RURAL MONTANA TOWNS REIMAGINE THEMSELVES AT A MSU EXTENSION CONFERENCE
 | Author:
Nancy Marks, Reporter
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
RURAL MONTANA TOWNS REIMAGINE THEMSELVES AT A MSU EXTENSION CONFERENCE
Nancy Marks
Reporter
People drove from all over Montana to attend a reimagining rural gathering put on by Montana State University Extension Service. The reimaging rural concept is about helping small Montana towns which are languishing to rebuild their economies and way of life. The conference-goers came from Terry, Big Timber, Warden, Cutbank and Roundup. Around 150 persons attended at the Watkins Event Center south of Townsend.
Community Development Specialist Tara Mastel opened the morning workshop. She talked about identifying the newcomers to Montana communities and how important they are as volunteers. They don’t have connections in the community and often face challenges integrating into the community.
She pointed out reasons people move to Montana varied. In the last five years, 35% moved to Montana for a job; 34% had lived in Montana previously and 23% owned a business here. A few worked from home with their business in other states. Mostly they came for Montana’s outdoor opportunities. The lack of congestion and finding a safer place to live also impacted newcomers to move here. Almost half of all people came from other cities and towns in Montana. Newcomers moved mostly from nine intermountain states and Texas. They are highly educated and 97% own their own homes, compared with only 68% of Montana natives.
Those numbers translate into newcomers who want to become involved in our small communities. Over half of those interviewed said they volunteer in some form and would do more if they knew how and where to get involved. The interviewed newcomers were highly motivated to get to know their neighbors: 83% said they exchanged small favors with their neighbors.
Small towns struggle to keep a growing economy and their populations for several reasons, Mastel explained. She gave a startling number: In small towns, only one person in thirteen is willing and able to lead in organizations or projects. “In some very small towns, one in five persons leads,” she said.
Townsend has taken advantage of the tenets of reimaging rural discussions: County Extension Agent Allison Kosto welcomed the group and shared her use of the leadership class component. Kosto had just completed the class with twenty-four graduates, “The Big Sky Leadership class met for several weeks and learned the complexities and the issues of our fast-growing county. The class helps them bridge the gaps in knowledge about our county and city governments; who runs our non-profit organizations and basically how to make connections to get things done in the community,” Kosto said.
She also pointed out the project to have murals painted on business buildings to attract visitors and to give a positive lift to the downtown area. Broadwater County and Townsend elected officials have encouraged upgrades to the county fairgrounds and the municipal swimming pool. Kosto pointed out the Watson Center is one of the draws for a better community since it allows large groups to gather in Broadwater County.
Cutbank, Forsyth, and Worden-Ballentine citizens shared their success with using the tools of reimagining rural programs. Morgan Beleveal of Roundup was raised in the town and returned after an extensive career abroad. He returned to open the “Back Porch” restaurant. Besides adding to the vitality of Roundup, he earned a James Beard best restaurant national award. “I was able to bring my education and experience to add value to my background connection to my town,” he said.
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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks
Image 1 Caption: Big Timber representatives left to right Cory Sutz, Dawn Curry, Cheryl Follen, Linda Stoltz and Helena representative Kate Hampton
Image 2 Caption: Broadwater County Extension agent Allison Kosto welcomed the conference attendees.
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