What is the Montana District Export Council?

The Montana District Export Council (MDEC), founded in 1994, is headquartered in Missoula, Montana, on the grounds of the University of Montana. It is an organization of volunteer leaders from state-wide business communities, education institutions and government organizations. The combined knowledge of the council members in international business provides a source of professional advice on exporting to local firms and individuals. The MDEC is closely affiliated with the Federal Export Assistance Center (EAC) in Montana and the Montana Department of Commerce. Through these partnerships, the MDEC provides export counseling, referrals to assisting resources, educational seminars, and associated literature. MDEC members can help firms in their local area plan for their first export sale, or further expand existing export programs. The MDEC further liaisons with the Montana World Trade Center on programs of mutual interest.

The DECs, nation-wide, volunteer their time to sponsor and participate in numerous trade promotion activities, as well as to supply specialized expertise to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) that are interested in exporting. They create seminars on exporting basics and trade finance, host international buyer delegations, design breakthrough guides to help firms export, put exporters on the Internet and help build export assistance partnerships to strengthen the support given to local businesses interested in exporting. In order to help small businesses succeed in the world economy, DECs also provide mentoring programs to help firms.

Mission:

To encourage and promote the growth of exports of goods and services by creating public awareness and participation of Montana businesses in the international market.

Goals:

Encourage and support exports that strengthen individual companies and stimulate state and U.S. economic growth.

Promote greater export activity at the local level by developing a trade assistance network.

Services:

Identification of export financing sources.

Counseling of individuals and businesses.

Programs to create a greater export awareness in the local communities.

Identification of issues that impact export trade.

Building local export assistance partnerships with other organizations.

Resources:

The following agencies and organizations are available to help you with your exporting activity:

Big Sky Economic Development Authority
2722 3rd Avenue North, Suite 300
Billings, MT 59101-1931
Tel. 406-256-6871 Fax. 406-256-6877

Montana Department of Agriculture
Rural Development Bureau
PO Box 200201
Helena, MT 59620-0201
Tel. 406-444-2402 Fax. 406-444-5409

Montana Department of Commerce
Office of Trade and International Relations
1424 9th Ave.
Helena, MT 59620-0505
Tel. 406-444-4112 Fax. 406-444-2903
www.commerce.state.mt.us

Montana Department of Commerce
Small Business Development Center
1424 9th Ave.
Helena, MT 59620-0505
Tel. 406-444-4780 Fax. 406-444-1872

Montana State University Tech link
900 Technology Blvd., Suite A
Bozeman, MT 59718
Tel. 406-994-7700 Fax. 406-994-7701

Montana Wheat and Barley Committee
PO Box 3024
Great Falls, MT 59403
Tel. 406-761-7762 Fax. 406-761-7851

Montana World Trade Center
Gallagher Business Building, Suite 257
University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812
Tel. 406-243-6982 Fax. 406-243-5259
www.mwtc.org
fraser@mwtc.org

Northern Express Transportation Authority
100 2nd Avenue South
Shelby, MT 59474
Tel. 406-434-5203 Fax. 406-434-2761

Port of Montana
PO Box 3641
Butte, MT 59702
Tel. 406-723-4321 Fax. 406-782-8510
portofmt@in-tch.com

Rocky Mountain Trade Corridor
PO Box 143
Helena, MT 59624
Tel. 406-442-4413 Fax. 406-449-9599
www.rockymtncorridor.com

US Department of Commerce
Montana Export Assistance Center
Gallagher Business Building, Suite 257
Missoula, MT 59812
Tel. 406-542-6656 Fax. 406-243-5259
Mark.Peters@mail.doc.gov