Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913

Let's Bring Our Families Back

I wanted to share some information on the Gregg Gianforte “Bring Our Families Back” tour that was held at the Cottonwood on June 11, 2015. Gregg and his wife Susan visited with us and we found them to be very informative. They have many ideas on how rural Montana cities and towns could see many Montana folks moving back to their roots and still holding high paying jobs by telecommuting. Gianforte and his wife Susan have called Bozeman home since 1995. They are parents to three boys and a girl and fully understand the concern parents have when their children have to relocate to a different surrounding to make a living.

Greg is an entrepreneur and active mentor of Montana Entrepreneurs, with a focus on job creation in Montana. The opportunity to talk with the person who practically wrote the book on how to have employees work their job from another location (called telecommuting) was fascinating and informative. At the same time, it was nice to visit with people who are very down to earth. Gregg and Susan are sincerely interested in what happens in Montana and are willing to go out and share their knowledge at their own expense. This is something that you rarely see, but is much appreciated when someone does so. They share our belief that our children are our most important asset and, if we can develop ways for them to stay here and make a living, then we should do so. In reality, if ten families moved to any smaller town, it would probably be enough to ensure that the town would stay viable for the next ten years and most likely keep their smaller school open too. Many jobs have the capability to be done through the internet from home or a remote office and ompanies that need those types of employees often encourage their employees to live where they want. Jobs such as architecture, data management, and payroll, to name a few, are very easily done through the internet and I was surprised to learn how many are actually doing their jobs that way now. Gregg handed out brochures with additional information, including a listing of companies that are very supportive of telecommuting. You can get a copy at the local Two Rivers Economic Growth Office, which co-sponsored this event as well.

I think the development of these types of jobs starts right here with us. When they graduate, many students want nothing more than to stay here, have a decent job, and enjoy this area we call home. It's pretty hard to move to blacktop and pavement when you have enjoyed the recreation that we have to offer here, not forgetting the safety of a rural community and knowing your neighbors as well. I believe that we should hold job fairs throughout our county to make sure that graduating students know there is a choice. The day is here, right now, when many college courses are affordable and accessible from home. There are many ways that you can find employment as the internet has opened up many doors we didn’t have just a few years ago. We are fortunate to be so well connected with our local internet provider, Nemont. They have helped make many thing possible. I actually believe that they would be very helpful in starting an educational program for high school students.

You can stay here and make a living in many occupations and telecommuting is a very rewarding way of doing so. I have been fortunate to call Valley County home for all of my life and, with telecommuting, many more will have the same opportunity. As I watch current developments I think there are many who find this place we call home very acceptable and I’m glad they do.

 

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