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.

Summer is peak season for a lot of food businesses. Demand at markets, festivals, and wholesale accounts picks up fast, ...
06/18/2026

Summer is peak season for a lot of food businesses. Demand at markets, festivals, and wholesale accounts picks up fast, and the producers who can consistently deliver at scale are the ones who build lasting customer relationships. Scaling without the right setup behind you can create more problems than the growth is worth.

MMFEC's certified commercial kitchen in Ronan is built for food businesses ready to grow. Whether you're looking to increase batch sizes, launch a new product line, or meet a wholesale order you'd otherwise have to turn down, our facility and team are here to help you produce with confidence.

If your food business is ready to step up this summer, let's talk. Learn how MMFEC can support your production goals at missionwestcdp.org/food-enterprise-center

Downtown Ronan has always had character. What it hasn't always had is a dedicated team with the resources and staff to p...
06/16/2026

Downtown Ronan has always had character. What it hasn't always had is a dedicated team with the resources and staff to push revitalization forward at real speed. This spring, Mission West took over coordination of the Montana Main Street Program in Ronan, absorbing the work of the all-volunteer Ronan Revitalization Committee and bringing focused, paid staff capacity to a program that's been building momentum for years.

The Main Street Approach is a nationally recognized framework built on four pillars: economic vitality, promotion, design, and organization. In Ronan, that means working to attract and strengthen downtown businesses, improve the physical environment of Main Street, build community events and promotion, and create the partnerships that make it all stick. Mission West recently attended the National Main Street Conference and is already working with the City of Ronan and community partners on active projects.

If you own or operate a downtown Ronan business, or you're a community member who wants to see Main Street thrive, Mission West wants to hear from you. Reach out to get involved at missionwestcdp.org

Rural Montana communities deserve access to the same quality and variety of food as anywhere else. But for businesses in...
06/11/2026

Rural Montana communities deserve access to the same quality and variety of food as anywhere else. But for businesses in the food retail supply chain, serving those communities often comes with real financial barriers. Getting stocked, staying stocked, and growing capacity all cost money that traditional lenders aren't always set up to provide.

Mission West was awarded a $3 million USDA grant to launch the Montana Local Food Financing Partnership (MLFFP), a program built specifically for businesses in the food retail supply chain serving rural and underserved communities. Eligible businesses include grocery stores, food co-ops, food hubs, and CSA programs that offer a full range of food products and serve SNAP-eligible customers. The program offers credit enhancements including collateral support and interest rate reductions, grant match funding, and one-on-one technical assistance from Mission West's team. If you're in the food retail supply chain and you've been looking for the right financial support, this was built for you.

Contact Mission West's business development team to find out if your operation qualifies at missionwestcdp.org/business-development-center/mlffp

Flathead cherries are one of Western Montana's most prized local crops, and the harvest window doesn't give you much roo...
06/09/2026

Flathead cherries are one of Western Montana's most prized local crops, and the harvest window doesn't give you much room to figure things out on the fly. Whether you're managing an orchard, prepping a backyard haul, or building a food product around local cherries, getting them pitted efficiently makes the difference between a productive season and a stressful one.

MMFEC's Cherry Pitting Service is open now for scheduling. Options for freezing and dehydrating. Spots fill up fast, so booking ahead is strongly recommended. Contact Jennifer Ruggless at MMFEC to reserve your time.

MMFEC is also hosting two Community Cherry Pitting Days this summer: Saturday August 1st and Saturday August 15th, with a 500 lb maximum per visit. Bring your cherries and the team takes care of the rest.

Reserve your spot now at missionwestcdp.org/food-enterprise-center/cherry-pitting-service

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

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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