newsNewsThu, 04 Jun 2009 20:24:18 GMTCopyright 2010. All rights reserved.Pyron Technologies SuiteFin CMSThu, 04 Jun 2009 20:24:18 GMT The Department of Commerce has schedule a workshop for companies interested in applying for the Revolving Loan Fund stimulus funds.  Workshop will be Monday, June 8, 2009, 1:30 p.m. at Department of Commerce’s building, 301 So. Park Avenue, Helena - Director’s Office 2nd floor conference room.  Commerce personnel should forward us some additional information in the next couple of days.         Montana Wood Products Association         PO Box 1149                    Helena, MT  59624          Phone: 406-443-1566  Fax: 406-443-2439          On the Web at: www.montanaforests.com   http://maedc.org/news?id=64Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:08:29 GMT The Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation (MAEDC) will assist the Montana Department of Commerce with implementation of a revolving loan fund program to help Montana’s forest products industry. The program was approved by the recent Legislative session. “We appreciate the efforts of legislators, including our local delegation, Governor Schweitzer, and the staff of the Department to establish this important program,” stated Dick King, MAEDC’s President and CEO.     Today, MAEDC signed a loan agreement with the Department that constitutes the first step in the State’s initiative to save jobs and retain Montana’s forest products infrastructure. “MAEDC’s Board of Directors approved this loan last week and we are committed to moving quickly to disburse the funds to companies throughout the state that are critical to meeting the fiber supply needs of the state’s industry,” King stated. Under the agreement, MAEDC will borrow one million dollars and will repay the state over a fifteen-year period.     Tony Preite, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce, said that the State is working hard to assist the industry and that the loan will provide immediate assistance to at least fifteen companies in Montana. “We anticipate that the loan to MAEDC will help these companies retain the work force that is critical to survival of the forest products industry and we estimate that about 600 jobs will be saved.”     MAEDC will begin disbursing funds as soon as next week. “Many of these companies are important customers of Missoula’s business community,” King noted, “and in this difficult economic time it is reassuring to see the strong work ethic that is characteristic of the work force in this industry.” Montana’s forest products industry directly employs about 9,000 workers, according to a report prepared by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research and commissioned by MAEDC and the Department.     “We also need to thank our Congressional delegation for their recognition of the importance of this industry and specifically for their support of this new program,” King stated.  Senators Baucus and Tester and their staffs all worked with the Governor’s office and the Legislature to establish the revolving loan fund. Director Preite noted that overall the state will provide about $12 million in loans to help the forest products industry. The balance of the funds will be administered by the Department, which is currently drafting rules.   “Additional information relative to the entire revolving loan fund portfolio, which includes funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and other sources, will be presented at a press conference in the near future,” Preite stated. Governor Schweitzer, Senator Baucus and Senator Tester, or their representatives, will attend the event. For more information contact MAEDC at 406-728-3337 or at maedc@maedc.org     http://maedc.org/news?id=63Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:33:19 GMT Thursday, April 30, 2009, 6 p.m. at the Montana Technology Enterprise Center 1121 E. Broadway The City of Missoula has approximately $400,000 to loan to an eligible applicant for the cleanup of a Brownfield property. Brownfields are Abandoned, Idle or Underused Land where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination. The meeting will include presentations by staff from the Missoula Office of Planning and Grants, the Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation and the City’s environmental consultant. Together, they will explain the Brownfields program, funds available, applicant eligibility and the application process. Who should attend the meeting? Anyone interested in Missoula’s growth, Business Owners, Community Housing Development Organizations, Developers, Lenders , Realtors, and Neighborhood Groups Please contact MAEDC if you need special accommodations at 406.728.3337. http://maedc.org/news?id=62Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:30:29 GMT Missoula Business Forum: Beyond the Current Economic Slowdown... Positioning Missoula for Future Economic Success Presentation by Dr. Larry Swanson of the O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West The forum will include a presentation by Dr. Larry Swanson on recent growth and change in the Missoula area economy, examining this growth in relation to other similarly sized cities in the Western United States, and describing key trends and propositions that will heavily shape and determine future growth and prosperity in the area.  Dr. Swanson will also provide an update on recent data ragarding how Missoula is faring in the current recession.  Dr. Swanson's talk will be followed by a panel presentation discussing key elements affecting area prosperity, including workforce development and infrastructure and facilities planning. Panelists will include Wolfgang Ametsbichler of Missoula Job Service and Hal Fraser of First Security Bank who chairs the Missoula Redevelopment Agency board.  When:  Tuesday, April 28th from 8:00 am - 12:00pm Where: Doubletree Hotel - 100 Madison Street $12.00 to attend - includes a breakfast buffet Seating is limited!  Register today at www.missoulacvb.org/attend Brought to you in partnership by:  The Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation, The Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce, The  Missoula Convension and Visitors Bureau, The Missoula Downtown Association, The Missoula Organization of REALTORS, The Missoula Mid-Town Association, The Missoula Building Industry Association, and The Missoula Businesswomen's Network Sponsored by:  The Doubletree Hotel; First Security Bank; The Missoulian  http://maedc.org/news?id=61Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:23:11 GMT City of Missoula’s Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund – Accepting Applications On March 23, 2009 the City of Missoula and the Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation (MAEDC) announced a second application cycle for the City of Missoula’s Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund.     This fund, established by the City and administered by MAEDC, has recently been recapitalized with a second grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency.  RLF funds are lent to qualified developers, non profits and municipalities for cleanup activities of Brownfields sites in the City of Missoula.   A Brownfield is any real property where redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived contamination.  Guidelines and application materials for this program can be found on MAEDC’s website ( www.maedc.org ). Information will also be available on Tuesday, April 7th at the BitterRoot Economic Development District’s Green Recovery Workshop, from 1pm to 6pm at the Holiday Inn Downtown at the Park in Missoula.  For more information on the workshop, please visit www.bredd.org . http://maedc.org/news?id=60