Development News for Butte, Montana

BLC Director Provides Comprehensive Economic Development Update

Kelly Sullivan from BLC provided an update on various economic development activities. This included welcoming a new loan officer, Mike Archer, and discussing meetings with a Japanese bioscience company and representatives from the Department of Commerce. Updates were also given on visits to Montana Precision Products Peak Systems and Utrs, with plans for follow-up information gathering. The team toured the old Bob and Joe's warehouse, a 27,000 sq ft facility with office space. A visit from USDA Boseman office team discussed intermediary relending programs, revolving loan funds, grant opportunities, and loan guarantee programs, and also included a visit to Mike Papathous's State Farm location to view his expansion, which was partly a result of a USDA marketing grant. The SEB data center project is on hold. The team is working on a strategic plan, including new employee handbooks and planning for employee roundtables. A feasibility study for a potential incubator or accelerator in Butte is underway, in collaboration with Montana Tech and Butte Silver Bow. They also met with an Economic Development Administration regional representative regarding a public works and economic adjustment assistance grant, for which they are on the verge of eligibility. Sullivan also attended training on the ASAP drawdown program for brownfields and partnership planning due to federal program changes. A public meeting for the Basin Creek Caretakers Cottage brownfields project is scheduled for July 7th, with a 30-day public comment period opening this Sunday. A membership drive is also launching. Rural business development grant applications for two Butte healthcare businesses are due June 30th, intended to cover preliminary architectural or engineering documents.