Eastern Plains Economic Development CorporationA five-county regional Economic Development Corporation for the counties of Carter, Dawson, Fallon, Prairie, and Wibaux in southeastern Montana. |
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Jason Rittal, EPEDC Executive Directorjason.rittal@epedc.org406-698-3255
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Office - 2745 West Holly StreetSidney , MT 59270info@epedc.org406-433-4655 Ext 125Fax 406-433-7351 |
Pam Berwick, RC & D Administrative Supportpam.berwick@epedc.org406-433-4655 Ext 125 |
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy CEDS
What Do We Do?
Where Do We Want To Be?
How Do We Get There?
Executive Summary
This Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is part of a five-county regional planning effort completed for the counties of Carter, Dawson, Fallon, Prairie, and Wibaux in southeastern Montana. This planning process, which includes implementation components, is designed to increase new jobs and tax base, to foster a more stable and diverse economy, to improve the standard of living, and to provide a vehicle to help the region focus on their communities’ future needs and responsibilities.
This planning process analyzed local conditions and trends, identified problems and opportunities, set goals, objectives and strategies and coordinated activities to implement change. It creates an on-going foundation for future economic planning and activity in the region and ensures continued compliance with the CEDS guidelines. Planning for community, economic, and rural development is a continuing process responding to changing wants and needs.
During and following the five “County CEDS Meetings” held throughout the region, over 60 residents expressed a desire to initiate projects that will provoke sustainable, multi-faceted economic development. Most often mentioned projects were the desire to improve the local economy, enhance local housing, improve and expand local infrastructure, expanded use of natural resources, and to encourage tourism within the area. Public input from this on-going process helped the Eastern Plains EDC focus on five main categories—Economy, Housing, Infrastructure, Natural Resources, and Tourism.
Included in this CEDS is the most recent social and economic data from the U. S. Census Bureau and other sources. Also provided are an assessment of the region’s economic condition and a discussion of the region’s current strategy for economic development. This region consists of educated residents that reflect a strong work ethic and an environment that promotes an excellent quality of life.
The planning process resulted in the formation of the Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation, a Montana nonprofit corporation, whose mission is to maintain, diversify, and improve economic conditions to foster cooperation between public and private entities in Carter, Dawson, Fallon, Prairie, and Wibaux Counties. The CEDS document was prepared to obtain designation as an economic development district from the U. S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration.
Without the active participation of local elected officials, area business people, government employees, local economic development representatives, and private citizens, this CEDS would not have been possible. It represents the input received from region residents over the past 12-15 months to identify specific economic development goals and objectives and an economic development committee that worked together to develop mutually beneficial strategies to meet those needs.
If local leaders look forward to a bright economic future, they can’t wait for a “one size fits all” plan handed down from Helena or Washington, D.C. They must start at the local level. They must start planning now for the retirement of the baby boomer generation and any potential shortage of trained workers. As baby boomers leave the workforce, this demographic shift will affect everything from housing to health care to the job market. Local leaders also need to remember that a quality infrastructure—things like streets, sewers, and schools—is an important component of economic development. The EPEDC provides a vision to help local leaders help themselves.
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