Small Business Assistance
Southeastern Montana Development Corporation (SEMDC) provides the following technical assistance to the businesses and entrepreneurs in Treasure, Custer, Rosebud, and Powder River Counties in southeastern Montana:
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Free, confidential, one-on-one counseling to start-up & existing businesses
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Assistance in business planning, projections, financials, marketing & research
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Education of lender expectations and assistance in obtaining appropriate financing
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Comprehensive training in all areas of business management
Small Business Resources
Step 1 Business Plan WebVersion
Step 2 Personal Financial Statement
Step 3 Financial Statement Forms for Business Planning
CONTACT SEMDC today at: 406.748.2990
SEMDC is devoted to guide existing and start-up businesses toward profitability in order to create jobs and economic wealth in Montana.
SEMDC dedicates its energy and resources to providing support to small businesses and small-business owners across the nation. SEMDC helps businesses across the country through what we call the “3 C’s” of our service:
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Capital: We work with about 5,000 banks to provide SBA loans to deserving small businesses.
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Contracts: We work to ensure that 23% of federal contract dollars go to small businesses.
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Counseling: 14,000 SBA-affiliated counselors are ready when you need small business guidance.
SEMDC Successes
SEMDC Scoredboard shows current SBDC statistics
SEMDC Municipality Report shows the SBDC activity in each area that SEMDC serves
Below are a few examples of SBDC success stories:
Wilson Welding and Machine
An oil services firm started by Stanley Wilson and his family located in Baker, Montana. Mr. Wilson had worked in the oil services industry for the better part of 20 years and finally decided to open his own firm. Through assistance from the Small Business Development Center, Mr. Wilson was able to write a business plan and secure financing from one local bank and another national bank located in Florida, and has now become the primary contractor for one of the major oil producers in the Bakken Field.
Wayside Campground
Tracy Vail, a local hair stylist in Broadus, saw an opportunity to purchase a campground. Because of circumstances beyond Ms. Vail’s control, financing the acquisition became a challenge. With the help of the Small Business Development Center, Ms. Vail was able to complete a business plan and purchase the campground using a complex financial structure that included equity, a traditional bank loan, a loan from SEMDC, and a contract for deed by the previous owner.
Kale Tree Service
Tristan Kale of Miles City noticed that companies from Billings, Montana were coming to Miles City to perform tree services, and saw an opportunity. Mr. Kale knew that a local individual could compete with the Billings company because of lower costs and local reputation. Mr. Kale sought the services of the Small Business Development Center to start his tree service company, and with the loan of a local bank was able to purchase a bucket truck and other equipment and currently owns an operates his own small business.
“A Cheyenne Voice”
Northern Cheyenne Tribal Member, Clara Caulfield, became frustrated over the lack of media coverage on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. With the help of the Small Business Development Center, Ms. Caulfield applied for and received an Indianprenuer grant to purchase printers and start her own weekly newspaper. During the first few months advertising revenue, and circulation grew exponentially with over 800 copies printed weekly and readership over double that amount. Ms. Caulfield continues to utilize the small business development center to streamline operations and find new advertisers.
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