Business Chitchat Headwaters RC&D/Butte Local Development Corporation (BLDC)

Jen DeLong and Lisa Howell, owners of Recreate Climbing + Fitness in Butte, Montana talk to us about what it takes to bring to life a dream. Their story is one of grit, determination, aligned timing, and lots of trust. In this episode, you’ll hear about their do’s and don’ts, and their wins and failures. They share their best tips for entrepreneurship and scaling the walls of what is possible for your business.

How can you make the most of the USDA Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program? Marlee Johnston of USDA and Headwaters Food and Ag Development (FADC) Director, Karley Carter share with us how Headwaters and USDA can help you be a successful grant applicant for this critical food and ag grant program!

How can you use USDA’s Value Added Producer Grants (VAPG) or Montana’s Growth Through Agriculture Program (GTA) to grow your ag business? Cari Verlanic of Farmer Boy Eggs in Drummond shares with us how they have used grants to grow!

Dawn Conklin, Executive Director of Trust Montana, shares with us the community land trust model and how Trust Montana is working to bring affordable housing solutions to Montana. How can we make housing affordable for teachers, farmers, ranchers, nurses, and emergency responders? How can we keep Montana’s rural cities affordable? Learn about this and more!

When should your business consider a loan? How much do you need for a downpayment? What can you get ready for the loan process? How can you work with a bank? Learn from Jess Pendleton, Our Director of Loan Services, Kerry Taylor our loan assistant, and Courtney Loeffler, the Regional Director of our Small Business Development Center (SBDC) on how to prepare for a loan and all things getting your business ready for a loan.

What does your business need to export or import goods? How can you set your business up for foreign direct investment (FDI)? Are their grants available for foreign trade? In this episode, Brigitta Miranda-Freer of the Montana World Trade Center answers all questions related to international trade and explains how the Montana World Trade Center can help your business navigate it with ease and confidence.