"The List" July 2025

10 Things BLDC Checked Off Our List in the Last Month

1. The BLDC loan department is as busy as ever, lending over $900,000 between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.

   
   

2. BLDC’s Kelly Sullivan and Kayla Lappin met with a representative from an East Coast-based photonics company that intends to relocate to Butte. We’re excited to continue working with representatives of this company as they gradually make this transition to our corner of the Treasure State.

   
   

3. BLDC is happy to announce that over the past year, Butte-Silver Bow has been working with the WT Group on an ADA Transition Plan — reviewing buildings, facilities, and programs to identify ways to improve accessibility. As part of that work, they’re hosting a free, one-hour Lunch & Learn session just for local and small businesses. The goal is simple: to share practical steps you can take to support access in your business. The event will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), 3619 Wynne Ave, Butte, MT. It’s free and open to all local business owners and managers (limited to 30 entries). Lunch will be provided.

   
   

4. Join us for APEX Accelerator’s Butte Meet-and-Greet! Wednesday, July 30, 2025, 9a-11:30a, Thornton Bldg. Ballroom, 65 E. Broadway St. Attendees will have access to In-person advising for government contract success at this free event, focused on helping business owners refresh their government contracting skills and sharpen their strategies. Register Here.

   
   

5. BLDC is a proud supporter of Headwaters RC&D’s Summer Road Tour 2025. The tour is in full swing now and will take our team to over a dozen communities in the Headwaters region, where we'll talk about our programs, services, and the BLDC’s partnership in the Headwaters Tech Hub consortium. Our Butte stop is scheduled for Monday, August 18, 12noon-1:30pm in the 2nd Floor Conference Room of the Thornton Building, at 65 E. Broadway St.

   
   

6. We’ve received a first draft of our 5-year Strategic Plan and will be working throughout the month on edits, calendar planning and more for the initiatives set forth in this important document. We expect the plan to be fully completed and ready to share by the end of October.

   
   

7. Our Regional Director, Jay Doyle, earned his certification in Small Business Data and Cyber Protection Awareness from North Star.

   
   

8. Kayla Lappin assisted Butte-Silver Bow’s Housing Coordinator, Nancy DesRosiers, with a video for the Butte Aging at Home Program.

   
   

9. Headwaters RC&D is hosting a homebuyer education class on August 9, 2025.

   
   

10. BLDC is preparing for a trip to Chicago with other EDO’s from across the State of Montana to host an event for Site Selectors. Butte-Silver Bow Community & Economic Development is supporting this event as well.