Wondering what we do at Beartooth RC&D?
Click on the picture below for a 2-minute rundown.
Primary Focus Areas
Core services to constituents in our service region include needs assessment, planning, and development of business projects.
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We deliver:
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Business development and financial planning assistance
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Direct business lending through the Revolving Loan Fund
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Specialized agricultural business planning and development
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Regional and local community and economic development planning and facilitation
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Assistance to municipalities and counties with improvement of public services, infrastructure and facilities
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These services and areas of emphasis evolve over time depending on available funding sources and local needs. Due to similar programs and delivery in our larger municipality by a partner organization, we focus on projects in rural and underserved areas.
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Food and Ag Program and Cooperative Development Center
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Beartooth is home to one of nine Food and Ag Development Centers (FADCs) located across Montana. The centers help producers innovate and grow businesses that produce and commercialize food, agriculture, and renewable energy products and processes - creating wealth and jobs in our communities and on our farms and ranches. The centers support economic development by ensuring that more of the state's food, agriculture and energy dollars circulate in Montana. The program provides training, coaching and technical assistance. Joel Bertolino is the Food and Ag Director.
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Revolving Loan Fund
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The purpose of the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) is to encourage and accelerate economic development activities in the region. The role of the RLF is to provide gap financing to businesses who would find it difficult to meet conventional underwriting standards. Job creation is the primary goal, especially by providing employment to those in low and moderate income categories. The RLF is not an alternative to private lenders or equity capital, as most loans are a combination of all three. Nan Knight is the Finance Director.
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Beartooth serves the counties of Big Horn, Carbon, Stillwater, Sweet Grass and Yellowstone as a Certified Regional Development Corporation (CRDC) and as a federally-designated Economic Development District (EDD). We also work closely with local economic development authorities and organizations in order to leverage the best possible options for communities, nonprofits and private businesses in the region. We can assist clients with project development, project planning, and grant writing as available.
Gaurav Thakur is the program Director.
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Special Projects
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Beartooth has consistently been involved with conservation-based projects, such as the Fuels Reduction Program, and the Forest in Focus Program as well as facilitation of the Custer-Gallatin Working Group. These projects and programs generally fall under the Special Projects category where we provide technical assistance, fiscal agent capacity, or other services as the need arises.