The Eastern Montana Impact Coalition (EMIC) is a unique collaboration of three economic development districts and 1 local development organization formed with the concept that 4 entities working together toward a common goal can accomplish much more than those 4 entities working separately. The coalition leverages resources and coordinates services for its counties and communities to encourage planning, housing development, and obtaining financing for critical infrastructure.
The organizations involved are Great Northern Development Corporation serving Sheridan, Valley, Daniels, Roosevelt, McCone and Garfield counties with Martin DeWitt, executive director; Richland Economic Development Corporation, Leslie Messer executive director; Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation serving Dawson, Prairie, Wibaux, Fallon and Carter counties, Jason Rittal executive director; Southeastern Montana Development Corporation serving Treasure, Rosebud, Custer and Powder River counties, Jim Atchison executive director.
According to DeWitt, EMIC is a trend setting thing not done anywhere else in the nation. “We have a very unique opportunity with EMIC,” he said. The idea for the collaboration started with conversations at the end of a MEDA conference. During the discussions concerning energy impacts and other issues facing economic development organizations, it was determined that the 4 entities face the same issues and obstacles in bringing successful economic development to their specific areas. Rather than chasing the same funding “like stray cats”, it was decided to work collaboratively and collectively. “Eastern Montana is one big neighborhood and if something helps a neighbor, it helps you as well,” DeWitt said.
The initial step was to form a memorandum of understanding that the goal was to achieve something to deal with energy impacts. Priorities were set which included formulating a plan of action, hiring a resource coordinator and a planner. It was determined that the group had $20,000 in local matching funds which could be used to go after other channels or pools of money. That $20,000 has been leveraged into $380,000 in funding.
The first step was to fund an impact study. Jones, Lang and LaSalle, (JLL) a firm based in Seattle, was hired and has completed the preliminary study. JLL & EMIC provided a centrally located meeting of all 16 NE Counties, called the Community Outreach Event which was held in Miles City. The group presented their findings and garnered input from the attendees on further issues that need to be addressed.
They also participated in the Jobs Summit held by Senator Baucus in Butte. They received more input from the private sector and attempted to get the pulse of the industries involved. The findings from those two events, a legislative social, as well as the energy forum involving Canadian businesses which the group sponsored recently in Sidney, will be incorporated into the final draft of the impact study.
Once the final draft is in place, EMIC will be able to offer the various communities appropriate measures to help them move forward. The regional planner may be deployed to help with growth policies and capital improvement plans since many of the counties represented by EMIC do not have a planner on staff. Once specific plans are developed, the resource coordinator will assist the communities with applying for funds to accommodate the needs each one is facing. “These are definite resources we can provide,” DeWitt explained.
EMIC was able to collaborate as a coalition during the 2013 legislative session, and plans to do the same in 2015. They testified as a group on different bills which pertained to infrastructure impacts in their 16 Counties. “Working together with the legislature, we will try to come up with underwriting for infrastructure needs,” stated Messer. “We will support legislation which improves economic development and our region,” Rittal added. As a group and individually, the directors are in contact with representatives and legislators year round.
“We have a unique situation with 4 economic development groups who technically are competitors working together to leverage Time, Effort and Money. Eastern Montana is short on all three,” Atchison stated. With more bang for the buck and support from Liz Ching, formerly from Max Baucus’ office, as well as other government entities, the group hopes to minimize the impacts from not only oil and gas but railroads and coal as well.
EMIC has also held discussions with their colleagues in North Dakota. “It’s not just Montana. Our work has no political or geographical borders,” Atchison added. Rittal praised the synergy that the 4 directors have. Because of their great relationship, EMIC has been able to bring development to Eastern Montana that potentially could have gone to North Dakota. “Had we not all worked together and all been at the table, we may have lost IAP to North Dakota,” he said. “It really helps that we are willing to work together. We all recognize that Eastern Montana is a close community where neighbors help each other. We put our egos aside to do what’s best for everyone.”
Messer also praised the working relationship and the opportunities that come from working together. Each director brings an individual skill set to the group as well as knowledge of specific areas. DeWitt invited Messer to his annual meeting in Wolf Point in August, where Bruce Kanai, from Floating Islands International was the guest speaker. Messer, along with County commissioner Shane Gorder and the Richland County sanitarian, was able to bring back an alternative option for our area’s lagoon challenges.
EMIC has additionally received national publicity due to the uniqueness of the organization. Interviews in Forbes Magazine and National Geographic, plus documentaries on Montana PBS are helping to spread the word throughout the state and the country.
The group is excited about the future. They acknowledge that we face tremendous challenges but that ours is a better problem to have than some parts of the country. “The reality is that Eastern Montana sits on a tremendous opportunity. We need financial capital from the state and federal level. We can capitalize on that revenue to develop businesses which pay taxes which drive the government,” DeWitt said. “We need to get over that hump.”
Messer explained that ultimately the group would like to have a new funding mechanism in place whereby EMIC could help fund business projects, separately from any state funds. Looking forward, EMIC defines its goal as such: “Clearly identifying and preparing for impacts to eastern Montana communities will enable economic growth in the region. This plan is a proactive effort to ensure wise investment of resources to the areas of highest need, leading to job creation, increased tax base and healthy communities.”
Anyone wishing more information is encouraged to contact DeWitt at 406-653-2590; Rittal at 406-698-3255, Messer at 406-482-4679 or Atchison at 406-748-2990.
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