RCEDA
RAVALLI COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Our Mission
Aug 13th
The Ravalli County Economic Development Authority (RCEDA) is a legal Port Authority entity under Montana Code, and a 501 (c)(3) non-profit designated organization.
The RCEDA will, either alone or in cooperation with others, enhance the Bitterroot Valley by securing funding for programs and facilities development from public and private sources.
RCEDA will support growth of existing companies and nurture new company formation, operate business incubation and entrepreneurial support services. RCEDA will work to expand early-stage business capital resources for young companies, and help to create the infrastructure for a “knowledge-based community”.
Ravalli County Economic Development Authority Ravalli Entrepreneurship Center Julie Foster, Executive More >
County modifies revolving loan program
Aug 13th
Ravalli Republic August 13, 2010 by Jeff Schmerker
Currently, the county’s $700,000 revolving loan fund administered by county commissioners and the economic development authority is meant for Ravalli County businesses only.
But what if, for example, a meat processing plant was proposed for Lolo – and Bitterroot ranchers were to be the main supplier?
County commissioners on Thursday modified rules to the revolving loan fund so that they meet new statutory requirements. The county is in a certified regional development corporation with Missoula County and now each county can make loans to businesses in the other.
As before, all loans must be approved by More >
More business classes offered at Entrepreneurship Center
Jul 29th
In March of this year RCEDA started “building Bitterroot business” with its first session of Business Basics classes. The classes have been very popular and the RCEDA is suggesting people sign up for the August classes early to reserve a space.
The classes include a superior group of professionals including a local marketing expert, CPA, attorney, and a bank branch manager. The course provides well over $1,000 worth of private consulting.
RCEDA also has engaged the support of its two tenants in the Ravalli Entrepreneurship Center: the Bitterroot Job Service and the Bitterroot College Program of the University of Montana.
The classes include More >
Baucus talks economy at Hamilton stop
Jul 8th
Ravalli Republic July 7, 2010 by Jeff Schmerker
Sen. Max Baucus told a group of county residents Tuesday that erasing federal government deficits would likely be done by balancing spending reductions with tax raises.
Additionally, Baucus told a group of about 40 gathered at the Ravalli County Entrepreneurship Center, he’d back a series of changes to tax law to benefit small businesses and self-employed individuals through payroll deductions and speedier property devaluations. | MORE > link to full Ravalli Republic article |
Lawmakers make stops in Hamilton
Jul 7th
Ravalli Republic July 7, 2010 by Perry Backus
Ravalli County residents will have a couple of opportunities to talk with Montana’s congressional delegation this week.
U.S. Sen. Max Baucus will hold a community meeting today in Hamilton to discuss economic development in the Bitterroot Valley.
On Thursday, Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg will host a general listening session at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital in Hamilton.
Baucus’ meeting will start at 1:30 p.m. at the Ravalli County Economic Development Office located at 274 Old Corvallis Road in Hamilton. Julie Foster, executive director of the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority, said this will be Baucus’ first More >
Popular business classes to continue
Apr 7th
April 7, 2010
The RCEDA has had a tremendous response to its Building Bitterroot Business classes held at the Ravalli Entrepreneurship Center (REC).
“All the classes were about at capacity” reports John Schneeberger, REC Facility Director. “The surveys filled out by the participants were also very favorable.”
The Building Bitterroot Business classes were started in response to a need identified by the RCEDA for basic business planning and technical assistance. The Ravalli County EDA was able to offer these classes with help from a Rural Business Opportunity Grant provided by the USDA Rural Development program administered out of Missoula.
“We’ve been trying to get More >
Fabrication and Stamping Company Receives Stamp of Approval
Mar 18th
Montana Manufacturing Center University Technical Assistance Program – Forward Focus – www.mtmanufacturingcenter.com – Winter 2010
Key Points
Marketplace is changing; more expectations of recognized quality management systems to attract business. Don’t go it alone; business resources are available to assist small business to reach crucial goals. Overnight shipping services make doing business possible from rural America.
By Deborah Nash, MMEC
Randy and Bonnie Jones with ISO Certificate –the result of much hard work and staff commitment at BTM.
With the mark of quality now officially stamped on Bitterroot Tool and Machine, LLC, (BTM) www.bitterroottoolandmachine.com as a result of achieving ISO 9001:2008 quality management systems registration More >
Entrepreneurship Center holds grand opening
Jan 27th
Bitterroot Star March 27, 2010 By Michael Howell
Although the doors of the Ravalli Entrepreneurship Center have been open for a while a grand opening ceremony was held last week to celebrate the new facility.
The 10,000-square-foot facility, located north of Hamilton on Old Corvallis Road, was designed by local architect Lee Kierig and sits on four acres of land donated by the Ravalli County Council on Aging. The $1.5 million building is not only the home of the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority, it also houses the Bitterroot Community College extension of the University of Montana and the Job Service. The More >
Entrepreneurship Center officially opens
Jan 26th
Ravalli Republic January 26, 2010 by Jeff Schmerker
Call it official — the Ravalli County Entrepreneurship Center is now open for business.
Officials, supporters and clients turned out last week to mark the occasion with speeches, tours and snacks.
Opening of the $3.4 million center marks the end of a multi-year effort to bring a small business incubator to the county. One tenant – Falcon Asset Management – is ready to move in and the county hopes that other businesses will use the center as a launching pad.
“Even in the best of times we need to be building for the future,” said More >
RCEDA ready to offer small business loans
Jan 6th
Ravalli Republic January 6, 2010 by Jeff Schmerker
While the county’s microloan program is about to begin operations, so is another loan system designed to boost small business owners.
The Ravalli County Economic Development Authority has $600,000 in U.S. Department of Agriculture loans to issue. The loans are part of USDA’s intermediary relending program.
While $335,000 of the money available is from USDA, another $165,000 comes from the Montana Board of Investments and a further $100,000 from the Ravalli County federal stimulus program.
“We have $600,000 ready to lend out,” said Julie Foster, director of the economic development authority. Whereas microloans are being targeted More >
Recent Comments