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Regional development group briefs Treasure County: $2.1M leveraged for county over 23 years, staff changes ahead
Summary
Jim Acheson of Southeastern Montana Development told commissioners that SENDC has helped bring more than $2.1 million in impact funds to Treasure County since 2014, previewed an organizational staffing change and encouraged the county to consider CPACE and housing-related resolutions and programs.
Jim Acheson, executive with Southeastern Montana Development (SENDC), briefed Treasure County commissioners on the nonprofit's work over the previous 12 months and on outcomes for the four-county region.
"Treasure County dropped 28 people," Acheson said while summarizing recent census updates and demographic trends affecting regional planning. He described SENDC services including business counseling, low-interest lending for real estate and equipment, grant writing and administration, and regional planning tools such as a five-year SEDS plan that helps communities win state and federal grants.
Acheson said SENDC helped channel roughly $600,000 of investment into Treasure County in the most recent 12-month period and that the four-county cumulative impact since 2002 is over $2.1 million. He noted program areas where the county could seek help: CPACE financing for building retrofits, housing assistance associated with House Bill 819, and assistance crafting CDBG and transportation grant applications. Acheson also said a key SENDC staff member, Julie, will reduce to part-time then depart, and he urged commissioners to consider a modest dues increase or permissive levy to sustain local participation.
Commissioners asked questions about local match requirements and implementation; Acheson offered follow-up support on grant packaging and advised the county to identify specific projects and possible matches ahead of grant cycles.
Acheson closed by offering to circulate the SENDC impact scoreboard and to pursue follow-up meetings to help the county prepare applications and consider membership options.
