corporation (SMDC) as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to build community and economic capital in a six-county area comprised of Fergus, Judith Basin, Wheatland, Petroleum, Musselshell and Golden Valley Counties situated at the geographical heart of the State of Montana.

Local, state, and federal governments provide funding for SMDC to carry out this mission. Notably, the US Economic Development Administration recognizes SMDC as an Economic Development District and the State of Montana recognizes SMDC as a Certified Regional Development Corporation. With these designations is funding to support SMDC’s partnerships with local governments, community organizations, businesses and entrepreneurs to implement key community and economic development projects.

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