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About Us
Our Organization
We are a group of concerned counties and communities in Southeastern Montana who came together to provide local financial support for economic development. The group formed the Southeastern Montana Development Corporation (SEMDC) and has been providing services since July 1997. This joint participation of counties and communities allows for synergy and prevents duplication of efforts while providing an agency locally to receive funding and administer services for economic development. Current supporting members of the Southeastern Montana Development Corporation are Custer, Powder River, Rosebud, and Treasure Counties; included in the counties are the cities of Colstrip, Forsyth, and Miles City; and the towns of Broadus and Hysham.
Southeastern Montana Development Corporation (SEMDC) has had a non-profit tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 status from the IRS since it merged with the Treasure Foundation in 1998. Copies of the SEMDC Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, and Revolving Loan Fund Policy/Procedures, can be supplied upon request.
Our Organization
We are a group of concerned counties and communities in Southeastern Montana who came together to provide local financial support for economic development. The group formed the Southeastern Montana Development Corporation (SEMDC) and has been providing services since July 1997. This joint participation of counties and communities allows for synergy and prevents duplication of efforts while providing an agency locally to receive funding and administer services for economic development. Current supporting members of the Southeastern Montana Development Corporation are Custer, Powder River, Rosebud, and Treasure Counties; included in the counties are the cities of Colstrip, Forsyth, and Miles City; and the towns of Broadus and Hysham.
Southeastern Montana Development Corporation (SEMDC) has had a non-profit tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 status from the IRS since it merged with the Treasure Foundation in 1998. Copies of the SEMDC Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, and Revolving Loan Fund Policy/Procedures, can be supplied upon request.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of Southeastern Montana Development Corporation (SEMDC) includes a representative from each government (four Counties and five Cities/Towns), appointed by that government entity. Two members represent two unincorporated communities (Ashland and the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation), appointed by the county. One member represents Treasure Development, one member represents the Miles City Area Economic Development Council (MCAEDC), one member representing Chief Dull Knife College, and the Board of Directors appoints two at-large members for a total of sixteen Directors. The Board of Directors is comprised of nine (9) elected officials (63%), plus one elected official representing and appointed by the Northern Cheyenne Indian Tribe and five private citizens (37%). Currently, twelve (12) men (80%) and three (3) women (20%) are serving on the Board. Minority representation is currently two (2) Directors (14%) which is consistent with District percentages. Each Director is assigned one or two areas of interest to represent the district. The board meets quarterly or as needed. They have the final vote and/or authority directing the staff and projects.
Service Area
The Southeastern Montana Development Corporations district is comprised of the four counties of Rosebud, Powder River, Treasure, and Custer. Covering 13,280 square miles (approximately the same geographical area as the state of Maryland), the area’s population is about 22,000, the density is sparse with only 1.4 people per square mile.
basic services
Business Services
SEMDC provides free and confidential business counseling to both start-up and existing businesses. Since 1997, SEMDC has counseled over 1,819 clients, created or retained over 1,191 jobs and has been involved with project funding / impact of nearly $92 million dollars. The SEMDC service region has access to the regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted by Miles Community College (MCC). SEMDC has a productive working relationship with SBDC Director, Elizabeth Smith.
*Provides access to and supports business training classes on a variety of subjects throughout the year.
Financial Services
SEMDC currently has access to Seven (7) different "participation financing" programs for the small business community. SEMDC Loan Officer, Amber Hert provides a funding link between the banking and small business communities to make deals happen and thus creating economic activity in the private sector. Since 2010, SEMDC has made direct loans of over $5.2 million while partnering with area financial institutions. SEMDC continues to Collaborate with the regional banks verses Competing.
SEMDC also has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in place with the Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation (EPEDC). This mutually beneficial partnership allows SEMDC to provide RLF administration and services to EPEDC and its service region of Five (5) addition counties.
Community Services
Community Services Director, Julie Emmons-Stoddard, and Sarah Kisman, Grant Administrator provide grant writing and administrative services to the public sector (Members) within the SEMDC service region. Since 2010, projects / clients in the SEMDC service region have been awarded grants of over $58.1 million.
SEMDC also provides critical and usually exclusive assistance to numerous community and regional planning documents and meetings, such as the five-year regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), completed in late 2022. Other planning documents include the annual CEDS Community Recaps, CRDC / EDA Annual Reports, the SEMDC Infrastructure Needs List, the ongoing Colstrip Economic Diversification Strategy and various city / county Growth and CIP Plans.
Advocacy Services
*SEMDC interacts with local elected officials, including state legislators and the Montana congressional delegation to provide key economic information and "boots on the ground" testimony on several issues.
*Help organize and host special events like the 21st Annual Energy Open Conference and Golf Tournament, MEDA Conferences, organizational conferences, and numerous training classes all in an effort to highlight and promote economic activity and opportunity in eastern Montana.
*Distribute Community Impact Funding in Rosebud County as provided by NextEra Resources, Grid United, Avista Foundation and the Colstrip Impact Foundation.
*Assist with personal and business recruitment within the region, including our new Regional Marketing and Rebranding Campaign with www.MontanaMadePossible.com .
*SEMDC has partnered with numerous groups to create and be active in Four (4) Coalitions, in-order to leverage scarce resources (time, effort, and funding) in eastern Montana.
Southeastern Montana Development Corporation Staff
Jim Atchison Executive Director
Amber Hert Administrative Services Director & Loan Officer
Julie Emmons Stoddard Community Services Director
Julie Emmons Stoddard Community Services Director
Amber Hert Administrative Services Director & Loan Officer
Julie Emmons Stoddard Community Services Director
Amber Hert Administrative Services Director & Loan Officer
Amber Hert Administrative Services Director & Loan Officer
Amber Hert Administrative Services Director & Loan Officer
Sarah Kisman Grant Administrator
Amber Hert Administrative Services Director & Loan Officer
Amber Hert Administrative Services Director & Loan Officer
