BCDC is ‘Broadwater Development Corporation’

Our Mission is to Attract, retain and expand businesses in Broadwater County and support infrastructure and beautification efforts. Protect and maintain our heritage.

The BCDC Meetings are open to the public. Join us at our monthly meeting held the 3rd Wednesday of every month at The Lodge of Townsend.

Quick Links

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Townsend, Montana: Small Town, Big Landscapes, Deep History

By Kilynn Groen with Victor Sample and Rick Graetz

fall colors along the missouri river near townsend, montana

Brushed by the Missouri River, cradled by two mountain ranges, and adorned with a big lake, wildlife management areas, and a historic river, Townsend is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The scenic beauty of this place in the Missouri River Valley is sure to inspire your next outdoor adventure.

Townsend, the county seat of Broadwater County, is a living testament to Montana’s rich history and vibrant natural beauty. Home to 1,787 people, this picturesque town is about 35 miles southeast of the state capital, Helena. Nestled between the Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains, the region, often referred to as ‘The Banana Belt’, boasts a milder winter climate compared to its surroundings, making it an ideal destination for travelers.

Chronicles of Montana’s past run deep here.

To read the full article click on Townsend, Montana: Small Town, Big Landscapes, Deep History

Broadwater Community Foundation Newsletter for 2024 – 2025 is now available.

Click on Broadwater Community Foundation Newsletter to view the 2024-2025 newsletter

Click on BCF Grant Guidelines and Application to download the 2024-2025 BCF Grant Application.

Click on Sponsorship Form to become a BCF Sponsor.

Silos Area Master Plan

Click here to view the Silos Master Plan

Broadwater Community Review Phase 1

Assessment Report Phase 1 is now available

Assessment Reports

The January, 2025 Community Connections Newsletter is now available. Click on January, 2025 Community Connections Newsletter to view the newsletter.

Montana’s Area 4 Agency on Aging (RMDC) and GoGo are pleased to provide free rides and deliveries!

Montana’s Area 4 Agency on Aging (RMDC) and GoGo are pleased to provide free rides and deliveries!

This program allows older adults aged 60 and over in Gallatin, Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, and Broadwater counties to access up to 8 free rides, up to 4 free grocery deliveries, and up to 4 free prescription drug deliveries per month. For deliveries, program pays delivery cost; individuals pay grocery and/or drug co-pays (no narcotics).

To register for this FREE service visit us at

https://www.gogograndparent.com/partners/montanaa4

For More Information visit: https://mt43news-business-services.com/sites/mt43news-business-services.com/files/MT_AreaIV_GoGo_HowItWorks.pdf

Townsend Payment Portal Is Available

City of Townsend Residents,

The Wait Is Officially Over!!!

NEW Online Payments Portal now available! We are excited to announce that today you can begin to enjoy the comprehensive, user-friendly, and innovative portal that includes the ability to pay your utility bills with a credit or debit card, or directly through your checking or savings bank account.

The same level of security that you have grown to expect from us will not change, and will be consistent in our new portal, which will provide new online payment options and more engaging features that improve your overall payment experience. Check out our FAQ’s pages for more!

To view the City of Townsend Payment Portal FAQ click on TownsendPaymentPortalFAQ

Additional communications will be provided to ensure that you experience a smooth user-experience; however, no action is required by you at this time.

If you have any questions, please contact us at (406) 266-3911.

Regards,
City of Townsend Staff

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority Annual Report is Available

Helena – The Women, Infant & Children Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC) of Lewis and Clark Public Health (LCPH) is partnering with Broadwater County Public Health to host a monthly WIC Clinic in Townsend.
Located at 124 N Cedar Street, clinics are scheduled on the first Monday of each month from 10 am – 3 pm. Appointments are encouraged. Walk-ins are welcome.
WIC is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and provides food support for Montana families. One item in the food package is a dollar amount for fresh vegetables and fruits. The amounts are $26 per month for children up to age five, $47 for those pregnant, postpartum, or partially breastfeeding, and $52 for those fully breastfeeding. Other WIC benefits include nutrition counseling, lactation experts, baby food, breastfeeding education and pumps, access to trained staff, and other resources and referrals.

WIC eligibility requires participants to be pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or have a child younger than five. Participants must make less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level or qualify for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, Traditional Best Beginnings, or a free/reduced school meal program. WIC is a voluntary program, and participation does not interfere with SNAP or Medicaid, and new this year, traditional Best Beginnings Scholarship.

“We know that only 55% of eligible families are enrolled statewide, and we also know that many families are struggling to make ends meet this year,” said Dawn Sullivan, WIC Clinic Coordinator. “The team here at Helena WIC is here to help families enroll and access all the incredible benefits of WIC. We can help make this season a bit brighter.”

WIC in Montana includes 33 local agencies and over 80 clinic sites serving all 56 counties and six tribal reservations. Almost 13,400 women, infants, and children are enrolled which is about 10,000 Montana households.

If Broadwater County families need help enrolling in WIC or accessing their benefits, they can contact the Lewis and Clark Public Health WIC Clinic at 406-457-8912 or email wic@lccountymt.gov.

Sheriff’s Office Mill Levy Meetings

I will be having several meetings regarding the continuation of the Sheriff’s Office Mill Levy.

These meetings will be:
* January 22nd at the Winston Fire Hall
* January 28th at the Townsend Community Room
* January 30th at the Headwaters Livestock Auction

These meetings will begin at 6:00 pm.

I would love to have as many people at these meeting to discuss what we are wanting to do this spring.

If anyone has any questions please reach out to me.

Nick Rauser
Broadwater County Sheriff
519 Broadway
Townsend, MT 59644
Phone: 406.266.9265
Email: nrauser@co.broadwater.mt.us

Stoke

Cooking Classes

Welcome to the First Radersburg Ramble

A 5K and 10K Race at Radersburg

This race will feature two distances – 10K (6.2 miles) and 5K (3.1 miles), beginning at 10am and 10:30am respectively.

RACE ROUTE: The start and end of both races will be in front of the Historic Radersburg School, at the intersection of Brown Street and Crow Creek Road. The 5K course goes straight out Crow Creek Road and turns around approximately 250 meters before the first cattle guard. The 10K course also goes straight out Crow Creek Road and turns around approximately 150 meters past Mud Springs Road. Each race will begin by the ringing of school bell.

SWAG: Race packet pick up will be between 9-10:30am on race day, January 25, 2025. Custom winter beanies, race number and other items will be in your bag.

RACE ROUTE details: Radersburg Ramble Race Routes

POST-RACE CHILI FEED: Included with every paid race registration. Additional tickets can be purchased through registration or the day of the race (while supplies last).

To register or for just more information visit our website at: https://radersburgramble.org/

2025 Broadwater Lions Club

Perch Derby

American Legion Post #42

Hosts

Four Chaplain Ceremony

Every year, the American Legion honors these Four Chaplains whose abridged story is told below. This year the ceremony will be held on Saturday February 1st at 11am at the Trailhead Church in Townsend. Please come and attend this important and moving ceremony. A free taco bar lunch will follow the ceremony.

On Feb. 3, at 12:55 a.m., a periscope broke the chilly Atlantic waters. Through the cross hairs, an officer aboard U-223 spotted the Dorchester. After identifying and targeting the ship, he gave orders to fire a fan of three torpedoes. The one that hit was decisive and deadly, striking the starboard side, amidship, far below the water line. Alerted that Dorchester was sinking rapidly, Danielsen gave the order to abandon ship. In the midst of the pandemonium, according to those present, four Army chaplains brought hope to despair and light in darkness: Lt. George L. Fox, a Methodist minister; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, a Jewish Rabbi; Lt. John P. Washington, a Roman Catholic priest; and Lt. Clark V. Poling, a Dutch Reformed minister consoled the troops and handed out life jackets. When there were no more life jackets to hand out, the chaplains removed theirs and gave them to four frightened young men. “It was the finest thing I have ever seen or hope to see this side of heaven,” said John Ladd, another survivor who saw the chaplains’ selfless act. As the ship went down, survivors in nearby rafts could see the four chaplains, braced against the slanting deck, arm in arm. They were heard praying and singing hymns.

To hear the rest of this story and see the ceremony that the American Legion has been doing to honor these brave men ever since that fateful day, please attend the service at 11am February 1st at the Trailhead Church just outside of Townsend, near the lake.

American Red Cross Blood Drive Schedule

Upcoming Dates:

December 19, 2024: United Methodist Church @ 12:00 – 5:30pm

January 29, 2025: Broadwater County High School @ 10:30 – 4:30pm

February 19, 2025: United Methodist Church @ 12:00 – 5:30pm

March 7, 2025: American Legion Club Post #42 @ 11:30 – 4:30pm

April 17, 2025: United Methodist Church @ 12:00 – 5:30pm

To schedule an Appt visit the Red Cross website at Red Cross Blood Drive

Support The Imagination Library                                   

In Broadwater County

About the Program

The Imagination Library is a partnership between the Broadwater County Social Services Committee (BCSSC) and the Dollywood Foundation. Every child who is enrolled in the program receives a free age-appropriate book every month from birth until the age of 5. It is open to any child residing in Broadwater County.

In 2022, a survey was done with parents in Broadwater County with children currently enrolled in the program or recent graduates. The survey showed the program is already making a big impact in the community in just three years by increasing reading time, improving kindergarten readiness, promoting family bonding and fostering a love for reading. The survey respondents indicated:

• 9% felt that the Imagination Library has made a positive impact on their family.
• 8% felt their child’s enthusiasm for books has increased since receiving Imagination Library books.
• 6% felt they spend more time reading to their child as a result of the Imagination Library.
• 5% felt that the Imagination Library has helped their child prepare for kindergarten by improving his/her literacy.

BCSSC is raising funds to continue operating the program. The Dolly Parton Foundation covers the administrative cost of the program while the local organization funds the cost of books, postage and mailing. The local cost is $25/child/year. If you should like to sponsor a child to participate in the program or give a general donation, please complete the form below. BCSSC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and all donations are tax deductible. For more information about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library or to enroll, visit https://imaginationlibrary.com/.

Download the Dolly Parton Imagation Library Donation Form

Silos Recreation Master Plan

The Citizens Action Group for the Silos Recreation Area has been working with the BOR and the people of Broadwater County and the surrounding region to develop a Master Plan for the Silos Recreation Area.

Click here to view the Silos Master Plan

Townsend School System Information

New Local Employment Opportunities page
under the Economic Development tab
Click Here to view local listings

Business opportunities abound in Townsend

We have a few available business/office spaces available for rent or sale. We also have a few business owners looking to retire from successful/thriving established businesses. Does Townsend fit into your next business decision? Browse our website; see what our area has to offer, visit with our realtors & property managers. Make Townsend your next move. For more information contact bcdc@mt.net

“It’s Time” to come home to Montana

Are you ready for a simpler way of life – a less corporate lifestyle?
Take a look at what our area has to offer.

Recreational Opportunities in and around Townsend

Click Here for a partial listing

A video sampling of what is out our backdoor

Enjoy some more videos

• Montana Highway Web Cams – Click Here

• All Montana Web Cams – Click Here

• Carroll College Web Cams Click Here

• MLC All Sky Camera at Canyon Ferry

• Toston Structures Web Cam

• Montana’s Source For Arts and Entertainment Lively Times – Click Here

• Helena Events – Click Here

• Montana Ski Areas: Daily Snow Report- Click Here

• Montana Ski Resort Information – Click Here

Bobcats & Grizzlies Sports Schedules

Bobcats
Grizzlies

Thank You for visiting our web site. This site is owned & maintained by Broadwater County Development Corporation.
If you own a business in Broadwater County please check your listing for errors, if you are not listed & would like to be, please send us your information. If you find any errors or broken links etc. please notify BCDC. You may contact BCDC with your information at bcdc@mt.net