Central Montana RC&D Board of Directors adopted the following 2009-2010 Plan of Work at its June 17, 2009 meeting at 10 a.m. in the SMDC Conference Room, 613 NE Main St., Lewistown.

GOAL I
Adequate, Affordable Housing

OBJECTIVE  1: Assist area communities with housing issues.
ACTIONS:
1) Provide Homebuyer Education classes in the area at least 12 times annually.
2) Provide one-on-one counseling in the area as needed for budeting and credit basics.
3) Provide foreclosure prevention counseling to the area.
4) Provide Board participation and technical assistance to NeighborWorks of Montana.
5) Assist local area communities to update local housing plans
6) Facilitate participation in affordable housing programs.
7) Facilitate information as it develops in regards to the Neighorhood Stabilization Program.
6) Assist communities with project cost procurement and administrative services.

GOAL II
Sustainable Energy Development

OBJECTIVE  1: Assist with Energy Planning, Development, Procurement and Conservation
ACTIONS:
1) Identify project opportunities and assist project development of energy resources, including alternative energy.
2) Assist in the development of information/education programs to increase public awareness and understanding of energy opportunities.
3) Assist with area planning in response to potential energy development, including impact mitigation.
OBJECTIVE 2: Identify existing opportunities for hydrogen, biomass cogeneration, wind, solar, geo-thermal, nuclear, ethanol and other alternative energy development opportunities.
ACTIONS:
1) Participate in regional discussions related to sustainable energy development.
OBJECTIVE 3: Assist in the development of information/education programs to increase public awareness of alternative energy opportunities.
ACTIONS
1) Coordinate demonstrations of alternative energy sources within the area.
2) Present or report about alternative energy opportunities within the area.
OBJECTIVE 4: Promote and assist the development of clean coal technologies and alternative coal energy applications.
ACTIONS:
1) Keep RC&D Council abreast of energy related legislative activities and regulatory changes requiring public comment and review.
2) Assist and coordinate public information and participation opportunities related to energy development permitting and impact assessment processes.

GOAL III
Sufficient Amounts of Safe and Healthy Municipal Water

OBJECTIVE  1: All RC&D area communities should fulfill their individual or collective municipal water needs.
ACTIONS:
1) Continue regional, municipal water initiatives.
2) Provide project management services for regional efforts.
3) Assist with project strategies and procurement of necessary funding.
4) Coordinate project information and public outreach.

GOAL IV
Healthy and Sustainable Regional Economy

OBJECTIVE  1: Improve the economic condition of the RC&D Area
ACTIONS:
1) Assist Snowy Mountain Development Corporation through Memorandum of Understanding.
2) Assist Community Development Initiatives that bring “new money” into area counties.
3) Assist business developments that have a positive impact on area unemployment, underemployment, wealth creation and taxable value.
4) Assist infrastructure improvements that enhance economic development  opportunities.
5) Assist with transportation system improvements such as pavement on Highway Secondary 236 from Winifred to Big Sandy; and improvements of roads and highways impacted by Signal Peak Energy coal mine near Roundup.
OBJECTIVE 2: Maximize the financial return to the area for business and industry that utilize and add value to our natural resources.
ACTIONS:
1) Assist Signal Peak Energy coal mine with public information and as a liaison with local governments.
2) Assist Roundup Power Plant development with public information and act as liaison to local governments.
3) Assist mining interests with efforts to build a railroad spur to ship coal and other mine improvements.
4) Assist as needed with development of coal gasification plant near Roundup.
5) Work with Tax Increment Financing Industrial District (TIFID) and other tax incentive issues.
6) Assist RC&D Council with input and comment on issues that affect the area’s natural resources.

GOAL V
Sustainable Supplies of Public & Private Natural Resources for Local Industries

OBJECTIVE  1: Conduct an assessment of natural resources available in the region, including mineral and water resources.
ACTIONS:
1) Publish results of assessment so they are available and accessible to the region.
2) Act as an intervener on development issues related to area natural resource wise development.
OBJECTIVE 2: Wisely use natural resources and minimize waste during project developments through application of Best Management Practices, new technologies and conservation practices.
ACTIONS:
1) Assist with area resource planning.
2) Assist with wildfire planning and mitigation efforts.
3) Assist water development projects that improve the efficiency of water use and enhance water habitat.
4) Maximize the financial return to the area for businesses and industry that utilize and add value to our natural resources.
5) Continue to assist development of natural resources that create employment opportunities, expand tax base and reduce dependence on imports.
6) Research opportunities for investment in efficient use of resources. (New sawmill technology, post and pole preservatives, wood waste utilization, bio-oil production, clean coal technologies, geo-thermal plants, water resources, etc.)
OBJECTIVE  2: Establish a program that promotes resource development, population growth and income enhancement for the RC&D area.
ACTIONS:
1) Update RC&D website and include links to other area sites.
2) Provide assistance to communities for development of community web sites.
3) Assist with area tourism/recreation marketing and development

GOAL VI
Good Communication and Public Access to Communication Technologies in Central Montana

OBJECTIVE 1: Rural communications and telecommunication capabilities equal to urban areas.
ACTIONS:
1) Continue to assist educational initiatives utilizing new communications technologies such as interactive television and wireless.
2) Assist healthcare facilities pursue telemedicine opportunities.
3) Assist emergency services organizations in seeking funding for ungrading equipment.

GOAL VII
High Standard of Living & Attractive Quality of Life in Central Montana

OBJECTIVE  1: Improve the quality of life and improve the standard of living in Central Montana and development and maintenance of community area services and facilities.
ACTIONS:
1) Assist communities, agencies and local governments with planning, design, funding and construction of major capital improvements.
2) Provide assistance in the development of program/projects which impact basic human needs, including schools, public transportation, communications, senior centers, libraries, etc.

GOAL VIII
Maximize Availability of Technical and Financial Resources

OBJECTIVE  1: Continue to act as liaison between the RC&D area and federal/state agencies and the RC&D regional.
ACTIONS:
1) Attend state and regional meetings that may be of interest to or benefit Central Montana RC&D.
2) Report to state and federal funding agencies, grant providers, RC&D Council and the general public through formal reports, meetings, articles, newsletter and correspondence.
3) Review and report about research, publications and other media related to Area Plan issues.