Business Resources Division
PROVIDES SERVICES FOR BUSINESS EXPANSION AND RETENTION
The Governor's Office of Economic Development, Montana Department of Commerce, Montana Department of Labor and Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA) formed a partnership that allows Montana to be one of several states to make the BEAR (Business Expansion and Retention) program available statewide. The Montana BEAR program is supported by local community entities that provide staff and financial support so that local business owners and operators are able to access much needed resources allowing them to improve and/or expand their businesses.
"Providing opportunities to local communities to build their economy is critical," said Governor Brian Schweitzer. "Nobody knows what a community needs better than the folks who raise their families and make their living there. I am thrilled to be able to offer this tool to help our communities prosper."
The BEAR program pulls together local business and community leaders to form a volunteer assessment team to address local needs. Assessment team members are trained in both the assessment process and in interviewing. Local area businesses who request the free service are visited by interviewers from the Assessment Team to conduct on-site surveys of the issues and needs of their local business. After reviewing the confidential survey the Assessment Team connects the client business to state, area, and local resources that that will assist with the identified needs and issues.
Montana BEAR Teams Contact Points
Statewide Coordinators: Mike and Gloria O'Rourke, gloria@medamembers.org, 406-563-5259
Western Montana
Tracy McIntyre, Eureka, 406-297-7374, Lincoln County, tracy@eurekardp.net, Tobacco Valley Community Development Council
Mike Jackson, Kalispell, 406-758-6230 Flathead County, MJackson2@mt.gov
Gib Turner, Ronan, 406-676-5901 Lake County, busofficer@ronan.net, Lake County Community Development Corporation
Kevin Chamberlain, Mineral County, mincoex@blackfoot.net
Saundra Long, Missoula, 406-542-5768, Missoula County, SLong@mt.gov
Heather Mousley, Hamilton, 406-375-6042, Ravalli County, hmousley@mt.gov
Southwest Montana
Terry Myhre, Helena, 406-447-1511, Lewis and Clark County, tmyhre@mbac.biz, Montana Business Assistance Connection
Dale Mahugh, Butte, 406-497-3756, Silver Bow County and Southwest Region, Dale.Mahugh@northwestern.com
Gloria O'Rourke, Anaconda, 406-563-5259, Anaconda/Deer Lodge County, gloria@medamembers.org, Montana Economic Developers Association
Debbie Berg, Bozeman , 406-582-9200; Kara Graetz, 406-582-9228, Gallatin County, berg@mt.gov
Joyce Heiser, Livingston Job Service, joheiser@mt.gov; Zany Betley, BEAR Team Manager, 406-222-0520, zbetley@mt.gov
Shelly Unruh, Dillon, 406-682-8259, Beaverhead County, shunruh@mt.gov
North Central Montana
Havre, 406-265-5847, Hill County, Havre Workforce Job Service Center, havrejsc@mt.gov Jason Rittal
Sarah Converse, 406-727-5173, Glacier County , Toole County, Pondera County, sgdevelopment@bresnan.net, Sweetgrass Development
Central Montana
Kathie Bailey, Lewistown, 406-535-2591, Fergus County, Golden Valley County, Judith Basin County, Musselshell County, and Wheatland County Areas, smdcdist6@hotmail.com, Snowy Mountain Development
Sarah Converse, 406-727-5173, Teton County, Cascade County, sgdevelopment@bresnan.net, Sweetgrass Development
South Central Montana
Melissa Kramer, Columbus, 406-322-8050, Stillwater County, mkramer@co.stillwater.mt.us
Brian Edwards, Billings, 406-256-6871, Yellowstone County, edwards@bigskyeda.org, Big Sky Economic Development Authority
Eastern Montana
Linda Twitchell, Wolf Point, 406-653-2590, Valley County, Garfield County, McCone County, Daniels County, Roosevelt County, Sheridan County, linda@gndc.org, Great Northern Development Corporation
Jason Rittal, 406-698-3255, Prairie County, Dawson County, Wibaux County, Falon County, Carter County, jrittal@midrivers.com
Vernette Torgerson, Sidney, 406-433-1204, 406-433-1204, Richland County, VTorgerson@mt.gov
