Strategic plan sets stage for federal funding
Kickoff meeting set for March 15
It's time to update Flathead County's economic development road map.
Every five years the U.S. Economic Development Administration requires that communities update or develop new comprehensive economic development strategies. It's the key ingredient needed for cities, the county and economic development groups to access government funding.
"If you're applying for a Community Development Block Grant or EDA money - anything with federal funding - you're required to show a comprehensive economic development strategy and how projects are referenced in that plan," said Liz Marchi, president of Montana West Economic Development.
"This includes hospitals, Forest Service, housing, economic development, arts, infrastructure, the whole gamut," Marchi said, "any place where federal dollars might go."
An organizational meeting is planned from 4 to 6 p.m. March 15 at the Outlaw Inn in Kalispell. The process will be explained and subcommittees will be set up for specific areas of interest. Interested participants may serve on subcommittees even if they can't attend the March 15 meeting.
Subcommittees will work on their designated topics through the end of April, and a final community meeting in early May will outline findings and recommendations. At that point, there will be one more opportunity for public comment.
"We're building on existing efforts; we're not re-inventing the wheel," said Lil Dupree, an agency development specialist for Northwest Montana Human Resources.
Dupree is taking a leadership role as facilitator of the plan on behalf of Montana West Economic Development.
The 2002 strategy plan for Flathead County was one of the most comprehensive documents ever assembled locally, Marchi said. More than 200 community members participated.
This time around, participants will be able to fill out an online survey at www.dobusinessinmontana.com.
In addition to an overall steering committee, the 2002 plan included subcommittees for agriculture and natural resources, arts and culture, business assistance, business development, community services, education, health care, housing, infrastructure and public safety, tourism and recreation and work force development. Likely those topics will be included in the 2007 plan.
Montana West Economic Development compiles annual updates of the strategic plan during the five-year period.
When completed, the document is submitted to the federal EDA through the regional Resource Conservation and Development District, which manages the regional Economic Development District that includes Lake, Lincoln, Sanders and Flathead counties. Montana West Economic Development is the lead agency in Flathead County responsible for making sure the strategy document is done, Marchi said.
Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com