Executive Order 12-03

State of Montana
Office of the Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF THE MONTANA COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT CENTER FROM MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY-NORTHERN TO THE MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

WHEREAS, the Montana Cooperative Development Center (MCDC) has been administered by Montana State University (MSU) through its MSU-Northern campus in Havre; and

WHEREAS, Montana's agriculture organizations, USDA-Rural Development, and Montana State University concur that MCDC's transfer to the Montana Department of Agriculture in Helena will enable continued service to the citizens of Montana through coordinated actions of all parties; and

WHEREAS, the MCDC has received two biennial federal Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) funding awards in 2001 and 2002, and preapplications for renewal of these awards are planned for 2003 and 2004;  and

WHEREAS, the USDA Rural Development is transferring the remaining balances of each funding award to the Montana Department of Agriculture in Helena for oversight and administration of the MCDC effective July 1, 2003; and

WHEREAS, state sources of funding appropriated for MCDC will transfer to the Department of Agriculture during the same period, as Senate Bill 115 statutorily appropriates funds to the center, which will provide necessary matching funds continuity for the MCDC.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Judy Martz, Governor of the State of Montana, by virtue of the authority vested in me pursuant to  the Constitution of the State of Montana, Title 2, Chapter 15, MCA, and under other applicable laws of the State of Montana, do hereby approve and direct the transfer of the Montana Cooperative Development Center from MSU-Northern to the Montana Department of Agriculture.

This Order is effective July 1, 2003.