Our Mission
"To enhance the quality of life and economic well-being of all residents in Lake, Sanders, and Mineral Counties and the Flathead Indian Reservation"
| | A Message from our Executive Director | | |
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Dear Friends and Partners,
As winter gives way to longer spring days, Mission West is gearing up for another busy season. The past few months have challenged us to explore new directions as we face the harsh reality of administrative changes that threaten the very community programs, we know are vital—and were actively implementing.
Mission West has been a proud leader in the USDA Rural Renewable Energy Program. This initiative helped cost-share projects focused on energy savings and, more importantly, brought renewable energy solutions to our rural communities. With support from the Montana Department of Agriculture, we assisted businesses in developing strategies that improved their bottom line through sustainable innovation. Unfortunately, this program is now frozen by USDA Rural Development.
We also launched a Brownfields program aimed at helping our communities and businesses address pollution left behind from previous land uses. Across our towns, there are sites identified as needing cleanup, and what better use of public funds than investing in a cleaner, safer environment for the next generation? This program, too, has been halted under current federal directives.
Despite these setbacks, we’re not standing still. We’re actively engaging with partners, funders, and friends to understand and respond to the concerns we’re hearing from our communities. The “Why?” behind this federal shift away from supporting rural America is hard to pin down. But one thing is clear—we know our communities. They’re resilient. They’re innovative. And together, we’ll rise to meet these challenges head-on.
It’s an honor to be part of Mission West, surrounded by a dedicated team and rooted in the strong, mission-driven communities we serve.
Sincerely,
Jan Tusick,
Executive Director
| | Another Successful Food Hub Summit | | Cooperative Development Center | |
Mission West’s Cooperative Development Center hosted its fourth annual Northwest Food Hub Network Summit on March 13-14 at Gonzaga University in Spokane. This year’s event brought together more than 150 food hub managers, farmers, customers, and supporters for two days of networking, tours, presentations, and breakout sessions. “Since organizing the Summit for the first time in 2022, we’ve more than quadrupled our audience while continuing to deliver actionable insight and meaningful relationship-building opportunities,” said Cooperative Development Center Director, Charlie Michel.
This year’s event offered on site-learning opportunities at LINC Foods, CasaCano Farms, and Gonzaga Campus Dining as well as a social hour, affinity group sessions, and panels featuring perspectives from leaders in our regional food system. The support of partner organizations including Montana Farmers Union, AgWest Farm Credit, and the Montana Farm to School Ambassador Network made it possible for Mission West to source from 14 local producers for meals served during the Summit while supporting representatives from more than 20 regional food hubs and Farm to School programs to attend.
Mission West launched the Northwest Food Hub Network as a collaborative partnership with Puget Sound Food Hub Cooperative (Mount Vernon, WA), LINC Foods (Spokane, WA), and Western Montana Growers Cooperative (Missoula, MT) to leverage shared resources and value chain capacity. The Network has since added $5 million in sales revenue for its three food hubs and their 300+ producers by creating new market opportunities while expanding local food access for communities across the region. Mission West convenes the Summit each year to advance these efforts, share learnings, and invite new partners into the fold.
To learn more, visit: www.nwfoodhubnetwork.com/summit
| | Spring is Blooming for MMFEC | | Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center | | |
MMFEC is excitedly preparing for the upcoming spring produce season, and the energy around here is starting to build! As the first signs of spring emerge—root vegetables and row crops begin sprouting in the fields, and cherry trees slowly burst into blossom—we’re turning our attention to our processing machines and equipment. We're doing a full check-up and tune-up to make sure every piece of machinery is running smoothly and efficiently, so we’re ready to support the growing needs of our local producers as harvest time ramps up.
Meanwhile, the excitement surrounding our Montana Marinara product continues to grow! Word is spreading fast, and demand is increasing not just locally, but in new regions farther from home. We’re thrilled to see it reaching more customers and making its way into new markets.
Our commissary kitchen is also experiencing a boost in activity. Reservations are filling up quickly, with local food trucks booking time to prep for their busy spring schedules. In addition, small-scale food manufacturers are starting to prepare for their seasonal production runs, using our shared manufacturing center to get their products ready for market.
All in all, it’s shaping up to be a lively and productive spring at MMFEC, and we couldn’t be more excited to support our local food community in so many meaningful ways!
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Community Economic Development Department
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Taylor Lennox- New Economic Development Program Manger
We’re thrilled to welcome Taylor as the new Community Economic Development Program Manager.
Taylor is no stranger to our team—he previously served in the Business Development department, where he played a key role in advancing strategic initiatives and fostering strong relationships across the region. His leadership, insight, and dedication to community-driven impact made a lasting impression.
Now, Taylor is taking on a pivotal role as he leads one of our most significant efforts to date: the $3.5 million dollar Montana Pilot Community Tourism Grant Program (MTPCTGP). With his proven track record and deep understanding of regional development, we’re confident that this project is in expert hands and will bring transformative benefits to our communities.
Check out our new projects in the pipeline here!
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Mission West Out and About
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Congratulations are in order!
We’re thrilled to share some exciting recognition from the community!
Our very own Jan Tusick was recently nominated for Citizen of the Year—a well-deserved honor that highlights her incredible dedication to local food systems, small business support, and community development across western Montana.
And that’s not all—Mission West was named a finalist for Agricultural Leader of the Year! This recognition celebrates our ongoing work in strengthening regional agriculture, supporting food producers, and helping rural communities thrive.
We’re beyond proud of this acknowledgment and grateful to be doing the work we love in a place we care so deeply about. Huge congratulations to Jan and the entire Mission West team for making a difference every single day! 💪🌾
| | | Business Development Center | | |
The Business Development Center at Mission West Community Development Partners is excited to announce our Spring Workshop Series Schedule! This season, we're bringing you expert-led sessions focused on helping small business owners, entrepreneurs, and dreamers build smarter, stronger businesses in 2025 and beyond.
All workshops will be held virtually via Zoom starting at 11:00am. Participants also have the option to join us in person at the Mission West offices in Ronan, where we’ll be hosting live viewings of each session.
Digital Marketing Workshop Series (2-Part)
May 1 & May 8 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Strengthen your digital presence with this two-part series focused on foundational marketing strategies and current online tools.
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Session 1 (Thursday, May 1): Digital Marketing Foundations & Local SEO
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Session 2 (Thursday, May 8): Social Media & Smart Marketing Strategies
Financial Projections & Smart Money Management (3-Part)
May 15, May 22 & May 29 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Gain clarity and confidence in your business finances with this three-part series tailored to entrepreneurs at all stages.
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Session 1 (Thursday, May 15): Mastering Financial Projections
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Session 2 (Thursday, May 22): Funding Your Business – Loans, Grants & Investors
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Session 3 (Thursday, May 29): Managing Finances for Sustainable Growth
QuickBooks Workshop Series (3-Part)
June 3, June 19 & June 26 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
This hands-on series will guide you through the essentials of QuickBooks to help you better manage your business’s day-to-day financial operations.
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Session 1 (Tuesday, June 3): QuickBooks Basics & Getting Set Up Right
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Session 2 (Thursday, June 19): Managing the Money – Sales, Expenses & Payroll
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Session 3 (Thursday, June 26): Reports, Budgeting & Smarter Business Decisions
All workshops are free to attend, but registration is required.
We invite you to take advantage of this opportunity to build new skills, connect with fellow business owners, and take meaningful steps toward your goals this spring.
📍 Attend virtually or at the Mission West offices in Ronan
📞 For more information, contact us at (406) 676-5901
💻 Register online at: http://www.missionwestcdp.org/workshops-and-events/
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Mission West Community Development Partners
Call us at 406-676-5901
407 Main St. SW | Ronan, MT 59864
info@missionwestcdp.org
| | MWCDP is an equal opportunity provider and employer | | | | |
