Browning Community Development Corporation in Browning will receive a Rural Housing and Economic Development Innovative grant award in the amount of
$ 300,000. "We're partnering with Blackfeet Community College, the Browning Area Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Browning, Blackfeet Housing and the Glacier County Port Authority," explained Johnel Barcus of the BCDC. "We need to have tons of partners. They all put in in-kind things - for example BCC is contributing classrooms and computer labs - so they're all putting in something, and that's what makes up the leveraging amount." Proposed leveraging for this project is $ 237,312.

"Our primary goal is for opportunities to be created to foster improvements and economic development," she said. "We're not waiting for government to do it for us; we're empowering community members to do it and creating opportunities for that to happen."

The RHED funds will be used to assist the Blackfeet tribal members in a two-year initiative. The objective of the first year is to establish financial education and asset building information, counseling and training opportunities for at least 500 of their residents. The information being provided will assist in curtailing predatory lending activities, increasing the decision making and literacy level of residents by educating them on various issues pertaining to housing and economic development.

In each of these cases - passenger air travel, clean streets, revolving loans and urban renewal districts - the Port Authority seeks assistance from county residents to fill out work committees that will report back to the Port Authority on their progress. Anyone interested in serving with the Port Authority on a committee is encouraged to contact one of the committee leaders for more information and to get involved.

In addition to this partnering, the BCDC is also partnering with Tax Help Montana, formerly Consumer Credit Counseling of Montana, to provide free tax help next year. "It's part of the literacy campaign," Barcus said, "so people don't have to get anticipatory loans."

In addition, BCDC is partnering with Montana Making Cents, a program developed by the Office of Civic Engagement at the University of Montana. The AmeriCorps-related program addresses financial literacy and carries with it two AmeriCorps positions.

"Another objective we have is to provide informational training to new and existing business owners to develop, expand or retain their business," Barcus said.

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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