MCDC has helped hundreds of Montana entrepreneurs to realize success.
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June 12, 2008 Taking advantage of the increased tourism in the area, Thom Garret and Grace Doyle purchased the bed and breakfast formerly known as The Montana Hotel. The historic building, built in 1909 and remodeled in 1999, offers ten historically decorated rooms with handmade quilts, two old-fashioned porches, a dining patio and other charming features such as a rock fireplace, wooden floors and antique décor. In addition to their down payment, Thom and Grace used seller financing and an MCDC enterprise loan to purchase the business. Thom and Grace's business plan includes stepped up marketing and reliance on outside income for both Thom and Grace. Thom receives monthly income for 6-8 grade science curriculum development and Grace sells quilts and is active in national quilting associations. Grace not only features and sells her quilts at Ghost Rails Inn, but will use her connections in the national quilting industry to market quilting guild retreat packages at the Inn. In addition to their improved website and a more visible highway sign, Thom and Grace have partnered with local rafting, fishing and biking ventures to offer package vacations. Through these marketing plans The Ghost Rails Inn serves as a healthy anchor business for Alberton, bringing tourist dollars to this rural Montana town. www.ghostrailsinn.com Recent Success Stories >> Success Stories Archive >>
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Creating an Opportunity Economy
MCDC's strategic plan focuses on building an "opportunity economy," one that:
1. Leverages regional strengths to build and extend the relative prosperity of urban centers throughout the wider region;
2. Emphasizes entrepreneurial capacity at all levels - the individual, the business, the community and the region. Entrepreneurial capacity is not confined to the private sector but also marks the public sector and public-private partnerships.
3. Promotes equity for all residents of the region, emphasizing living-wage jobs; continual education and career training; and attention to those in the community who are in need.
