An Economic Development Corporation Owned and Operated by the Fort Belknap Indian Community

OUR MISSION

Island Mountain Development Group is a dynamic Native American

economic development corporation dedicated to creating a self-

sustaining economy by striving to create opportunities for the Aaniiih

(Gros Ventre) and Nakoda (Assiniboine) Nations through business, jobs,

and resource development.

History of Island Mountain Development Group

• The Planning & Development Corporation (PDC) dba Island Mountain Development Group (IMDG) is a for-profit corporation that was established by the Fort Belknap Indian Community in May 2006. • As the economic arm of the Tribes, IMDG was created and chartered

to plan, develop and manage for-profit businesses for the benefit of the Fort Belknap Indian Community.

Renewable Energy

• Employees from IMDG attended the 2nd Annual Seminole Tribe of Florida Renewable Energy & Sustainability Conference• Began discussion of having renewable energy on Fort Belknap• Visited the Blue Lake Rancheria Microgrid• Created a Renewable Energy Team• Started the discussion of what type of renewable energy projects to

pursue.

Strategic Planning

• Energy team scheduled a strategic planning session• Invited industry expert to direct strategic planning session• Strategic Planning took place at IMDG• Team identified goals and timelines for various sections of plan• Team emphasized having an industry expert to take the lead on

possible projects• Plan was developed by consultant to help guide the team

General Manager

• Hired general manager for alternative energy• Manager had specific skillset needed to lead this vertical• Manager took the lead on projects and doing research and

development• Direction was given on what types of projects we were to pursue

General Manager

Strategic Energy Planning Report Goals

• Create an Energy LLC for Energy Commercial Endeavors• Build a solar/hybrid micro-grid for IMDG’s buildings in Hays• Identify Funding Sources for Energy Development Activities• Create an Energy Specific Workforce Plan• Create a Cultural and Environmental Conservation Plan • Coordinate with the Fort Belknap Indian Community’s Planning

Department for Energy-Related Activities • Build a Pilot Solar Housing Subdivision

90-Day Work Plan for General Manager

• Assemble an Energy Team • Coordinate with FBIC Tribal Government• Understand Policies of Host Utilities• Identify Potential Project Sites on Reservation• Begin Commercial Implementation of HEARTH Act • Identify and Reach Out to Potential Project Partners • Research Opportunity Zones• Identify Potential Funding Sources for Energy Activities

Fort Belknap Indian Community (FBIC)Tribal Government

• Island Mountain Energy Holdings LLC and Island Mountain Energy LLC were formed, pursuant to the Tribal LLC Code• Obtained and reviewed the following documents:• 2016 FBIC Strategic Energy Plan

• “Explore renewable energy business opportunities for tribe”• “Determine feasibility of energy resource development”• “Develop brownfield sites with energy”• “Install a solar PV farm”• “Establish solar and wind projects in each community”

• 2018 FBIC Strategic Plan• “solar farm” (L.G.8)• “alternative energy” (L.G.29)

https://leg.mt.gov/content/Committees/Interim/2017-2018/Energy-and-Telecommunications/Understanding%20Energy%202018.pdf

Identifying Potential

Project Sitesat Fort Belknap

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FIGURE 1-2. LAND OWNERSHIP

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HEARTH Act (Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership)

TERA (Tribal Energy Resource Agreement)

TEDO (Tribal Energy Development Organization)

Legal support will be needed to create a regulatory environment for energy resource development at Fort Belknap

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RReevviieeww iinn DDeennvveerrNovember 2019

https://www.flickr.com/photos/departmentofenergy/49178384653/in/album-72157634199656416/

OOppppoorrttuunniittyy ZZoonneess ((OOZZ))• Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

• Tax advantages for capital gains

• North ”half” of the reservation is an Opportunity Zone

• October 2019: OZ training at Bear Paw Economic Development

• January 2020: OZ training at Native American Development Corporation (NADC)

• May 2020: OZ event in Billings, MT

Identify Potential Grants and Assistance

• BIA Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development (IEED) Division of Energy and Mineral Development (DEMD)• Tribal Energy Development Capacity (TEDC) • Energy and Mineral Development (EMDP)

• DOE Office of Indian Energy• Education & Training• Technical Assistance (TA)

• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)• Tribal Renewable Power Program (TRPP)

Identify Potential Grants

• Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD)• Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

• Renewable Energy Development Assistance (REDA)• Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG)

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)• RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative

• Economic Development Administration (EDA)• Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP)

• Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development• Tribal Business Planning Grant (TBPG)

An Economic Development Corporation Owned and Operated by the Fort Belknap Indian Community