Tester Secures Economic Development Resources to Create Jobs in Central Montana

Resources Will Support Fergus, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, Musselshell, Petroleum & Wheatland Counties

(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced $70,000 to help attract new businesses and create jobs across central Montana.

“Investing in job creation has the highest rate of return, not only for the folks who get a paycheck, but for the country and community as a whole,” said Tester. “By developing a comprehensive plan to strengthen the economy in central Montana, we can ensure that future generations will be able to make a good living and proudly call rural Montana home.”

The funding comes from the Economic Development Administration and has been awarded to the Snowy Mountain Development Corporation, which aims to bring together folks from both the public and private sectors to create a comprehensive plan for economic development across Fergus, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, Musselshell, Petroleum, and Wheatland Counties.

“This grant serves as the base funding for Snowy Mountain Development Corporation and helps us create jobs and spur economic growth in the 6 counties we serve in central Montana,” said Kathie Bailey, Executive Director of Snowy Mountain Development Corporation. “This funding is the catalyst for all of the economic development projects and business technical assistance we provide in Lewistown and the surrounding area. We appreciate Senator Tester’s support.”

In addition to creating a comprehensive plan for economic development in central Montana, Snowy Mountain Development Corporation is currently working with local partners to redevelop nine historic properties in Roundup, Lewistown & Lavina. Redeveloping these properties will create jobs for existing businesses in these communities and make these towns a destination for new businesses to set up shop.

Tester has been a champion for job creation and business development throughout the state, having launched his #EmployMT initiative back in January and hosted 17 Small Business Opportunity Workshops over the last 10 years.

In fact, rural business development is one of the major reasons Tester opposes President Trump’s proposed budget, which would eliminate both the Economic Development Administration and the USDA’s Rural Business and Cooperative Service.