November 29th, 2007 06:59pm
julie foster
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 Director
274 Old Corvallis Road
Suite A
Hamilton, MT 59840
(406) 375-9416
Call the RCEDA Office at 406.375.9416 or email julie@rceda.org for additional information
May 6th, 2009 08:24am
julie foster
On May 4th, a public meeting for the land owners of a proposed Urban Renewal Tax Increment Finance District located in the Old Corvallis Road area was held in Hamilton. The power point presentation and map are available through the links in this post.
An Urban Renewal District is a mechanism for providing needed infrastructure to the area and does not restrict the use of private property.
Types of Improvements that could be Undertaken in the proposed District
Transportation Related Improvements
Roads (Old Corvallis Road, Fairgrounds Road (curbs, gutters and storm sewers)
Non-Motorized Facilities (bicycle and pedestrian trails) – emphasizing connectivity to the downtown
Water Related Improvements (storage and transmission)
Sewer Related Improvements (interceptors, waste water treatment plant upgrades)
Park Development
Lighting
Communication – Internet Services
Hamilton Urban Renewal Program Power Point
Hamilton Urban Renewal Map of Proposed Area.
March 9th, 2009 12:25pm
julie foster
International pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline is supporting a local Montana effort to start a business incubator, the Ravalli Entreprenuership Center, to foster the Bitterroot Valley’s fledgling biotech industry.
“We’ll be assisting the RCEDA with vetting applicants and assessing proposals to make them more solid, to make sure they have rigorous review and a solid business plan,” said Michael Covarrubias, site director of GSK’s Hamilton operation. “We expect that most of them will need money. The RCEDA can introduce them to investors, and our hope is that some could be funded.”
For Julie Foster, head of the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority, Covarrubias’ aid — beginning with his service as an advisor to the nonprofit’s board of directors — gives a tremendous leg up to her effort to get the $3.2 million Ravalli Entrepreneurship Center from drawing board to reality.
RCEDA is accepting client/tenants now for the 10,000-square-foot facility to be completed in the early fall of 2009.
November 21st, 2008 12:31pm
julie foster
RCEDA would like to thank the City of Hamilton for their continued support to RCEDA as we provide the tools entrepreneurs and small business needs to create, expand, and maintain strong, healthy companies with good paying jobs in Ravalli County and the City of Hamilton.
November 18th, 2008 02:49pm
julie foster
December 9, from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM a seminar on “Benefits You Can Afford to Give” will be sponsored by the Bitterroot Job Service Workforce Center (JSEC). Benefit plans and the positive impact they have on your business and employees will be discussed along with many other topics. Please see the flyer for more details. Speakers are Jane Foster with Edward Jones and Adam Sangster with Apex Human Resource.
During the Ravalli Business And Expansion (BEAR) meetings with local business owners our teams always hear about the concern and frustration the businesses have in tyring to put benefit plans together for their employees. Benefits are a key component of attracting and keeping quality employees. Many businesses in Ravalli County have managed to put plans in place while others still struggle. If you have an existing benefit package you may find ways to reduce cost or increase quality; if you do not yet have that plan in place this seminar will be an excellent and inexpensive way to learn more.
November 17th, 2008 10:33am
julie foster
The Commissioner of Higher Education recommends that the Bitterroot Community College be denied. In a draft 184 page report of the Bitterroot Valley Community College (BVCC) District Proposal ITEM 141-104-R1108 | OCHE Analysis of Proposed Bitterroot Valley Community College the Commissioner’s section 2.4 Conclusion reads in part:
It is important to recognize that the trustees-elect in Ravalli County have had to engage in these planning activities without two critical assets: the expertise of an administrative team of community college professionals directed to do this work and a budget to support environmental scanning and data-driven planning. Given the voluminous and detailed documents prepared by BVCC-E on this and a number of issues, it is not a lack of dedication or effort, but a lack of resources, that no doubt accounts for the
shortcomings in their assessments of need and demand. At this point, however, both the needs assessments and the enrollment projections fail to give the confidence and clarity needed for solid planning at the community level and for wise investment at the state level. These deficiencies can be remedied but not within the timeline required to inform the regents’ recommendation and probably not within the timeline required for a Fall 2009 start-up of the proposed new community college.
On Thursday, November 20, 2008 at The University of Montana-Missoula, University Center Ballroom, 3rd Floor University Center, beginning at 9:00 AM the report will be presented. Beginning at 10:15 AM public comment will be taken.
November 11th, 2008 10:21am
julie foster
RCEDA would like to thank Missoula Federal Credit Union for their continued support to RCEDA as we provide the tools entrepreneurs and small business needs to create, expand, and maintain strong, healthy companies with good paying jobs in Ravalli County.
October 31st, 2008 01:16pm
julie foster
The Ravalli County Economic Development Authority (RCEDA) is currently requesting proposals from qualified contractors, architects, or engineers that will include cost and schedule, for the design and construction of the Ravalli Entrepreneurship Center (REC) and the OCR III Lift Station. View Advertisement
October 31st, 2008 01:06pm
julie foster
The newly formed Ravalli Entrpreneurship Center (REC) Advisory Group has met twice. The group is chaired by Paul Weese (Discover Montana). Group members are Monte Drake (First Interstate Bank), Chad DeLong (Missoula Area Economic Development Corp), Ross Rademacher (Maverick Group), Michael Covarrubias (GlaxoSmithKline), John Bartos (Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital), Peter Van Tuyn (Bessenyey & Van Tuyn Law), and Lonnie Bookbinder.
The REC Advisory Group’s first goal is to reach out to potential tenants for the Entrepreneurship Center. The 10,000 square foot facility’s projected opening is fall of 2009.
The REC will have a strong mentoring program made possible by the unique bio-science businesses and successfull entrepreneurs in the Bitterroot Valley. Because of the incredible talent that the REC is fortunate to recieve participation and expertise from we look forward to high demand for space and service. If you have an interest in the REC, either as a customer or mentor/advisor please connect with someone on the REC Advisory Group or RCEDA Board.
October 31st, 2008 12:18pm
julie foster
RCEDA would like to thank First Security Bank for their continued support to RCEDA as we provide the tools entrepreneurs and small business needs to create, expand, and maintain strong, healthy companies with good paying jobs in Ravalli County.
Previous Posts