Highlights of what we’ve checked off in the last month.
January 2026
We’ve scheduled some upcoming Low-cost Small Business Training:
a. Cybersecurity with Jay Doyle: January 27, 2026 9:30am – 2pm on the second floor of the Thornton Building in Butte.
b. Create Your Ideal Employee: Grow and Stabilize your Workforce with Chandler Emett from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry and several speakers from the community: February 25, 2026 10:30am – 2pm at Butte Job Service.
We’re ramping up outreach once again for our Tourism Revolving Loan Fund program. Through supporting Tourism development and enhancement, the program will: (a) create good-paying jobs for Montana residents; (b) promote long-term, stable economic growth in Montana’s Tourism economy; (c) retain or expand existing Tourism-related businesses; (d) provide a better life for future generations through greater economic growth and prosperity in Montana; and (e) encourage workforce development in Montana’s Tourism economy. Contact Carrie Kay for more information. [email protected]
And speaking of outreach, we’ve also been spreading the word about C-PACE,Commercial Property-Assessed Capital Enhancements, which is a financing tool to help commercial building owners pay for permanent energy and water efficiency, renewable energy and resiliency improvements secured by a tax assessment on the property. Learn more here: https://commerce.mt.gov/Business/Programs-and-Services/CPACE/
Our 406 Reasons to Eat Local Survey garnered 400+ responses! Results will be compiled near the end of this month; released to the public; and posted on our social media channels.
A Department of Housing and Urban Development First-Time Homebuyer class will be held in Butte on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Register at: https://www.headwatersrcd.org/eventstrainings
Completed a BLDC-branded Digital Marketing Guide for interested clients. This resource will help new businesses properly set up their basic digital presence: Google profile page, website, and social media. With these tips and tricks a business will increase their Google score which in turn prioritizes them in searches. It will also save them from expensive SEO services in the future.
In Brownfields news, we are preparing to award the hazardous materials abatement and window restoration contract for the Phoenix Building, marking a major step toward sealing the building envelope and restoring its historic façade. The project includes SHPO-approved, historically appropriate window improvements along Park and Dakota Streets that will enhance energy performance while preserving the building’s character.
Our Small Business Development Center (SBDC) currently has 27 active Butte clients. Over the holidays, our advisors had ten meetings with nine local clients, and this month, two more clients completed their business plans. We’ve also got 5 clients who’ve just submitted their business plans to a bank.
Our 5-Year Strategic Plan has been completed, and will be rolled out to our members and the public over the next 30 days. In addition, our board will hold a mini-retreat on Thursday, January 29, to review the final plan as a group. We’re looking forward to the exciting work that’s to come! Link to the plan summary: https://www.bldc.net/plan-summary
We’re excited to welcome USDA reps on Thursday, January 15, to talk about our loan programs and grant opportunities on the horizon.
