This guidebook was developed by the Beartooth Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc. which serves a 5 county area.  This area is home to numerous artisans and craftsmen, including Native American artisans on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations.  The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of the Big Sky Economic Development Authority estimates there are 2,000 small cottage industry businesses operating in the five county service area of the Beartooth RC&D.  The guidebook is designed to be the operating manual for small businesses to learn the mechanics of setting up a cooperative effort.  The Beartooth RC&D and the SBDC were partners on this project.  Financial support for this project came through USDA Rural Development and US West.

How to Start a Craft Cooperative

A Guide Book
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David Davidson, Carbon County Commissioner and Beartooth RC&D Board Member, had the pleasure of presenting the Joliet Fire Department with a check for $3,000. The grant was awarded from the Billings Breakfast Exchange Club, as the result of an application James Klessens submitted on behalf of the Department.

Local firemen proudly talk about the new equipment, noting that the TNT brand is the same type of equipment that was used at Ground Zero. They also added that by purchasing factory reconditioned equipment they could save about a third on the total cost and the community had been great in being willing to contribute to the purchase with donations totaling about $5,000.

The City of Billings recently was invited by the U.S. Department of Commerce to submit a full application for funding to assist in keeping SYSCO of Montana’s corporate presence in Billings. The project is a perfect example of the teamwork which is necessary to make economic development a reality in our region.

SYSCO is a major employer in the area, employing 466 full time positions. At the time of this writing, full time and seasonal positions total 544 persons. The company represents a significant portion of the employment in the whole sale trade sector, a sector which provides roughly 10% of labor earnings to the region. SYSCO is the largest food distribution company in the United States.

The company is landlocked at its current location on Daniels Street and truly experiencing growth pains. SYSCO grew from 4.3 million cases handled in 1991 to nearly 10 million in 2001. That rate of growth is anticipated to continue for years to come. Because of the severe space limitations, Company CEO and President Pat Burton was directed by the corporate office to seek another location.

In stepped Billings City Administrator Dennis Taylor, the Finance Director Bob Keefe and Joe McClure of Big Sky EDA to craft a deal to make the project work. After many meetings and many iterations of possible solutions, the outline of a plan was developed. In this plan, the City will vacate most of its Edwards Street presence, essentially moving its operation to a new site on South Billings Boulevard. SYSCO will purchase the City property and expand in that direction.

The RC&D Economic Development District was asked to assist in positioning a $1,271,761 proposal to EDA to aid the city in completing the deal. As the city was already committing approximately $22.5 million in the move, it seemed reasonable to ask the assistance of EDA for the project. EDA was amenable and with the capable assistance of John Rogers, EDA’s lone Montana representative and Sharon Peterson of Senator Max Baucus’s office, the pre-application faired well and the project was invited.

The RC&D staff just completed the full application for the project.

This project’s success is a function of numerous entities working together to find a workable solution to a community problem. Many, many people participated, provided information and incentives to clinch the deal to keep SYSCO in town. It really draws attention to the fact that no single entity is able to make the impact that can be made if all people work together.

The RC&D has enjoyed playing a significant role in this project and continuing effort to stabilize the area economy.

Already the busiest non-commercial, general aviation airport in Eastern Montana, the Laurel Municipal Airport continues to fulfill it's apparent destiny. Location has been a mixed bag over the years, being situated close to Logan International has kept the profile of this field low key and, at the same time, Laurel has been the recipient of the overflow for area aviators. The latest development in overflow has been the well publicized move of the Flight School for Rocky Mountain College's Aviation Program to Laurel.

Dr. John Smith, Chairman of the Laurel Airport Authority  is committed to the vision that is daily gaining momentum and has asked Beartooth for general planning assistance beginning with creation of a website.. In 2000 work began on the expansion of the facilities which included building a new runway that is 5200' long by 75' wide with a new taxiway and apron. All the old taxi lanes have been rebuilt in the existing hanger area. A new hanger area has also been added. The runway will soon be approved for instrument use. The Airport Authority leases the land for the construction of hangers. "Non Commercial Storage Only" sites are now ready for lease. These sites vary in size according to need. Commercial sites are also available on the apron area. For leasing details contact Dr. John Smith at 406-628-4595, online at JSmithMt@aol.com or write to him at 419 West 8th Street, Laurel, MT 59044.