OUR
SERVICE CENTERS
Providing a suite of professional services and tailored solutions for your development-related challenges and opportunities.
EnVISION
CENTER
Snowy Mountain Development Corporation is the first and only economic development agency in the United States designated by US HUD as an EnVision Center.
US HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson's EnVision Center demonstration initiative is founded on the idea that every community provide ample access to services and opportunities to develop self-sufficiency from four fundamental pillars: economic empowerment; educational advancement; health and wellness; and character and leadership. Toward this end, Secretary Carson selects organizations throughout the Nation in which to house these services or provide information and referral to these services within the local community.
Through Secretary Carson's initiative, we provide a centralized hub of resources and support to help you excel.
Together with our Federal Partners, we provide leadership and resources to support Economic Empowerment by:
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Improving workforce housing;
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Cleaning up contaminated properties and redeveloping them to better serve our communities;
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Encouraging economic stability, growth and diversification through technical expertise;
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Providing financial literacy and credit-building opportunities;
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Providing access to capital; and
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Creating and retaining high-paying jobs.
We provide leadership and resources to support Educational Advancement by:
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Offering leadership training;
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Providing and developing customized educational programs to respond to local needs; and
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Providing HUD-Certified Homebuyer and Budgeting educational opportunities.
We provide leadership and resources to support Health and Wellness by:
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Improving water, sewer and transportation infrastructure;
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Supporting Quality of Life services;
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Providing desirable recreational opportunities; and
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Improving basic health, safety and educational infrastructure and services.
We provide leadership and resources to support Character and Leadership by:
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Preserving historic, geographic and cultural treasures;
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Providing leadership training for public servants new to public service;
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Providing leadership development for women who lead; and
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Improving communications to accomplish common goals.
This is made possible in collaboration with our Federal partners:
BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT
CENTER
PROCUREMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER
We provide the technical expertise, tools and resources
you need to start or expand your business.
We can help you with your:
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Business Plan
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Business Structure
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Finances
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Marketing and Other Business Strategies
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Feasibility Studies
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Accounting Assistance
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Licenses and Permits
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Contractor Registration
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Business Resources
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Loan Programs
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Planning Grants
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Incumbent Worker Training Grants
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Business Expansion Grants
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Small Business Workshops
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Individual Training Sessions
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Site Visits
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Real Estate Broker Outreach
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Site Selection Assistance
SMDC hosts a satellite Procurement Technical Assistance Center through which we provide free, timely advice on how to sell your products and services to the government. We can help you:
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Determine your suitability for government contracting
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Secure necessary registrations
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Identify bid opportunities
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Find subcontracting opportunities
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Certify as a veteran-owned business
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Apply for 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB and other small business certifications
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Respond to bid proposals
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Research procurement histories
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Review contract Terms & Conditions
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Understand government contract performance requirements
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Network and business development
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Submit invoices and other post-award support
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Business Plan
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Business Structure/Legal Entity Determination
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Finances
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Marketing and Other Business Strategies
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Feasibility Studies
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Accounting Assistance
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Licenses and Permits
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Contractor Registration
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Business Resources
CENTER FOR STRATEGIC
DEVELOPMENT
Community Development
We provide technical assistance for local
government entities and non-profit organizations
to help them build stronger, more resilient rural
communities. We promote transparency,
accountability and citizen engagement. We can help you
understand, develop and implement:
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Special Districts and Tax Free Zones
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Urban Renewal Plans
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Comprehensive Development Plans
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Feasibility and Market Studies
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Growth Policies
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Capital Improvement Plans
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Concept Development Plans
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Public Private Partnerships
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Coalition and Capacity Building
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Investment Cooperatives
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Community Engagement and Mobilization
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Neighborhood Task Forces
Economic Development
We help communities create and retain good paying jobs, encourage entrepreneurship, attract new business, expand and diversify the local and regional tax base and improve the overall business climate. We promote open, free competition, innovation, productivity and efficiency. We can help you understand and access:
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Tax Credits, Abatements and Deferrals
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Infrastructure Investments
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Fee Waivers
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Labor Incentives and Training Grants
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Low- and No-Interest Loans
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Utility Discounts and Rebates
Fund Development
We help communities and developers identify and layer multiple funding mechanisms to support key community, economic, and real estate development projects. We promote fiscal stewardship, public-private partnerships, and responsible investments. We can help you understand and apply for:
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Federal, State and Local Grant Programs
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Foundation Grants
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Tax Increment Finance Revenue
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Housing Tax Credits
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New Markets Tax Credits
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EB-5 Equity
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Gap Financing
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Opportunity Zone Funds
Redevelopment
We help local governments and private property owners
access funding to assess and clean up contaminated
properties to ready them for redevelopment.
We promote optimum land use,
maximum productivity and smart growth.
We can help you access:
US EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Funds
Phase I and Phase II US EPA Assessment Grant Funds
US EPA Targeted Brownfields Assessments (EPA TBA)
MT DEQ Targeted Brownfields Assessments (DEQ TBA)
LEADERSHIP, EDUCATION AND TRAINING
CENTER
We provide leadership training for public servants who are new to public service.
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Leadership Central Montana
We provide leadership development for women who lead.
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Women Lead Central Montana
We provide business training workshops for entrepreneurs and small business owners on the many aspects of small business ownership.
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In 2019, SMDC staff launched its first free, six-part training series for small business owners. Topics covered included pricing strategies, business planning, marketing, government contracting, market and industry analysis and when to engage your BAIL team (banker, accountant, insurance agent and lawyer).
We provide custom train-the-trainer programs.
We collaborate with industry leaders to support workforce development programs such as the Accelerate Montana Rapid Training Program. Please visit acceleratemt.com to learn more about it.
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Funding for Rapid Training Programs is available. Contact Dani by email at: dani.buehler@mso.umt.edu to learn how to apply for it.
As a HUD Certified Counseling Agency, SMDC provides educational seminars for first-time homebuyers to ready them for the responsibilities of homeownership. Class topics include:
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Determining what you can afford
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Distinguishing between different kinds of loans
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Closing your loan--how much it will cost
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Working with a real estate professional
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Understanding home inspections and appraisals
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Evaluating the pros and cons of homeownership
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Discovering the impact of your credit score and learning how to improve it
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Identifying special financing programs
Classes are eight hours and open to the public. They are offered every other month and run Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday nights from 5:30 - 8:30 pm. Dinners are provided. The in-person class costs $50/household for registration. All online sessions require a one-hour follow-up counseling session and cost $75/household (with coupon code).
Call 406-535-2591 to sign up! Registration fees are non-refundable.
Each person who successfully completes the entire course is provided with a certificate that is required for down payment assistance and other lending programs for first-time homebuyers.
2022 Schedule:
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November 14-16
2023 Schedule:
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January 9-11
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March 13-15
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May 15 -17
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Jul 10 - 12
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Sept 11-13
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Nov 13 - 15
HOMEBUYER CLASSES ARE NOW OFFERED BOTH IN-PERSON AND ONLINE. CALL US FOR DETAILS!
CLICK BELOW TO REGISTER OR REQUEST INFORMATION
