July 2024 Newsletter

Dear Mission West Community,

Happy belated Fourth of July! I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend. My family and I took in the parade in Polson, and it was fantastic! It was great to see so many local businesses participating and to run into familiar faces.

I'm stepping in as a guest writer for this month's newsletter opener with some exciting news for our region. I'm thrilled to announce that we were recently awarded a $1.25 million MT Pilot Community Tourism Grant from the Montana Department of Commerce. This is a unique grant opportunity for us, as it involves a collaborative approach with a steering committee that will play a key role in identifying and guiding the program's projects.

The overall purpose of this grant is to support the revitalization of downtowns across our region. We'll be kicking things off in Ronan, where Mission West has been working closely with the Ronan Revitalization Group and the City of Ronan. This collaboration secured the funding and paved the way for the completion of a comprehensive downtown master plan and economic development strategic plan.

This Ronan project is a perfect example of the ripple effect that can occur when we work together. Securing the grant is a fantastic win for the Ronan and the regional community, but it's also a testament to the power of collaboration. These "wins" create momentum and pave the way for even bigger strides in the future.

Phase two of the MT Pilot Community Tourism Grant will focus on readying other downtowns for revitalization. Mission West will work with additional communities to conduct planning initiatives and foster community engagement. This will ensure a community led and well-coordinated regional approach to revitalization that benefits all of us and creates an inviting atmosphere for visitors and residents alike.

Stay tuned for more updates on the MT Pilot Community Tourism Grant and the exciting developments it will bring to our region's downtowns! In the meantime, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out.

Here's to a thriving summer for all!

Sincerely,

Brenna O’Sullivan-Fulks 

Deputy Executive Director & CED Director

(406) 676-5914 | Brenna.fulks@missionwestcdp.org

Missionwestcdp.org | LinkedIn

P.S. Read on! We have a new Business Development Manager, a teammate who crushed a marathon, and we're hiring a Program Coordinator for our CED Center. Plus, we're conducting a short business survey to tailor our services to your needs. All below!

Elevate Your Day or Night With Voxy Shrub

Mission West Community Development Partners is proud to highlight the success of a current client, Voxy Shrubs, owned by Mara Veale. Voxy Shrubs officially launched their family-owned business in December 2023.

Mara and her husband purchased land in Polson (known as BEN Orchards) 11 years ago and began planting apple and cherry trees 5 years later. In late 2023, the abundance of wild cherries prompted Mara to seek guidance from Mission West.

Through a meeting with the Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center (MMFEC), Mara discovered the potential of using her cherries to create shrub, a fruit vinegar syrup. The MMFEC facility will soon facilitate the washing, processing, pitting, and storage of Mara's cherries.

Voxy Shrubs currently offers two shrub flavors: elderberry and mint, both infused with local honey apple cider vinegar and, of course, Flathead cherries. While navigating the challenges of starting a farm-based business (Mara is also a nurse, mother of three, and her husband is a firefighter!), Mara's dedication and family support are propelling Voxy Shrubs towards a promising future. In her own words, Mara acknowledges the crucial role MMFEC staff played in making Voxy Shrubs a reality.

Consumers can learn more about Voxy Shrubs at www.feelingvoxy.com

Mission West Participates in M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Board Development Training in Vancouver, WA

Mission West is committed to continuous improvement, and that extends to our leadership at all levels! On June 10th and 11th, our Executive Director, Jan Tusick, Deputy Executive Director, Brenna O'Sullivan-Fulks, Board Chair, Roxanne Duckworth, and Vice Chair, Carissa McNamara, participated in a valuable Board Development training offered by the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust in Vancouver, WA.

This intensive two-day program focused on equipping our leadership team with the skills and strategies they need to further strengthen Mission West Community Development Partners. Through this training, our board and leadership will gain a deeper understanding of effective governance practices, fostering collaboration, and achieving strategic goals.

We extend a sincere thank you to Ron King (M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Trainer), Romanita Hairston (CEO, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust), and the entire M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust team for their expertise and dedication to supporting nonprofit organizations.

Coop Development Program Manager Takes Home Impressive Finish

Our staff are always chasing goals in and outside the office! We wanted to share some kudos to our Cooperative Development Program Manager, Blake, for running the Anchorage Mayor's Marathon in Anchorage, Alaska on Saturday, June 22. He finished the 26.2 miles in 3:07:52 and placed 17th out of 737 runners and second in his age group! This was Blake's 5th marathon in the ambitious goal of completing a marathon in every state. Crushing it, Blake!

Mission West Welcomes Westyn Kiehn to the Team!

We would like to introduce our newest team member in our Community Economic Development Center, Westyn Kiehn. Westyn is the New Business Development Manager here at Mission West Community Development Partners. He will be taking on a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to new client intake, outreach, and workshop development and scheduling. Westyn is originally from Ronan, graduating from Ronan High School in 2010, and holds his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Montana.

Over the past two and a half years, he served as the North and South-Central Montana Area Health Education Center Program Specialist at the Montana Hospital Association in Helena. In this role, Westyn focused on outreach initiatives and collaborated closely with high schools, post-secondary education institutions, and healthcare facilities throughout the state to assist students interested in pursuing healthcare careers. His efforts in this role have fostered a deep passion for capacity building, grant management, and community development, shaping his commitment to make a positive impact in these areas.

When he isn’t in the office, you can probably find Westyn spending time with his nieces and nephews, fly fishing, hiking, or attending sporting events (usually baseball games).

Work with Westyn! Email westyn.kiehn@missionwestcdp.org

Mission West and Western Montana Growers Cooperative represented the Northwest Food Hub Network at the Montana School Nutrition Association Conference in Billings

41 Grains from Circle, Montana, a client of Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center, recently showcased their products at the prestigious 2024 Fancy Food Show held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center was well-represented by Joel Carlson, Facility Manager, who attended the show to support 41 Grains.

41 Grains grows and mills Chickpeas into flour and has created 14 different baking mixes ranging from a chocolate chip cookie mix to a Pancake and waffle mix. To see more of their story and what they do check out their website at 41grains.com.

Take our Survey!

Are you a local business owner, passionate about making your mark in our community? We're on a mission to expand our services and tailor them directly to your needs!

Take a quick 5-minute survey to share your thoughts. This survey is designed specifically for local businesses. We'll ask about your specific challenges and goals, your interest in workshops (including preferred times!), and the type of technical assistance (think business coaching) that would be most valuable to you. We'll also ask for any additional services you'd love to see us offer.

Your voice matters! By taking the survey, you'll help us shape our future offerings to directly address your needs and propel your business forward. Don't forget, most of our services are free!

Click the button below to take the survey and help us grow together!

Mission West is Hiring a Program Coordinator

The Opportunity

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Program Coordinator to join our Community Economic Development Department. In this role, you will play a vital role in supporting two key programs:

• Business Development Program: You will be responsible for coordinating workshops and trainings, a cornerstone of our support for local entrepreneurs. This includes creating calendars, securing instructors, promoting events, and gathering feedback. You will also support the coordination of our Expert Network, a program that connects businesses with a talented pool of contracted technical assistance professionals.



• Tourism Program: You will provide essential support to the Tourism Steering Committee, coordinating meetings and ensuring effective communication among members.

Mission West Community Development Partners

Call us at 406-676-5901

407 Main St. SW | Ronan, MT 59864

MWCDP is an equal opportunity provider and employer