Alphabet Soup
Every industry has its own trade language and can be difficult to navigate without a "cheat sheet" of some sort. Below is a list of the most common acronyms used in Montana economic development:
BIA – Bureau of Indian Affairs
BLM – Bureau of Land Management
BRCD – Beartooth RC&D
BSED – Big Sky Economic Development
BSTF – Big Sky Trust Fund
CDBG – Community Development Block Grant
CRDC – Certified Regional Development Corporation
CEDS – Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
EDA – Economic Development Administration
EDD – Economic Development District
FMPP – Farmers Market Promotion Program (USDA)
FPEP – Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (USDA)
GIS – Geographic Information Systems
GTA – Growth Through Ag grant (MT Dept of Ag)
HOME – Home Investment Partnerships Program (HUD/MT DOC)
HUD – US Department of Housing and Urban Development
IRP – Intermediary Relending Program
MBOI – Montana Board of Investments
MCEP (TSEP) – MT Coal Endowment Program (previously Treasure State Endowment Program)
MDOC – Montana Department of Commerce
MDLI – Montana Dept. of Labor and Industry
MDA – Montana Dept. of Agriculture
MDOT – Montana Dept. of Transportation
MDFWP – Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks
MEDA – Montana Economic Developers Association
NADO – National Association of Development Organizations
NRCS – Natural Resource Conservation Service
NSFP – National School Food Program (USDA)
RBDG – Rural Business Development Grant (USDA)
RC&D – Resource Conservation & Development Area, Inc.
RCDI – Rural Community Development Initiative (USDA)
RD – Rural Development (a division of USDA)
RLF – Revolving Loan Fund
RMAP – Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (USDA)
SBA – Small Business Administration
SBDC – Small Business Development Center
SSBCI – State Small Business Credit Initiative
TIF – Tax Increment Finance District
TEDD – Targeted Economic Development District
USDA – United States Department of Agriculture
USFS – United States Forest Service
VAPG – Value-Added Producer Grant (USDA)