What's Happening at SMDC?

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant

They assists currently operational meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities in obtaining either a Federal Grant of Inspection under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) or the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA); or to operate as a State-inspected facility that is compliant with FIMA of PPIA under a respective  Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program.

Click here for more information!

CENTER FOR STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT ∙ BROWNFIELDS

On March 18th SMDC applied for supplemental Brownfields funding and hope to be successful, so we may further redevelop and abate properties!

The Teslow grain elevator which is located in the heart of the commercial area of Livingston, served as a shipment point for agricultural production in the area for over 100 years! It was in a severe windstorm of 2016 that sparked it’s future for redevelopment. The damage from the storm brought on plans for demolition. Citizens of the community acted quickly to preserve the building that was crucial to their history rallying to save Teslow. After successfully halting the planned demolition, the Montana Preservation Alliance hired the demolition team to become the construction crew that would make repairs. The group purchased the grand old building 210 years after it was built, then organized as the Teslow Preservation Group, a 501(c)(3). Their mission being to keep this historic grain elevator standing and preserve its increasingly rare architecture to reintegrate the building into the community.

A condition assessment and feasibility study was conducted to evaluate the needs of the structure and its suitability for reuse, to identify potential reuse concepts, and to provide interested parties the information needed to encourage new investment and preservation of this iconic structure so important in the history of the community. The Teslow Grain Elevator presents space with opportunities for reuse in a variety of ways, both old and new. Discussions with current owners, research into comparable properties and projects, and consultation with the preceding studies suggest a Range of Alternatives, including

• Business Concept, Craft Manufacturing: Beer, Distillery, Cider

• Business Concept, Agricultural: Vertical Gardening, Storage

• Business Concept, Retail/Studios: Art Production, Film or Music Recording Studios, Live-Work Space

• Business Concept, Recreation & Sports Center

The reuse concepts above all hold possibilities for a building like the Teslow Elevator. A mixed use concept combining some of these uses would diversify the business model and potentially, the range of financial incentives available for redevelopment. In a town with limited centralized real estate, which relies heavily on tourism to drive its economy, the elevator is an economic asset in a prime location.

This project began as a Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA) where SMDC conducted a Phase I and Phase II. The results confirmed the presences of contaminants of concern (COC’s) that would need to be properly addressed prior to the building being reused. Applying for cleanup for the program in 2019, with all clean up being completed in 2021. This elevator sold promptly after cleanup and is in the process of redevelopment. We are excited to help preserve an important part of history and see what’s next for this historic grain elevator!

Leadership, Education & Training Center

Our next First Time Homebuyer Class is May 9-11. If you want to attend a Homebuyer Education class, but are unable there is also an online option!

Register today, so you may equip yourself with all the necessary tools and knowledge in the home purchasing process!

Click the Homebuyer at the top corner for more! 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

On April 4th, 2022, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) replaced DUNS numbers. This update and the correlated changes to SAM.gov has caused multiple issues for those renewing or creating SAM registrations. Including registrations taking weeks to get updated and active additional steps to verify your business. Please be aware of these issues and reach out to one of our Government Contracting Advisors if you run into complications and we can help you work through them.

Please contact Josy at 406-535-2591! 

CLICK HERE TO VISIT SAM.GOV 

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

SMDC is a state Certified Regional Development Corporation and federally designated Economic Development District serving the six-county area of Judith Basin, Fergus, Petroleum, Wheatland, Golden Valley and Musselshell Counties. Our mission is to build economic and community capital across Central Montana. We are currently updating our 5 year planning documents known as the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). 

The CEDS is a locally-based, regionally-driven economic development planning process and document that creates the space for our region to identify its strengths and weaknesses and brings together a diverse set of partners to generate good jobs, diversify the economy, and spur economic growth. Our goal for the planning process is to identify locally-grown strategies that will guide regional economic development, encourage partnerships and collaboration, and improve economic outcomes and overall quality of life for our Central Montana region.   

Click here to complete the CEDS Survey