The Glacier County Commissioners were so impressed with the work being done by Browning Community Development Corporation on the Blackfeet Reservation, they voted last week to contribute $20,000 in county funds to its operation. That amount is two and a half times the $8,000 budgeted by the commissioners earlier this summer.
Where is the county going to get the additional $12,000?

John Ray, Chairman of the County Commissioners, offered the county would most likely take the additional funds out of the county's PILT (payment in lieu of taxes) money. "We have some money in our capital improvement fund, but this doesn't really fall into that," added Ray.

Glacier County Commissioner Michael DesRosier responded, "We don't want to say where it will come from until we've had time to review the budget." DesRosier noted that in its short history, BCDC has "had lots of results so far."

Dr. Johnel Barcus, Executive Director of BCDC, presented the commissioner with a four-page report, outlining the accomplishments and ongoing projects of BCDC, which is a private, non-profit organization "created to foster social and economic improvements on the Blackfeet Reservation." Barcus said the $20,000 donation will "assist us in paying for operating expenses...(and) to achieve our two goals of creating opportunities to foster social improvements and economic development on the Blackfeet Reservation."

BCDC's funding sources, in addition to Glacier County, include the Town of Browning, Glacier Electric Cooperative and 3Rivers Communications. It has also been awarded a Montana Cultural Trust grant and a HUD Capacity Building grant. With the county's $20,000 contribution, BCDC hopes to leverage other funding from federal and state agencies, as well as foundations.

BCDC is credited with facilitating the development of a Regional Port Authority in Glacier County, which includes the Town of Browning, City of Cut Bank and Glacier County. It has revived the Browning Chamber of Commerce and serves to facilitate Chamber activities in the town. Barcus is confident the Port Authority will be able to make an economic development impact in the county. Working as a region, we can get passed the border town issues, she pointed out.

Among the list of BCDC's accomplishments are several firsts. According to Barcus, BCDC is the first in the state to implement an Urban Renewal/Tax Increment Plan on an Indian Reservation. It has partnered with the Town of Browning and the Blackfeet Tribal Council with the result being the creation of a task force and plan to implement an Urban Renewal Agency on the Blackfeet Reservation.

The BCDC is currently housing the Montana Tax Help Center, through a partnership with Consumer Credit Counseling Services (CCCS) of Montana. Two BCDC staff members, along with six Browning High School students, a VISTA worker with Montana Legal Services and two other local volunteers have become certified tax preparers with the program.

BCDC is also a participant of CCCS's Montana Native American Consumer Credit Training Program and is working towards an Individual Development Account Project with CCCS.

The Montana Department of Commerce has contracted BCDC to provide an 11-session Indianpreneurship business development course. To date nearly 80 people have participated in BCDC's business counseling programs or taken advantage of counseling and/or training offered by BCDC.

BCDC was one of the originators of the Montana Indian Business Alliance. Barcus sits on the executive committee of this organization and is the team leader for its resource team. BCDC has agreed to partner with the Montana Financial Education Coalition (MFEC) to provided financial education to community members.

Opportunity Link awarded BCDC a $26,000 grant in 2006 "to develop BCDC to build capacity within the Blackfeet Reservation Community." The organization is also working to develop a revolving loan program for business development, expansion and/or retention.

BCDC received a grant earlier this summer form the Montana Council on the Arts to hold the first annual Arts in the Park. The program will be expanded to a two-day event this summer and held in conjunction with the annual North American Indian Days Celebration.

"We are delighted to continue our partnership with Glacier County in fostering positive change on the Blackfeet Reservation and to members of the county," concluded Barcus.

County Commissioner Ron Rides at the Door believes working together, and taking advantage of global economies, is a way to save rural communities with stagnant economies. "We're fighting over the same dollars," he said. "We need to take the blinders off and work together."

BCDC News 2005

BCDC Has Moved Into a New Office Space

Browning joins Glacier County in looking to promote economic growth

BCDC asks county for $ 35,000 to spur local economic development

Browning resident named to board by Gov. Brian Schweitzer

Dr. Barcus appointed to Montana Commission on Community Service

BCDC News 2006

BCDC takes lead in establishing Regional Port Authority in county

BCDC develops jobs through HUD Capacity Building Grant

BCDC urges: ‘Make a difference in your community'

Glacier County Regional Port Authority ready to roll June 1

Browning Community Development Corporation Welcomes
Four New Individuals

Commissioners name Port Authority reps

Glacier County Port Authority hears from Shelby Mayor
on benefits of a successful port authority

Newly formed business alliance promotes Montana's "Indianpreneurs"

BCDC News 2007

Glacier County Commissioners give BCDC $ 20,000
to continue economic development work on Reservation

A revolving loan fund tops the wish list for County Port Authority

First Indianpreneurship™ Business Training graduates honored at BCC

Blackfeet Family Services receives donation of shoes, school supplies

BCDC receives $ 300,000 RHED grant to teach financial literacy

Port Authority looks at planning, property and urban renewal

BCDC News 2008

Port Authority seeks committee members

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