Montana
$1.28 million benefits eastern Montana economy in 2023 thanks to EPEDC help
Under new leadership for part of 2023, the Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation continues to show itself successful in its efforts to work with businesses and government entities to secure funding for projects in five counties across eastern Montana.
EPEDC Executive Director Terra Burman provided a presentation to the organization’s Board of Directors during its annual meeting at Yellowstone River Inn in Glendive at the end of January.
Burman made it a point to introduce herself alongside Teresea Olson, a community development specialist for the EPEDC, as they are both relatively new to their positions; less than one year.
Former executive director Beth Epley resigned from her position in June, leaving it to Burman who worked under her for about six months.
Olson joined the organization in December, succeeding Lizzy Robinson of Terry. There remains two open positions within the EPEDC, including a second community development specialist and the food and agriculture development specialist.
“Teresea brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit and healthcare with her in her new role, so I think that she has such a commitment to our communities and I know that she’ll align seemlessly with (EPEDC),” Burman said.
The EPEDC was renewed as a Certified Regional Development Corporation through the Montana Department of Commerce for the next four years, a feat that furthers its mission to support businesses in the region and help them grow.
“It definitely underscores our commitment and recognition to keep delivering on our promises of economic development in our area,” Burman said.
Throughout 2023, the EPEDC had a hand in administering $1,289,000 in grant funding to businesses, government entities and individuals and worked with a total of 36 clients by the end of the year.
Some of the grants secured include three Value Added Producer Grants totaling $549,999. The VAPG grants cover expenses such as shipping, freezer space rental and more, “things that really eat up the budgets of someone who is trying to start a small business,” according to Burman.
“That total … was put back into our communities,” she said. “They worked really hard to get those grants and it’s not a small feat to be able to do that.”
The EPEDC also hosted various trainings and presentations in conjunction with the Food and Agriculture Development Center through the Great Northern Development Corporation, Small Business Development Center and childcare experts from across Montana, to name a few.
“We’ll continue those partnerships so that we can continue to see what we can do for our communities,” Burman said.
As Burman and Olson look ahead to 2024, they are excited to continue working on projects with area businesses and organizations, including Prairie County and its efforts to restore the Milwaukee Bridge; a strategic trail plan for the City of Glendive and the Badlands to Badlands Trail, to name a few.
“There were a lot of lessons learned in 2023 in terms of just navigating the systems, understanding what grants can be used for what, how to leverage dollars and I think that we’ll continue to grow in that way and work on our partnerships with everyone,” Burman said.
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06/28/2026
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GREAT FALLS — For Staff Sgt. Brianna St. Lawrence-Brody, service does not only happen in uniform.
Outside the gates of the base, she works at Benefis as a nurse, Great Falls Public Schools as a school nurse, and comes home as a wife and mom of four. For the Montana Air National Guard, she serves as a command post controller with the 120th Airlift Wing in Great Falls.
(WATCH: Montana nurse and Guard member earns national Air Force recognition)
Montana nurse and Guard member earns national Air Force recognition
This year, St. Lawrence-Brody was named the U.S. Air National Guard’s Outstanding Airman of the Year in the Non-Commissioned Officer category.
She said the recognition came as a surprise, especially because her path into the Guard started later than others.
“I joined very late in life,” St. Lawrence-Brody said. “I joined the Guard right before I turned 40. So for me, every opportunity that’s presented, I want to take the bull by the horns and just run with it and do the best of my ability.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she joined the Guard after finishing nursing school. She said she went straight from nursing school into helping open a COVID unit, while also working at Benefis.
She said that experience was the start of one journey, but not the whole of what she wanted to accomplish.
St. Lawrence-Brody joined the Guard for the opportunities, the challenge and to help build a future for her four children.
“It’s a little bit of a competition for myself,” she said. “Like, if I can do it, why not try my best to achieve it?”
120th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
As a command post controller, she assists in helping move information during emergencies and major events.
“Outside, obviously, I’m a nurse. Inside the Guard, I have nothing to do with the medical field, which is kind of amazing,” St. Lawrence-Brody said. “It keeps me on my toes.”
She explained balancing the Guard, two civilian jobs and four children takes support from her family, her employers and her unit. She said Benefis and GFPS have been supportive of her military service.
Her nomination included her deployment experience, training work overseas and involvement across the wing. St. Lawrence-Brody said she deployed to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where she worked with an operations center supporting entities connected to Africa.
But, she says this recognition is not the finish line.
“This award, it’s not necessarily a landing pad for me,” St. Lawrence-Brody said. “I want to use it as a springboard.”
120th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
St. Lawrence-Brody hopes her story encourages others to keep taking on new opportunities, even when they feel uncertain.
“Get comfortable with being uncomfortable and be okay with doing things afraid,” she said. “I think when you get to be okay with doing things afraid, that’s where you’re going to find the growth.”
She has already won at the Air National Guard level, but she recently traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of the broader Air Force Outstanding Airman of the Year process, which includes nominees from the Guard, Reserve and major commands across the Air Force.
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 27, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 27 drawing
03-16-28-30-59, Powerball: 11, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from June 27 drawing
03-08-18-22-39, Star Ball: 06, ASB: 02
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from June 27 drawing
05-16-19-27, Bonus: 08
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from June 27 drawing
02-26-34-43-45, Powerball: 15
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Montana Cash numbers from June 27 drawing
05-09-10-15-35
Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 27 drawing
26-32-38-51-52, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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