The Sheridan Development Corporation was initiated in the late 1980s in an attempt to revitalize Sheridan County's economy. For various reasons the organization was disbanded after a few years and lay dormant until 2001.

During the winter of 2000, a group of local residents decided to re-establish the Corporation. Fortunately, Don Hedges had the foresight to maintain all the necessary dues. The Corporation is now "back in business", with a new Board of Directors and a full-time individual working to improve our economic outlook.

Sheridan Development Corporation has been restructured to ensure that it is a true County-wide organization. Each town within the County retains a seat of the Board. A local civic organization from each community selects an individual to represent that community on the Board of Directors.

The goal of the Corporation is to develop the economy of Sheridan County in two primary areas. First and foremost is the preservation and expansion of existing County businesses. The Corporation has numerous avenues of assistance, including grants, loans, startup support, documentation assistance, and even some ideas. Second, if we are to increase the economic base of the area, we must attract dollars from outside our locale. This means bringing in new businesses, or starting businesses that acquire profit from somewhere besides Sheridan County.

Initial funding for the Corporation has come from the County, local financial institutions, and private donations. Eventually, the Corporation will establish and operate a business to help support the organization. Until then, we are dependent upon donations from individuals and companies. If you have any interest in helping Sheridan County grow, even if you don't live here but like to visit, please click on the contact information below or give us a call and let us know what you can do.

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Current Projects

Sheridan Development Corporation is currently exploring several opportunities for Economic Development in the area. These projects include, but are not limited to:

Acquiring a complete list of Sheridan County Alumni and past residents. This mailing list will be used to inform and educate people about the present economic situation in the County and to request assistance in the form of ideas and associations. We believe that this group is a major, untapped resource that could make an incredible contribution to our efforts. This is the number one project at present.
The Corporation is making every effort to partner with regional economic development organizations such as the Eastern Plains RC&D in Sidney; Great Northern Development in Wolf Point; The Rocky Mountain Trade Corridor in Helena, a group that attempts to bring American, Canadian, and Mexican businesses together; and The Enterprise Community in Poplar and Wolf Point. EC is a tribal-based development organization backed by the Federal Government. Our relationship with this group is extremely positive and we anticipate their support as we develop our projects.
Ideas and suggestions are being compiled and evaluated regarding the decline in business from our neighbors in Canada. We believe that an innovative promotion to attract more Canadian business can be achieved. The hurdle will be attaining mainstream participation.
Assistance in organizing the acquisition of a housing improvement grant of up to $500,000 is being given to the City of Plentywood. We introduced the proposal to the City Council and invited Al Joyes of Westby, one of the Montana’s premiere grant writers, to offer his services to the City. The City has agreed to move forward with the project and is now in the process of compiling the necessary information.
Additional effort needs to be made in the promotion of establishing a distribution / marketing center for Canadian products in the United States and vice-versa. Discussions have been held with several Saskatchewan manufacturers, and opportunities for this type of service do exist.
Develop a campaign to promote Sheridan County as a retirement location. Specific objectives would be to attract retired individuals from the Minneapolis area. People could sell their existing homes for a profit and retire here where the cost of living and housing is considerably less. Additionally, we could promote a “reverse snowbird” theme, where people living in the south could live in Sheridan County for the summer to escape the heat.
We have developed, and are maintaining, a Countywide web site at www.plentywood.com. (We are currently in the process of changing the Internet location of the site from plentywood.com to www.sheridancounty.org.) The site has three specific purposes:

To provide area residents with information and entertainment via the Internet.

To serve as an inexpensive, central contact point for past and present area residents. We are encouraging people to provide their email addresses for a County database. Hopefully this will also lead to contacts with former residents who may be able to assist us in our quest to improve the economic of our area. The web site, with its email provisions, will be especially useful after contacts are made via the initial mailing.

To function as an information and contact point for individuals and companies who may be interested in locating here. (A prime example would be in the Hospital’s search for medical personnel.) The web site can provide valuable information at the fingertips of anyone interested in visiting or relocating here. We intend to expand the site to include information about medical services, housing, recreation, shopping, service industries, financial services, schools, transportation, and job opportunities.

As with any ambitious venture, this is a work-in-progress, and will always be so. To that end, any list of active projects will expand and subside depending upon available resources and enthusiasm. The enthusiasm is relatively easy to accrue, but resources are another matter. We are confident that the business community in Sheridan County has the foresight and imagination to recognize the significance of what the Development Corporation is attempting to accomplish, and will help contribute the dollars necessary to succeed.

Any and all contributions will be greatly appreciated!

Memberships may be obtained at the contact points listed below or by clicking on "Form" to take you to a membership signup for,.

If you have any questions, ideas, suggestions, or comments, please contact:

Mickey McCall

Sheridan Development Corporation

100 West Laurel Avenue

Plentywood, MT 59254

765-3461, ext. 370 or 765-8088 cell

director@plentywood.com