Welcome Davey Madison to the Montana Cooperative Community |
|
|
|
Please join us in welcoming Davey Madison to the Montana Cooperative Development Center and Montana Council of Cooperative's team.
Davey Madison is joining as the new Program Director for MCDC and is responsible for developing and implementing various cooperative development activities across Montana that create and support new businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, retail, childcare, housing, community services, and more. She can be reached by emailing davey@mcdc.coop.
Davey previously held the title of Project Manager in the Governor's Office of Economic Development under Governor Bullock. She was the lead for multiple projects, including an award-winning software application, the Business Navigator. She created and led a series of entrepreneurial networking events in rural towns across the state that culminated in the largest small business conference in Montana, the Innovate Montana Symposium.
She holds a BA in English from Carroll College in Helena, Montana, and is active on several local and statewide organizations. Including serving on the advisory board for Powerhouse Montana and as 2nd Vice-President for the Montana Ambassadors.
Davey grew up on the rolling hills of northeast Montana and still helps on the family ranch as much she can. When she's not immersed in economic and community development, she enjoys remodeling her home, baking tasty treats, and spending as much time on horseback as possible.
|
|
Congratulations on Retirement Marilyn! |
Thank you Marilyn! MCDC and MCOC are sending our best wishes and saying congratulations to Marilyn on her retirement.
Marilyn Besich, served as the first Program Director for Montana Cooperative Development Center since 2016. Besich, planned a retirement for early 2020 but remained with MCDC throughout the COVID outbreak providing critical services to existing and starting cooperatives. Her dedication to the Montana Cooperative Community is commendable and we want to wish her the very best as she starts a new chapter.
However, you still may see her from time to time. Marilyn has agreed to provide specialize training programs for MCDC starting in September of 2020. Marilyn can still be reached at marilyn@mcdc.coop if you would like to send her a note on her retirment. |
|
|
Online Curriculum on Cooperatives Available
for Schools and Cooperatives in Montana
|
Through a partnership with Montana Council of Cooperatives, Montana Cooperative Development Center, CHS Foundation and the Office of Public Administration the Montana Coop 101 online curriculum is now available...just in time for the start of a new school year.
This one week on-line course was designed for high schools to utilize in their CTE (Career and Technical Education) programs . The system is designed for the teachers and students to sign up consecutively. The system is also designed for anyone to use as a means to learn more about cooperatives in Montana as well as how ones are formed. We ask that if you are a cooperative in Montana to share this with your local high schools. And to feel free to use if you want to train your employees, members, or general public about Montana Cooperatives.
|
|
INPUT NEEDED!
Montana Cooperative Impact Report and Analysis
Starts August 2020
Montana Cooperative Development Center and the Montana Council of Cooperative has started the 2020 Montana Cooperative Impact Study and Report.
Thank you to the the following associations and cooperatives that are making this happen.
Because of the generous support of the above organizations, we are able to contract with the Bureau of Business and Research with the University of Montana. This means that the report will be larger analysis than seen in the past years and will be based on Montana qualifiers. The report, expected to be completed by November of 2020, will be available to all Cooperatives in Montana and will be released via our social media and website as well as other networks that we have available.
It is IMPERATIVE that when you, as a Montana Cooperative, receive your survey that you complete it and return as soon as possible. We are working with the sector based association (MECA, MFU, MCU, MTA and others) to reach all cooperatives in Montana. Many will be contacted by the BBER office directly so please know they are working on behalf of MCDC and the MCOC to gather this important information. As Montana continues to respond and recover from COVID, we want an accurate portrayal of how Cooperatives are doing, what Cooperatives are providing, and how Cooperatives can continue to build resiliency in Montana. If you have any questions please email our Director Tracy McIntyre at tracy@mcdc.coop or call her on her office cell 406-868-0757.
|
|
Emergency Housing Assistance Available
Please share in your Communities
|
Montanans who are having difficulty paying their rent or mortgage due to COVID-related loss of income are urged to apply for the Emergency Housing Assistance Program through the state of Montana.
The Emergency Housing Assistance Program, offered by the state of Montana COVID relief funds, provides rent, security deposit, mortgage payment assistance, and/or hazard insurance for Montanans who have lost a job or substantial income due to COVID-19.
Applicants may be eligible for up to $2,000 per month. The program pays the difference between 30% of the household’s gross monthly income and their eligible housing costs. Income limits range from $75,000-$125,000 annually based on family size.
Applicants may be eligible for this program even if they have now returned to work or regained income. The program is focused on the time they experienced the most impact from COVID and extends back to April 1, 2020. Upon approval, if the applicant continues to have lost income due to the impact of COVID-19, support can be provided based on continued need on a monthly basis.
NeighborWorks Montana has partnered with Montana Housing to offer support to renters and homeowners needing assistance applying for the program. If you, or someone you know, qualifies for the Emergency Housing Assistance Program but has either been previously denied or is having difficulty filling out the application, please contact NeighborWorks Montana at covidrelief@nwmt.org or 406-604-4500.
|
|
Training with the Center for Lifelong Learning Available |
|
MCDC has joined forces with the Center for Lifelong Learning at the Great Falls College- MSU campus. This new partnership will help us bring vital workforce training programs to the Cooperatives of Montana. Please let us know if you would like to be connected to the Center for a direct consultation on your cooperative's workforce needs.
MCDC is also working on expanding the Montana Cooperative Eco-system. MCDC is exploring the creation of a Continuing Education Unit program for legal and accounting professional in Montana, specifically around Cooperatives. We are asking the Montana Cooperatives to help us develop a list of accounting and legal professional already providing services to Cooperatives. The goal is to work with the professionals to develop a CEU program that is beneficial and that will expand their services to support the Montana Cooperative Eco-system.
Please email our Director Tracy McIntyre today with any recommendations of legal or accounting professionals that MCDC should reach out to tracy@mcdc.coop.
|
|
 |
One of the mission values of MCDC and the Council of Cooperatives is to promote and educate communities in Montana on the importance of cooperatives. MCDC has rolled out the MT Co-op 101 curriculum that focused on High School students.This is just the first step!
Over the course of the next year:
- MCDC/MCOC will develop Educational Materials on Cooperatives for the economic development community to utilize specifically to help recover from COVID-19 with workforce conversions and investing cooperatives.
- MCDC/MCOC will continue to host webinars and when allowed, events, that will include training for existing cooperative members and for those interested in developing cooperatives.
- As the Montana Cooperative Summit was canceled in 2020 and does not look to be an option in 2021, MCDC and MCOC is converting to Regional Montana Cooperative Days. These days are in early stages but up to twelve (12) will be hosted across the State in 2020-2021. The Cooperative Days will focus on bringing the Cooperative Community together to enhance the cooperative ecosystem as well as promote the usage of cooperatives to address community and economic needs.
- MCDC staff is available to speak at community and cooperative events as requested!
- And more...
As education is a core principle of our cooperatives, we ask that each Montana Cooperative support us in our outreach and educational efforts with a pledge of 5% of your 5% reserve for education purposes or a donation of your liking. Funds received for this program will be used to support the development of further educational materials to be used by our office, cooperatives in Montana, and our fellow economic developers.
|
|
|
|
If you would like us to post your upcoming co-op events or information in the Montana Cooperative Update send event information to: tracy@mcdc.coop
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
