The Certified Regional Development Corporations program supports a regional approach to economic development, facilitating an efficient delivery of economic development programs by supporting regional capacity.
The CRDC program supports each of the CRDCs with annual funding for economic development services supporting their region, including personnel and operating expenses, and any other expenses deemed necessary to maintain the organization’s certification as a CRDC.
A CRDC must be a private, nonprofit corporation and apply for certification through a competitive state Request for Proposal process. Current CRDC contracts expire on December 31, 2027.
CRDCs:
- Identify the priority needs of local communities and facilitate local strategic planning to develop local economies. CRDCs foster collaboration and bring elected officials, business leaders and stakeholders together to prepare and implement regional development strategies.
- Are required to have a wide-based support from each county and community, including local development organizations, and help local officials, communities and businesses assess, plan and facilitate action within their regions.
- Leverage financial resources from a variety of sectors that include government (federal, state, county and local), the private sector, philanthropic community and academia to expand their region’s economy.
About the CRDCs:
The CRDC program was created by the 2003 Montana Legislature to encourage a regional approach to economic development that facilitates the efficient delivery of economic development programs by supporting regional capacity. MCA 90-1-116 provides additional information and definitions regarding the CRDC program.
The state adopted CRDC rules (Administrative Rules of Montana, Sections 8.99.301 through 8.99.306) addressing implementation of the program. The rules define the CRDC certification process, the method of quarterly distribution of assistance grants, allowable uses for assistance grants, quarterly reporting requirements and criteria for determining non-compliance and de-certification.
Click on a link below to find contact information for a CRDC near you:
Bear Paw Development Corporation
300 2nd Ave.
Havre, MT 59501-0170
Beartooth RC&D
128 South Main St.
P.O. Box 180
Joliet, MT 59041-0180
Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation
P.O. Box 321
Baker, MT 59313
Great Northern Development Corporation
233 Cascade St.
Wolf Point, MT 59201-1409
Headwaters RC&D
Thornton Building
65 East Broadway, 5th Floor
Butte, MT 59701-9305
Lake County Community Development Corporation
dba Mission West Community Development Partners
407 Main St. SW
P.O. Box 128
Ronan, MT 59864-0128
Montana Business Assistance Connection, Inc.
225 Cruse Ave., Suite D
Helena, MT 59601-5011
Prospera Business Network
865 Technology Blvd., Suite A
Bozeman, MT 59718
Snowy Mountain Development Corporation
507 West Main St.
Lewistown, MT 59457
Southeastern MT Development Corporation
6200 Main St.
P.O. Box 1935
Colstrip, MT 59323-1935
