Tester Announces Nearly $200,000 Investment in Lake County Community Development Corporation in Ronan

Funding to establish an economic development planning framework to bring jobs to the region

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced $175,000 in Economic Development Administration (EDA) funding for Lake County Community Development Corporation in Ronan, to establish an economic development planning process, that will support private capital investment in the region and create jobs in Lake County and on the Flathead Reservation.

“As Montana’s economy continues to grow, it’s critical that our rural communities receive the resources necessary to attract a talented workforce and create good paying jobs,” said Tester. “This funding will bring the private and public sectors together to create new opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the region to thrive.”

The EDA investment is a part of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the region—including Lake, Sanders, and Mineral Counties—overseen by the Lake County Development Corporation. The CEDS process brings together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic development roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.

“This investment from the Economic Development Administration opens the door to a number opportunities for the region ranging from innovation, to agriculture and broadband,” said Brenna Fulks, Community & Economic Development Director for the Mission West Community Development Partners in Ronan.

As a longtime member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Tester has been a fierce advocate for economic development funding in rural Montana. In April Tester secured $56,234,176 for Montana small businesses through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) in the American Rescue Plan which has supported business financing through state and Tribal programs. His bipartisan infrastructure package also recently passed the Senate which will better connect the state, make it easier to do business, and create good paying jobs throughout Montana.