The Beartooth Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc. (RC&D) Office Manager, Eric Atwood, and Economic Development Director, Luke Walawander, appeared at the April 7 City Council work session to make a presentation on their organization and to ask the City Council to approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Beartooth's economic development services through Dec. 31, 2014. 

Beartooth RC&D is a Federally grant-funded rural and economic development agency that has operated since 1969 in five South Central Montana counties.  The Federal funds are matched by $4,650 of dues and $39,375.62 of assessments from the five counties and seven cities or agencies in them, including the City of Billings.  Those paying dues are represented on the Beartooth Board of Directors.

Projects benefiting Billings through Beartooth's Big Sky Trust Fund have included grants for a Yellowstone County Target Industry Analysis, for investigating potential sites and direction for development of a Yellowstone County Industrial Park, and for an electronic strategy and framework for Elation, Inc., an employee training and personal development firm.  Other potential uses include water/sewer infrastructure and profit-making projects for the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, and a planning grant for the Museum of the Yellowstone future development.

Beartooth RC&D also is the state-recognized Certified Regional Development District, the state Food and Ag Development Center and the Montana Cooperative Development Center.

The Council may:

• Approve the MOU and payment of the attached invoices;
• Postpone action on the MOU; or
• Not approve the MOU.

The City of Billings' annual Board dues are $100.  The City also is expected to pay an assessment of .1537 per capita, or $9,663.93.

A total of $10,000 is budgeted for Beartooth RC&D contributions in FY 2014.

Staff recommends approval of the MOU with Beartooth RC&D.