Big Sky Economic Development Authority [EDA], the public agency, evolved from the Montana TradePort Authority, launched in 1989, by the Yellowstone County Board of Commissioners. Big Sky Economic Development Corporation [EDC], the private business side, was started in 2002. EDC has 100 member investor companies involved in recruitment, retention, legislative issues and finance.

SERVICES & DEPARTMENTS

• Finance & Tax Incentives
  Big Sky EDC offers both long-term fixed rate SBA 504 loan packages that typically require 10% owner equity, and revolving loan gap financing. Ask about Tax Incentive programs.
• Business Recruitment
  Big Sky EDC promotes Yellowstone County to industry sectors including medical, technology, energy, and manufacturing.
• Business Retention - BEAR
  Business Expansion And Retention helps match businesses with volunteers, who are professionals in their field, to identify challenges and solutions. It is free and confidential.
• Business Services - Small Business Development Center
  offers confidential one-on-one financial, operations and planning consulting to startup and established businesses at no cost.
• Community Development
  seeks funding on behalf of county agencies and nonprofit organizations, administers grants and facilitates projects. Free grant training offered.
• The One Hundred Member Investors
  Big Sky EDC has 100 Business Member Investors. The business sector is critical in influencing government economic policies and attracting new business.
• MT Procurement Technical Assistance Center
  helps with the process between government agencies and MT companies that want to sell products and services to government.
• MT Manufacturing Extension Center
  is a statewide manufacturing outreach and assistance center staffed by engineers with extensive experience in manufacturing.