This report examines the drivers of the challenge and the impact it has had in communities across the country, as well as, roles that EDDs are playing to increase childcare accessibility, quality, and affordability in their communities. This report was supported by NRMEDD and highlights the 2023 Big Sky Childcare Report.

In this episode of The Vault, host Marcell Bruski takes the podcast on the road to the Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA) Fall Conference.

The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that the 2025 recipients of the Opportunities in Rural Economies planning grant have been selected and will share almost $500,000 in funding.

Jackie Haines, executive director of the Northern Rocky Mountain Economic Development District, elicited gasps from the crowd with statistics on Big Sky’s childcare and family living costs: 75% of two-parent families have two parents in the workforce, compared to Gallatin County (65%) and Madison County (57%). In Big Sky, 96% of women with children are in the labor force, compared to Gallatin County (66%) and Madison County (51%).

The City of Belgrade has partnered with The Northern Rocky Mountain Economic Development District (Bridger District) and the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce to provide an Emergency Business Stabilization Loan & Grant Program. Businesses that are struggling due to the COVID-19 Pandemic can qualify for a loan to help stay in business.

The Northern Rocky Mountain Economic Development District (Bridger District) welcomes Mia Bell as its new Recovery and Resilience Coordinator. Institutions across Gallatin and Park County are using a broad range of initiatives to tackle COVID-19.

Rob Gilmore, executive director of the Northern Rocky Mountain Economic Development District, a nonprofit that supports economic development in Gallatin and Park counties, explained the team’s recent survey results.

The Northern Rocky Mountain Economic Development District is submitting a grant to the federal Economic Development Administration.

The Northern Rocky Mountain Economic Development District is rolling out a survey for Gallatin County businesses in the coming weeks.