Agency receives $1M for business development

RONAN – An historic series of grants amounting to more than $1 million will allow a local agency to expand its services to many more farmers, ranchers, business owners and produce consumers in Lake, Sanders and Mineral counties.

And Lake County Community Development Corporation officials believe another big grant is on the way.

The corporation recently received a $750,000 federal treasury grant designated to assist new or small businesses that might not qualify for commercial financing, incoming Executive Director Gypsy Ray said.

“These grants will take us to the next level,” she said. “They allow us to serve many more businesses and clients and help expand the local economy.”

The corporation, a 501c3, has a lending program that provides loans up to $150,000 to purchase equipment, real estate or other fixed assets.

“The good news is, we have money to loan,” said corporation Loan Portfolio Manager John Winegart. “The bad news is, we have money to loan. We need clients. Businesses that are expanding or starting up can take advantage of our programs.”

He even has programs for deferred maintenance projects.

The grants swell the corporation’s lending portfolio to more than $4 million, he said.

Coupled with business workshops and training, the corporation can help businesses open and stay open, he said.

Business workshop grant

The USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program recently awarded the corporation a matching grant of $21,777 for business-oriented workshops, presented in Ronan over the next several months.

These workshops are designed to provide introductory to advanced business skills with classes such as, Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher and PowerPoint; Marketing, Social Media , Business Plans, QuickBooks, Cash Flows, Concept to Consumer for food businesses, and Profit Mastery.

Food co-op grant

The corporation will receive a USDA Rural Cooperative Development Grant $191,030. The corporation, a rural cooperative development center for 15 years, developed a nationally recognized program for cooperative food system development, rural enterprise assistance, and educational program offerings, Ray said.

“The cooperative development program is an integral piece of the work we do in developing the rural western Montana economy,” Ray said.

Over the past five years, the Cooperative Development Program assisted in the formation of 26 cooperatives and mutually-owned businesses.

“We were the first to recognize agriculture as a major part of our economy,” Ray said. “We are committed to continuing to offer the services that lead to economic development.”

The corporation helps farmers and ranchers add value to their crops and livestock and adhere to health and safety standards, she said.

Hospital food grant

The corporation received a two-year, $99,986 USDA Local Food Promotion Grant to help the Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center to work with area hospitals to increase patient and staff consumption of regionally produced fruits and vegetables.

The grant will help hospitals develop value-added products for season extension. By adding value to regional produce, hospitals can serve local food all year long, which will expand opportunities for area farmers and ranchers, Ray said.

Specialty crop grant

LCCDC received a three-year USDA Specialty Crop Grant to support the center in providing technical resources to specialty crop producers in Montana. The project will target Food HUBs of specialty crop producers, specifically vegetable and fruit producers and provide training and technical assistance for developing and implementing plans that will pass USDA audits.

The corporation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and guided by an Advisory Board of local development corporations, and other community groups, local governments, business sectors and citizens.

The corporation’s offices are in Ronan. The phone number is 676-5901. The website is www.lakecountycdc.org.