Beartooth RC&D outlines site-selector tool and local lending support to Laurel council

Beartooth RC&D representatives presented a memorandum of understanding to the City of Laurel during a council workshop on Dec. 2, 2025, describing services intended to help attract and support local businesses.

The presenters—Myrna Latusky, Nan Knight and Brad Eik—briefed council on the organization’s recent activity in Laurel, including technical assistance, a revolving loan fund and work on a site-selector web tool that will showcase available properties, workforce data and incentive overlays to prospective investors. Council members asked which businesses qualify for the revolving loan fund and were told that any business registered with the Montana Secretary of State may apply; agricultural applicants must also meet specified value-chain requirements.

Council requested periodic newsletters updating the body on Beartooth’s work in Laurel. Materials provided at the workshop also described a brownfields layer and other features intended to support property redevelopment and to capture state and federal funding opportunities. The presenters cited a recent funding-research project on the Bozeman Trail as an example of their local work.

The MOU was placed on the workshop agenda as a resolution for council review; no formal council action or vote was recorded at the workshop. The presentation materials were provided to council members as part of the meeting packet.