Messer Receives Ambassador Of The Year Award

The Montana Ambassadors, a group of businessmen, educators and professionals that seek to further the best interests of the State of Montana, has selected Leslie Messer, Richland Economic Development (RED) executive director, as this year’s recipient of the Ambassador of the Year Award. The Ambassadors chose Messer based on her dedicated work with businesses and individuals involved with the Bakken development and in the growth of eastern Montana to thrive and expand.

Her selection for this prize came as a shock to Messer. “I am absolutely completely surprised by this,” she comments. “I am truly humbled by this honor.”

Messer received this recognition in part because of the incredible progress and the accomplishments RED has made during 2011, along with the dedication and commitment RED has demonstrated to the community and for economic development. Messer and the RED board have an impressive list of successes for this past year.

“We provide business assistance to the area,” Messer points out. “The majority of my time is spent in consulting work for emerging businesses that are looking at our area. We’ve had a very busy year. In 2011, we had over 60 developers walk into the office, we’ve had 35 small business consultations for people interested in starting up new businesses, we’ve had two new industries expanding to Richland County, and we’ve awarded three revolving loans for local businesses.”

She continues, “I had membership discussions with 100% of our members, listening to what they had to say. Lack of employees is the number one concern, and lack of housing is No. 2. We also need to encourage people to shop locally to keep businesses here.”

Messer also notes that in 2011, three hotels began construction in Sidney. “There has been over three years of work on these hotel projects,” she says. “It’s been an amazing year to bring three hotels to fruition.”

RED has also written to the Department of Motor Vehicles to request more help with the licensing process, and it facilitated two round-table discussions to bring local businessmen together with Congressional members to discuss area needs and issues.

Messer and RED will continue their efforts in the coming months and years. “This award isn’t the culmination of my efforts,” Messer remarks. “This is all a part of the blessing of having this position. RED intends to keep moving forward and to work with the resources we have available to improve our area.”

She concludes, “If I can get up every morning and do the best I can to make a difference for my future grandchildren, that’s all I can ask.”

Messer has served as executive director of RED for the past ten years.

She will receive her award during the annual meeting and conference of the Montana Ambassadors, scheduled for March 22-23 at the Crowne Plaza, Billings.