Building Opportunities, Growing Communities
Regional Development Goals
Discover SEMDC's Regional Growth Plan
The Southeastern Montana Development Corporation Economic Development District (EDD) is comprised of the four counties of Rosebud, Powder River, Treasure, and Custer in southeastern Montana. The area covers 13,280 square miles (approximately the same geographical area as the state of Maryland) while the area’s population is approximately 22,000 persons. The population density is sparse with only 1.4 people per square mile.
SEMDC collaborates with the four counties and five municipalities in the region to prepare a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Input is gathered annually to update the CEDS document and adjust goals and plans for the region.
Coal County Economic Growth
Plan for a Prosperous Future
With the changes in the coal industry, SEMDC is working to participate with the newly formed Coal Country Coalition in Montana as well as implementing efforts to diversify the economy in Colstrip and the surrounding region. In 2016, during a CEDS update meeting, a need to create an economic diversification plan was identified as a goal of the community. Work began toward completing that effort and in 2017, the Colstrip Economic Diversification Strategy was completed.
Coal Region Impact
Southeastern Montana Development Corporation, Big Sky Economic Development Corporation, Beartooth RC & D, and Snowy Mountain Development Corporation formed the Coal Country Coalition to assess the impacts the changes in the coal industry would have on their region and the State of Montana. That coalition had a study completed by Taimerica Management Company to assess impacts and facilitate future planning. That study and a summary can be found by clicking the button below.
Southeastern Montana Development in Spotlight
Southeastern Montana Development Highlights
The SEMDC CEDS process was featured on the Best Practices section of the National Association of Development Organizations website. Click on the photo at right to view that information.
