Montana CDC has helped hundreds of Montana entrepreneurs to realize success.
A Shot of International Ashot Oganesyan and wife, Michell Vang, are providing a niche market to the Missoula area. The young entrepreneurs started A Shot of International, LLC in December of 2010 and recently obtained a loan from Montana CDC to expand their international grocery store. Their store is the only place in Missoula that carries a variety of authentic food products imported from many countries around the world, specifically Russia, Europe and Asian countries. Having lived throughout Asia and Russia, Ashot saw a demand for ethnic foods in the Missoula community. Ashot has taken advantage of Montana CDC’s business tools by working extensively with Montana CDC’s Accounting Advisor to get the businesses financials set up for sustained growth as the word continues to spread on this niche market.
Plain Feather Construction Plain Feather Construction (PFC) is a commercial construction company in Billings that specializes in highway and utility work on reservations. Founded in 2009 by Wylon and Beth Plain Feather and Walter and Sheri Duffield, PFC has managed to grow their construction business in the midst of a deep recession.Wanting to grow their business and make it more profitable, PFC sought financing to purchase construction equipment rather than continuing to rent it on a job-by- job basis. Montana CDC worked out a financing package for PFC with the help of the Native American Development Corporation (NADC) in Billings.
Events Boutique Sonia Mussiett has been in the hospitality and hotel management business for over 25 years. In 2010, Sonia decided to take her passion for the hospitality industry to the next level, by opening her own events equipment rental shop. Needing advice and capital for her start-up business she came to Montana CDC for business consulting and financing. With a SBA microloan from Montana CDC, Sonia was able to put her dream into action and increase the economic vitality and entrepreneurial spirit of downtown Missoula. Events Boutique is an asset to the Missoula community, and is providing an unmet niche to the weddings and events market in Montana.
Comtech, Inc. Brothers Oli and Jon Trip of Billings were running their electronic retail business out of their home until 2007 when they decided to build a new showroom and warehouse. Founded in 2002, this family-owned business is a provider of fire and alarm systems, cable and satellite systems, and audio/video and theatre installation. Comtech had received a loan through their local community development organization, Big Sky Economic Development Authority, for construction costs, but needed additional financing after the recession hit their sales hard. Big Sky EDA referred the owners of Comtech to Montana CDC for business consulting and further financing.
Sunflower Montessori Katie Watterson and Correy Harrison are co-owners of Sunflower Montessori, an established and respected Missoula preschool and daycare. When the landlord put one of their buildings up for sale, Katie and Correy needed to act fast to avoid disruption of their business. Montana CDC recognized the huge impact Sunflower Montessori has in the Missoula community, where quality daycare is in short supply. Montana CDC acted fast with its business consulting services and an Montana CDC childcare loan, funded with CDFI American Recovery and Reinvestment Act financing.
Silvertip Retrievers In September 2008, Rob and Cindy Erhardt established Silvertip Retrievers, a competitive dog training business in the Flathead Reservation town of Ronan, Montana. With financing help from Montana CDC, Rob and Cindy Erhardt are able to competitively participate in training rotations around the Northwest. Field trial competitions hosted by Silvertip Retrievers brings tourist revenue to other businesses on the Reservation and contributes to the overall economic vitality of the rural area.
Bozeman Tree, Lawn & Landcape Care Jeff Pfeil, owner of Bozeman Tree, Lawn & Landscape Care, weathered the economic downturn with an Montana CDC loan, keeping 23 quality jobs in a rural area of Montana. Pfeil came to Montana CDC for assistance after he was unable to obtain permanent financing for the expansion of a new facility for his fast growing business. Montana CDC recognized the contributions Pfeil and his company made to the Bozeman community and found a way to help. With our statewide footprint, Montana CDC is increasingly able to identify and support those business owners who make a difference in their communities.
Vintage Cheese Darryl and Dwayne Heap are third generation artisan cheese manufacturers in Bozeman, Montana. After their grandfather’s cheese factory was sold in 1993, they realized how much they enjoyed making cheese and decided to reenter the cheese manufacturing industry. Montana CDC seized the opportunity to help a rural business develop by providing consulting and a loan to the Heap brothers. Small scale artisan manufacturers like Vintage Cheese create opportunities that diversify and strengthen the local agricultural industry.
The Hobby Garage When Ben Palmer of the Hobby Garage, a specialty hobby store in Helena that offers sales of remote control cars and planes, encountered obstacles in obtaining a traditional bank loan, he contacted the SBDC in Helena, Montana Business Assistance Connection. MBAC referred Palmer to Montana CDC, and Montana CDC stepped in to provide Palmer the financing and guidance to purchase and take over the hobby store. Due to both organizations’ efforts and Palmer’s dedication, there is now life put back into a vacant spot on Helena’s main stretch.
Captain Hook's Ice Cream Truck Nate and Shannon McEwen of Missoula used an Montana CDC microloan to help purchase their new ice cream truck. With its SBA microloan financing program, Montana CDC creates economic opportunities for first-time business owners like Nate and Shannon, allowing them to make their community a sweeter place to live.
Goomzee, Inc. How does a small Montana technology company get a piece of the exploding mobile advertising business? Just ask Mike Sparr, founder of mobile technology company Goomzee. By matching Goomzee’s innovative technology with Montana CDC’s innovative financing, Mike was able to transform his company from an e-commerce hosting business to a major player in the mobile advertising market.
Plains Physical Therapy Like other rural communities in Montana, Plains has a high percentage of its residents living below the poverty level. With the existence of Emily Herndon's new business, thousands of area residents now have access to essential and affordable health care services in their own town. By making essential services accessible in rural places Montana CDC helps keep our rural communities thriving.
Town & Country Foods, Inc. Montana CDC’s second New Markets Tax Project will bring a much needed grocery store to Bozeman’s Southside. Town & Country Foods Inc. is opening its second grocery store in a renovated movie theater using innovative and energy efficient building practices. The new store will offer low-cost organic and local foods. It will create 60 full-time jobs with excellent benefits including employee ownership options.
Missoula Batting Cages Baseball is at the heart of summer pastimes for American families across the country. Mike and Trina Dimmitt are keeping this pastime alive in Missoula by making their passion for baseball a family business.
Mismo Gymnastics Kelley Durbin opened Mismo Gymnastics in 2001 driven by a life-long love of gymnastics and a passion for coaching children. Mismo grew rapidly in popularity providing an exciting new athletic opportunity to hundreds of Missoula’s youth. But even with the growing numbers of students anxious to learn to flip and tumble, Mismo faced financial challenges.
Garlington Building in Downtown Missoula Montana CDC uses its New Markets Tax Credit Award to help revitilize downtown Missoula with a beautiful new LEED certified building for the downtown, providing employment opportunities and below-market rents for Missoula businesses.
Sapphire Assisted Living Robin Fleek of Great Falls was ready to expand her assisted living business. She opened Sapphire Inc. in 2001 founded on her dedication to provide a “home with assistance” in a cozy Victorian-style house. The attractive location and exceptional care kept Sapphire full to capacity with a growing waiting list since the doors opened.
