BLDC presents five-year strategic plan to council, outlines business recruitment and workforce goals

Kelly Sullivan, executive director of the Butte Local Development Corporation (BLDC), presented the BLDC's recently completed five-year strategic plan and asked the council to schedule a fuller presentation on March 4. The plan, developed with Stonerock Business Solutions and community engagement (more than 225 survey responses), identifies target sectors (manufacturing; tech-adjacent and engineering services; retail and services; family-friendly entertainment; outdoor recreation support businesses; and entrepreneurial startups) and seven strategic goals to guide economic development through 2030.

Sullivan outlined goals that include strengthening BLDC governance and capacity, increasing membership value and engagement, recruiting and retaining targeted businesses, expanding entrepreneurial supports including access to capital and a possible accelerator, promoting community revitalization and infrastructure investment, enhancing workforce development programs, and strengthening partnerships and regional alignment with Butte-Silver Bow planning, Headwaters and Montana Tech. She said milestones include recruiting a business recruitment position (by FY 2028), aligning strategies with the Uptown Butte master plan, launching employer roundtables in 2026, and semiannual public status reports.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about attachments and Brownfields-related funding. Sullivan said she would resend the plan attachment and noted a coalition Brownfields grant application (led by Melissa Wanamaker) for $1.5 million is pending; Sullivan said BLDC will coordinate with Headwaters and county planning on implementation. Commissioners thanked BLDC for community engagement and asked staff to follow up on attachments and implementation steps.