Western Montana's Regional Innovation Grant

What are Regional Innovation Grants?
The US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA), has awarded the Montana Department of Labor and Industry a Regional Innovation Grant (RIG). ETA states, “By the term of the grant…strategic planning activities will result in a completed regional implementation plan, supported by secured resources and short and long term talent development strategies…”

Why does the ETA fund and encourage regional strategies?

1. To establish and build a regional identity across multiple jurisdictions;
2. To leverage and align public and private investments;
3. To support the regional economy through innovative and effective talent development;
4. To promote and strengthen strategies that focus on infrastructure, investment and talent development and optimize innovation and economic prosperity.

Why are we doing it?
Montana has already demonstrated success in participating in the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) program in eastern counties. This Regional Innovation Grant extends that opportunity to regional leaders in Ravalli, Missoula, Mineral, Lake, Sanders, Flathead and Lincoln counties. The region will place special emphasis on the changing wood products industry and plan for the budding restoration economy. We will revitalize and grow our economies by aligning, building and strengthening existing partnerships and plans and develop the talent pool which can support current, new and emerging initiatives.

Goals: The grant provides resources for several vital goals:

1. Facilitate current and new partnerships to identify resources and strategies available to Montana’s Western Region. Partners will include workers and industry as well as education, economic development, and workforce system professionals;
2. Foster the development of a regional identity;
3. Gather and share data and information from stakeholders;
   1. What are priorities?
   2. What contributes to an economic region?
   3. Identify resources that a region can leverage and align to support talent development.
4. Implement strategies to stimulate positive economic growth and capitalize on workforce capacity.
5. Create a core group of key regional leaders.

Specific Work Products:

1. Build a regional knowledge base and consensus around industry needs and actions to support those needs.
2. Develop benchmarks, timelines, resource/asset mapping, evaluation methods and roles and responsibilities for all parties.
3. Build sustainability through identification and securing of resources.
4. Establish an infrastructure to support a regional approach to workforce, economic and educational development that will sustain efforts to promote and create diverse economies throughout the region.
5. Final product will include a written document outlining the process, recommendations and action plan for implementation.

For more information, read the article in Fall 2008 article in Main Street Montana (RIG Grant)

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Contacts:
Pat Hulla ~ Phone: (406) 756-3909 ~ Email: phulla@mt.gov
Debbie Krantz ~ Phone: (406) 883-7880 ~ Email: dkrantz@mt.gov
Kay Strayer ~ Phone: (406) 444-9081 ~ Email: kstrayer@mt.gov