Economic Development Advisory Council
The Economic Development Advisory Council is administratively attached to the Department of Commerce. The role of the Council is as follows:
- advise the department concerning the distribution of funds to certified regional development corporations for business development purposes in accordance with 90-1-116;
- advise the department regarding the creation, operation, and maintenance of the microbusiness finance program and the policies and operations affecting the certified microbusiness development corporations;
- advise the governor and the department on significant matters concerning economic development in Montana;
- prescribe allowable administrative expenses for which economic development funds may be used by certified regional development corporations; and
- encourage certified regional development corporations to promote economic development on Indian reservations in their regions.
The council is statutorily composed of 19 appointed members. 15 members appointed by the Governor to include:
- the Director of the Department of Commerce;
- the Chief Business Development Officer who will serve as Presiding Officer of the council;
- one member from a Montana tribal government who represents a tribal economic development organization; and
- up to 12 members representing each geographic region covered by each of the regional development corporations certified by the department; and
- two representatives, including one from each party, appointed by the speaker of the house; and two senators, including one from each party, appointed by the committee on committees.
