Mission West Community Development Partners

Mission West Community Development Partners Mission West is an active collaborator in economic development efforts in Mineral and Sanders counties and the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Mission West Community Development Partners (formerly LCCDC) is a Regional Economic Development Organization established to provide Leadership, Community and Economic Development. Founded in March 1995 as a 501-C(3) nonprofit organization, Mission West Community Development Partners (formerly Lake County Community Development Corporation) is a regional economic development organization established

to provide leadership, community and economic development efforts and to address growth issues as they affect residents, communities and the quality of life in the region we serve. Our mission is to enhance the quality life and sustainable economic well-being of all residents of the communities we serve. If you are an existing business seeking funding for expansion or efficiencies, an entrepreneur with a new business idea, or you are looking for financial support, Mission West has a strong track record of successful projects, weathering tough times with our clients and providing training and development opportunities to assist them in business decisions. Mission West’s Business Development Center has provided on-on-one technical assistance to hundreds of entrepreneurs, micro or small business owners during the past five years. Additionally, we host free workshops and training events throughout the region. Our Community Development Center works on infrastructure, housing, public spaces and other community projects. Our Cooperative Development Center works with new and existing co-ops to help with start-up, planning, capitalization and management. Our Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center (MMFEC) is a leader in food system and food hub economic development strategies and initiative throughout the state of Montana. The shared –use commercial kitchen and value-added food processing incubator helps food and value added enterprises overcome regulatory barriers; develop and manufacture products for retail markets, and gain market acceptance prior to graduating into their own facility. The facility is USDA, FDA and organically certified. MMFEC provides educational and training resources and opportunities for food and meat processors; helps start-up companies develop marketing and business plans, facilitate labels and process approval through state/county agencies. Mission West is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Tourism is one of the most impactful drivers of economic growth in rural Montana. But for businesses trying to expand, u...
06/04/2026

Tourism is one of the most impactful drivers of economic growth in rural Montana. But for businesses trying to expand, upgrade facilities, or build new tourism-focused offerings, finding affordable financing isn't always straightforward. Most lenders aren't set up to evaluate tourism projects the way they evaluate traditional small business loans.

Mission West administers the Tourism Development and Enhancement Revolving Loan Fund, a $3.5 million fund through the Montana Department of Commerce. Loans range from $5,000 to $250,000 at low interest rates with 5 to 10-year repayment terms. Eligible projects include lodging upgrades or expansion, development of cultural, recreational, or historical attractions, infrastructure improvements for tourism businesses, and enhancements to food and beverage operations. Preference is given to projects in rural and under-visited areas, which means businesses across Lake, Mineral, and Sanders Counties are well-positioned to qualify.

If you're running or building a tourism-focused business and you've been looking for the right financing, this is worth a conversation. Learn more and get in touch with Mission West at missionwestcdp.org/business-development-center

The 11th Annual Harvest on Main is coming August 27th, and there are still sponsorship opportunities available for busin...
06/02/2026

The 11th Annual Harvest on Main is coming August 27th, and there are still sponsorship opportunities available for businesses and organizations who want to be part of it. Sponsoring Harvest on Main puts your brand in front of the Western Montana community at one of the region's most visible annual events, with packages ranging from $500 to $5,000.

Sponsorship levels include Seed Sower ($500), Sprout Supporter ($750), Friend of the Farm ($1,000), Community Cultivator ($2,500), and Host of the Harvest ($5,000). Each level includes pre-event digital marketing, event signage with your logo, and verbal acknowledgement the night of the event. Higher levels include table seating, radio marketing, and logo placement on all printed materials.

If your business is looking for a meaningful way to invest in the community and get real visibility this summer, we'd love to have you on board. Reach out to Mission West today at missionwestcdp.org/farm-to-table

Long before it was known as Farm to Table, Mission West's annual dinner had a different name: Harvest on Main. This year...
05/29/2026

Long before it was known as Farm to Table, Mission West's annual dinner had a different name: Harvest on Main.

This year it's returning to its beginnings. The celebration is the same one Western Montana has shown up for year after year, and the heart of it hasn't changed. It's still an evening rooted in local food, community, and the people who make this region run. The name just takes it back to where it all started.

Harvest on Main takes place Thursday, August 27th, 2026 from 5pm to 9pm at 407 Main Street in Ronan. Expect a fully local meal prepared by the MMFEC crew, drinks from Ronan Cooperative Brewery, live music from the Western Montana Music Cooperative, and a live auction with Tomy Parker.

Tickets are available now. Get yours and learn more at missionwestcdp.org/farm-to-table

For a lot of small businesses, summer is when everything speeds up. More customers, more orders, more opportunities, and...
05/26/2026

For a lot of small businesses, summer is when everything speeds up. More customers, more orders, more opportunities, and more pressure on cash flow, staffing, and capacity. The ones that come out ahead in September are usually the ones that took time in May to think through what growth actually requires.

Mission West works with business owners to help them assess where they are and what they need before the busy season hits. Whether that means reviewing financials, exploring financing options, or building a clearer plan for the months ahead, we help businesses go into summer with their eyes open and a strategy in place.

If summer growth is on your radar, spring is the right time to have that conversation. Learn how Mission West can help at missionwestcdp.org/business-development-center

Building a value-added food business takes more than a great product. Food safety compliance, facility assessments, prod...
05/21/2026

Building a value-added food business takes more than a great product. Food safety compliance, facility assessments, product development guidance, and financing expertise are all part of getting a food business to the next level, and the cost of that specialized knowledge can be a real barrier for small producers.

The Business Enhancement Program (BEP) through the Montana Department of Agriculture supports food businesses that sell value-added products or operate in processing, distributing, or aggregating food. The program connects businesses with planning assistance and specialized expertise at little to no expense. Mission West's food and ag team can help you access BEP resources and connect you with the right support in product development, food safety training, and more.

If you're ready to take your food business to the next level, BEP might be exactly what you've been looking for. Reach out to Mission West's food and ag team at missionwestcdp.org/food-enterprise-center

Montana's food system is changing, and the 2026 Governor's Summit on Local Food and Agriculture is where producers, buye...
05/19/2026

Montana's food system is changing, and the 2026 Governor's Summit on Local Food and Agriculture is where producers, buyers, distributors, and community partners will come together to shape what that future looks like. The Summit is scheduled for October 23-24, 2026 in Helena, and registration is opening soon.

Mission West has been a planning partner for this Summit from the start, helping organize regional listening sessions earlier this spring that gathered community perspectives on local food production and distribution across Western Montana. The input from those sessions is helping build the roadmap toward the 33x33 for Montana Initiative's goal of getting 33% of Montana's food grown in-state by 2033.

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for registration details. To stay connected with Mission West and our food systems work, visit missionwestcdp.org/cooperative-development-center

Every spring, Mission West joins the national Farm to School movement through Marinara Madness, a campaign that connects...
05/14/2026

Every spring, Mission West joins the national Farm to School movement through Marinara Madness, a campaign that connects classrooms, cafeterias, and communities around locally grown food. This year, Mission West and partners visited schools in Hamilton, Superior, and Great Falls to host taste tests and celebrate what's possible when local agriculture meets the school lunch program.

At the heart of it is the Montana Marinara, 1,700 cases of which were produced at MMFEC and delivered to over 140 school districts across Montana in January. Mission West is also developing a new cherry bar made with locally-grown Flathead cherries for K-12 breakfast programs. These projects are a real example of how food infrastructure, partnerships, and community investment create lasting impact.

If you're a food producer interested in connecting with school nutrition programs or scaling a food product, MMFEC can help you build the foundation. Learn more at missionwestcdp.org/mmfec

The window to apply for the AgWest New Producer Grant closes May 31, 2026. If you're a beginning agricultural producer, ...
05/12/2026

The window to apply for the AgWest New Producer Grant closes May 31, 2026. If you're a beginning agricultural producer, or planning to start within two years, this is one of the most accessible one-time funding opportunities available right now. The grant offers up to $15,000 to help new producers build their operation.

Eligibility is straightforward, you need two years or less of operational experience or plans to start within two years, an operation in AgWest's territory, and you can't be a current AgWest lending customer. Mission West can help you understand the requirements, review your materials, and make sure your application is as strong as possible before the deadline hits.

Don't let May 31 sneak up on you. Connect with Mission West now to get your application on track at missionwestcdp.org/business-development-center

Cherry season in Western Montana moves fast. For food producers working with local cherries, the window between harvest ...
05/07/2026

Cherry season in Western Montana moves fast. For food producers working with local cherries, the window between harvest and market is short, and production capacity can make or break a season. Getting equipment, certifications, and scheduling sorted before the fruit hits is the difference between a smooth run and a scramble.

MMFEC provides certified commercial kitchen space and production support to help food businesses make the most of cherry season. Whether you're processing preserves, developing new products, or scaling up an existing line, our facility and team are here to help you move quickly and confidently when the harvest arrives.

If cherry season is on your radar this year, now's the time to connect with MMFEC and get your production plan in place. Learn more at missionwestcdp.org/mmfec

Growing an agricultural product is one thing. Building the market connections, digital presence, and business infrastruc...
05/05/2026

Growing an agricultural product is one thing. Building the market connections, digital presence, and business infrastructure to expand it is another. For many Montana producers, that gap between a good product and a growing business is where things stall.

The Business Acceleration and Marketing (BAM) Program through the Montana Department of Agriculture helps agricultural businesses access new markets, fund early-stage expansion projects, and strengthen their digital and online presence. Applicants can receive up to $10,000 with a 50% cost-share, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis with review periods ending June 30 and September 30. Mission West's food and ag team can help you navigate the application and make the most of what's available.

If you've got a product ready to grow, the BAM Program is worth a look. Reach out to Mission West's food and ag team to get started at https://rebrand.ly/g5fdm43

Address

407 Main Street SW
Ronan, MT
59864

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+14066765901

Website

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